FEATURE

Residents and Fellows Comprise Inaugural Class of Spanish Language Education Course

10-Week Course Aims to Improve Communication With a Growing Spanish-Speaking Community

Baystate's Office of Graduate Medical Education is offering a Spanish Language Education course designed to improve patient care by increasing physicians' cultural competence and enhancing communication between physicians and patients and their families.

This course, offered free of charge, was developed and is delivered by instructors from the International Language Institute of Massachusetts. Not intended to provide participants with the skills necessary to supplant translation services, it will leave participants feeling more comfortable and capable when serving Spanish-speaking patients. Specifically, it is designed to equip residents with basic Spanish language skills, rudimentary medical Spanish, and rapport building/communication strategies. The current session, which began September 16th, takes place at the North Campus on Tuesday and Wednesday nights from 5:30 to 7:00 pm in a mirrored instruction format so that participants may attend the most convenient session.

Instructor Daniel Cuenca (left) & the Tuesday Night Spanish Language Education Class Back: Dr. John Aboud (Cardiology), Dr. Katrina Lewis (Anesthesiology), Dr. Matthew Kaplan (Anesthesiology), Dr. Ryan Joyce (Anesthesiology), & Dr. Gretchen Coady (Medicine Pediatrics) Front: Dr. George Tsao (Anesthesiology), Dr. Keith White (Academic Affairs), & Dr. Richard Misiaszek (Emergency Medicine).

Impetus For Training Driven By Patient Needs, Residents' Requests & Regulatory Requirements

Baystate serves a community in which a growing number of constituents do not speak English. Less than 70% of Springfield residents consider English their primary language and almost a quarter of the population speak Spanish at home. Trend analyses indicate that the Hispanic population will

continue to expand. Given this local and national trend, cultural competence has been identified as an essential skill-set. More specifically, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) emphasizes cultural competence by requiring a curriculum that addresses Systems-Based Practice (gaining a complete understanding of one’s medical practice), Patient Care, and Interpersonal and Communication Skills.

A collaboration between Baystate’s Human Resources, Access Services, and Academic Affairs offices, the course is an effort to meet resident requests, align with ACGME's core competencies, and support Baystate’s mission.

Future Sessions May Be Open to Expanded Audience

GME plans to offer the course at least annually or more often if there is sufficient demand. Currently open only to residents, there are plans to open future sessions up to faculty, staff, and undergraduate students. Those wanting more information or wishing to participate in future sessions should contact GME Registrar, Paula Wayne at paula.wayne@bhs.org or by phone at 413-794-0884.