Improving linguistic and cultural competence in the health sector: a medical Spanish curriculum for resident physicians

Abstract

Existing medical Spanish curricula have improved language skills, but are incompatible with resident-physician schedules, and do not always integrate cultural education. A 2009 survey at our institution revealed that residents saw Spanish-speaking patients regularly and wanted a medical Spanish curriculum designed for them. Our objective was to improve medical Spanish and cultural competency among resident physicians at our institution. Kramsch's (1998) principle of combining language and cultural instruction, Gardner's (1983) theory of multiple intelligences, and the American Council for the Teaching of Foreign Languages 5Cs provided a framework for the self-directed curriculum, which consisted of nine-month long modules with online and in-person grammar, vocabulary, listening comprehension and conversation practice. We conducted pre-intervention, midterm and final assessments of language and cultural competency. We found moderate correlations between the number of modules completed and self-reported fluency, understanding of health-related cultural beliefs, and change in receptive language. While revisions are necessary, we found a self-directed resident medical Spanish curriculum, combining language and cultural instruction, to be feasible.