POLL: Turning away Spanish-Speaking patients?

[darkmatter]

I lived in a place predominantly Latino, which is truly a lively place (fiestas every month). While it's not proper to force someone to learn a language, it is more appropriate for peoples to share culture. In our public library, we have a volunteer tutor service where anyone could teach English to immigrants and learn that immigrant's language as well. Therefore, learning languages shouldn't be one-sided... the main goal is to bring people closer through active communication, and that can be achieved by learning from each other.

I'm glad everyone's into learning Spanish! I don't post much, but I'll contribute by giving you the Spanish alphabet:

El alfabeto...
a, be, ce, de, e, efe, ge, hache, i, jota, ka, ele, eme, ene, en~e (pronounced enye), o, pe, cu, ere, erre, ese, te, u, ve, doble ve, equis, y griega, zeta.

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[CANES2006]

I apologize once more, racerx. But, I know how to make it up to you.

RACERX IS THE BOMB!!!!!! AND CANES2006 WAS BEING A MEANIE TO HIM.

Better? You are now entitled to play a trick on me in the near future. But, only one. I can't get too generous. :wink:

 

[2DEG]

Completely agree with Lavndrrose. Don't waste your time on people who have such a narrow view. Medicine, out of all profession should be 'to care for fellow human beings regardless their race, gender, whatever!'

Here is my 2 cents regarding spanish speaking patients. I don't think the doctor should charge a single cent more to the spanish speaking patient. By having a spanish speaking staff, you are paying his/her salary, but at the same time you are getting more patients (customers if you will) too.

And lastly, whoever said spanish people should be turned away and should be sent back to mexico to learn english, I hope and pray that people like that will not become 'doctors'.

Sincerely,
S.

 

[racerx]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by CANES2006:
•I apologize once more, racerx. But, I know how to make it up to you.

RACERX IS THE BOMB!!!!!! AND CANES2006 WAS BEING A MEANIE TO HIM.

Better? You are now entitled to play a trick on me in the near future. But, only one. I can't get too generous. :wink: •••••LOL!!! I'm going to put the gimme trick in the bank and hold it for a while. It might draw interest.

Maybe as my trick, someday I'll let my daughter (age 6) debate you, with me typing so as to not give it away too soon. She's like a pit bull, yet makes even less sense than I do in a debate. Her debates a kind of like the Gettysburg Address, if Lincoln was on LSD.
Oh yeah...you're gonna be toast. <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

 

[THE instiGATOR]

Many people have replied to the poll (which is based on a lie...nobody said they would turn a Spanish speaking person away). It appears that only 53% are willing to take the initiative to learn the language. Maybe this is horrific or disgusting news to some of you, but it really doesn't surprise me. Some people are idealists and think that physicians can do anything and everything. Other people are realists and understand that things will work themselves out if left alone. Conclusion to this poll: Med schools don't need to require Spanish. Ok, maybe not. Seriously, though, it should only be an elective. What is being removed to make room for this Spanish lecture/course?

 

[med student]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by THE instiGATOR:
•Many people have replied to the poll (which is based on a lie...nobody said they would turn a Spanish speaking person away). It appears that only 53% are willing to take the initiative to learn the language. Maybe this is horrific or disgusting news to some of you, but it really doesn't surprise me. Some people are idealists and think that physicians can do anything and everything. Other people are realists and understand that things will work themselves out if left alone. Conclusion to this poll: Med schools don't need to require Spanish. Ok, maybe not. Seriously, though, it should only be an elective. What is being removed to make room for this Spanish lecture/course?•••••to answer the question sort of at my school spanish is an elective which is taught at night so it doesn't interfer with other classes and that is the way it should be. I do not like the idea of making it manditory.

 

[daisygirl]

•••quote:•••In our public library, we have a volunteer tutor service where anyone could teach English to immigrants and learn that immigrant's language as well. Therefore, learning languages shouldn't be one-sided... the main goal is to bring people closer through active communication, and that can be achieved by learning from each other.
••••That is really cool. I wish someone around me would tutor spanish to me in the library!

 

[mongoose]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by UrSexyLatinDr:
•There are some doctors that are awesome, they do almost the impossible to help their patients, but again, there are some Doctors that are total as**oles, they are only in the field because of the money, those people just piss me off. How would you feel if you are ill, go see a d. and they freaggin turn you away just because of the language barrier. How will a dr. be such a punk to charge the extra money to the patient for a translator, come on, most of these patients are minority, very low income people. People who think like that and are planning to be Physicians better learn spanish and treat their patients as they would like to be treated, not treat them like animals and turn them away. •••••So, maybe you could clarify: Who said they would turn a patient away?

And, how dare any doctor think they have the right to charge for a service like a translator. Don't they know they should be giving free services to anyone who needs them?

 

[mongoose]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by UrSexyLatinDr:
•mongoose you are full of it, damn it, why people like you have to go into the medical profession, people who dont even know what the hell they are talking about. Do you even know why people come to this country? They come to work on the american dream, to make their lifes better, to try to get out of the hole of poverty. How do u expect them to learn english while here if they have the ugliest jobs? Jobs that Most anglos wont do, If it wasnt for migrant workers, USA economy wouldnt be as it is today, lets say Cali, 60% of Americas economy is dependable on cali, why is cali so important? for its agricultural jobs, jobs that anglos wont do. Now, you say to send them back to their country? if you dont have something good to say keep your mouth SHUT! I am really pissed, I came from Mexico 6 years ago, my parents work in the farms, I do, too and its really hard to go to school and have the type of job. I know my people, thats why I am talking like this, Damn it, just dont talk that kind of ****.•••••First, I would like to know where you get your numbers and opinions from. The american economy is much less dependent on cheap labor than you may think. And if you and your family are adopting the american culture as your own and learning english, then you are more than welcome in my book. I feel anyone should have the opportunity to live in america. BUT living in america is NOT a right to which you are entitled. It is a privilege that you should have. But with that privilege you should have the responsibility to adopt american values. That is all I'm saying. And if you are not adopting american values and learning english, then you should go back from whence you came.

 

[vixen]

I think some of you are confused on here...if you read through the posts, most of us who agree that immigrants SHOULD REALLY TRY and learn english WOULD NOT turn away spanish speaking patients...

I'm not going to rewrite my post, but I'll say this quickly...immigrants really should learn english (for themselves and everybody else) and I would never turn away ANY non-english speaking patient...

 

[time quaker]

I'm more riled up by Mongoose's comment about sending them back (3rd post on this thread). You'll have non-english speakers sitting on the street bleeding to death because if they go to the doctor he will treat them and then have them sent back to Mexico. Doesn't matter if they are in the country completely legally.

So now the consensus is that they "should learn English." What does that realy mean? Do we enforce that? "Oh you've been here 5 years sir and you can't speak English still? I treated you last time but this time I'm not going to give you a prescription"

Obese people should lose weight. Smokers should stop smoking. Now these are two American values (what is an american value?) that could save healthcare millions of dollars.

 

[mongoose]

•••quote:•••Originally posted by time quaker:
•I'm more riled up by Mongoose's comment about sending them back (3rd post on this thread). You'll have non-english speakers sitting on the street bleeding to death because if they go to the doctor he will treat them and then have them sent back to Mexico. Doesn't matter if they are in the country completely legally.

So now the consensus is that they "should learn English." What does that realy mean? Do we enforce that? "Oh you've been here 5 years sir and you can't speak English still? I treated you last time but this time I'm not going to give you a prescription"

Obese people should lose weight. Smokers should stop smoking. Now these are two American values (what is an american value?) that could save healthcare millions of dollars.•••••First, it is not just Mexicans to which I am referring. I don't care if God sent them down here from Heaven, if they can't speak English I say we send their crusty asses right back. I will say that everyone should be entitled to a "grace period", say maybe six months. If they don't have at least a basic understanding of English by then, they should be sent back to their homeland until they decide they REALLY want to be in this country and can make a sacrifice of their time to learn some basic English. And the issue is not saving healthcare millions of dollars. The issue is foreigners that don't respect our country and think they are entitled to live here and enjoy the benefits without putting forth any effort.

 

[dustinspeer]

I guess I just don't think that access to healthcare is a Constitutional right. Seems like more of a priviledge to me.

 

[marleybfour]

As an immigant to this great country, it is MY responsibility to learn the language to the best of my ability. When in Rome......

As a doctor I wouldn't turn someone away who doesn't speak English, but I would ask them to bring a translator.

I applaud those docs who attempt to learn another language to better serve their patients. They are going above and beyond.

 

[mongoose]

Outstanding post, marley