taking spanish vs. italian language

[arex]

I took a couple years of Spanish in high school, though now in my sophomore year (of college) I am beginning to take Italian. I would like to take a few years, study abroad in Italy if I get the chance. But with going into medicine, I feel like it'd be more relevant to take Spanish as it would actually prove useful in the future. Any thoughts on taking languages other than Spanish?

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[LikeClockWork]

Take whatever language you enjoy and will do well in. It won't hurt you to not have taken spanish, unless your specific aims are to work primarily in a heavily spanish-speaking population. Just take what makes you happy.

 

[qtpai]

I took a couple years of Spanish in high school, though now in my sophomore year (of college) I am beginning to take Italian. I would like to take a few years, study abroad in Italy if I get the chance. But with going into medicine, I feel like it'd be more relevant to take Spanish as it would actually prove useful in the future. Any thoughts on taking languages other than Spanish?

learn italian, maintain or better yet increase your fluency in spanish in the meantime. if you had to choose between the two, there is no question: spanish.

 

[LawCash]

As a US MD, there's definitely more utility with Spanish, and you should study abroad in a culture where that's the primary language if you decide to take it. You can only learn so much in a classroom.

But Italy would be a very interesting place to spend some time..

 

[Dienekes]

I agree with the idea of taking whatever interests you most. Personally, I am studying German rather than Spanish. However one must keep in mind that I do nothing for just the sake of padding my application so I am something of an abberation around these parts.

Having worked clinically for over a decade, I have only encountered a few cases where there was not someone (a nurse, the janitor, one of the docs, a family member) who did not speaks sufficient Spanish to accomplish what needed to be done. Also keep in mind that just because there is not someone to translate, it does not mean care falls apart. That seems to be a common misconception among premeds. You can handle them just like you would someone who is incomprehensible after a stroke, etc. It probably will piss them off, but they are in our country and they are the one who chose not to learn our language.

 

[qtpai]

I agree with the idea of taking whatever interests you most. Personally, I am studying German rather than Spanish. However one must keep in mind that I do nothing for just the sake of padding my application so I am something of an abberation around these parts.

Having worked clinically for over a decade, I have only encountered a few cases where there was not someone (a nurse, the janitor, one of the docs, a family member) who did not speaks sufficient Spanish to accomplish what needed to be done. Also keep in mind that just because there is not someone to translate, it does not mean care falls apart. That seems to be a common misconception among premeds. You can handle them just like you would someone who is incomprehensible after a stroke, etc. It probably will piss them off, but they are in our country and they are the one who chose not to learn our language.

I think it is terribly presumptuous for you to assume that the majority of people try to learn Spanish before medical school in order to "pad" their applications.

 

[bluesTank]

Spanish would be much much much more useful in the US, especially the Southern states, and especially as a physician.

On another note, Spanish and Italian are both very similar, and you will find it easy to learn one if you know the other. Spanish is a better base though.

I speak spanish and I found it easy to understand my Italian relatives when they came to visit.

 

[Dienekes]

I think it is terribly presumptuous for you to assume that the majority of people try to learn Spanish before medical school in order to "pad" their applications.

Well, most of the premeds I have come to know through a combination of SDN, school and work will not do something if it will not:
a. benefit their application
b. get them laid
c. get them money

Sure, you occasionally get those few people who really love the language or really want to learn it so they can truly help, but most people do not even approach being conversational after a couple of classes. If the majority of them actually wanted to learn Spanish for altruistic reasons, they would be lined up to be immersed in a setting where they are forced to function in it.

I think it is terribly presumptuous of you to assume that a significant number of premeds would not cut the throat of the kid next to them in organic chem if it would make a good bullet on their application.

 

[Drogba]

As you've probably already noticed Spanish and Italian are INCREDIBLY similar languages. Learn Italian if you'd like, building on your Spanish knowledge later, or even at the same time independently will not be that difficult at all.

but they are in our country and they are the one who chose not to learn our language.

This is kind of a simplistic analysis of whats a pretty complicated subject. In the end its about the effective deliver of health care and not moralizing about cultural assimilation.

You can handle them just like you would someone who is incomprehensible after a stroke

Could you elaborate. I've never seen someone care for a patient in this condition, I would be interesting in hearing what the approach is. I agree that its possible to deliver care without boht parties speaking the same language perfectly. I see it done all the time with the patients in a clinic I work at, but I'm always left wondering if things have been communicated appropriately. We deal with some pretty basic health care issues most of the time, I have no idea how this would work if you were trying to manage medical issues with complex treatment plans.

 

[Drogba]

Well, most of the premeds I have come to know through a combination of SDN, school and work will not do something if it will not:
a. benefit their application
b. get them laid
c. get them money

Sure, you occasionally get those few people who really love the language or really want to learn it so they can truly help, but most people do not even approach being conversational after a couple of classes. If the majority of them actually wanted to learn Spanish for altruistic reasons, they would be lined up to be immersed in a setting where they are forced to function in it.

I think it is terribly presumptuous of you to assume that a significant number of premeds would not cut the throat of the kid next to them in organic chem if it would make a good bullet on their application.

Man, I wish I could find an activity that could accomplish all three. Any suggestions :].

 

[Decicco]

Take whatever interests you.

Preferisco la lingua Italaina.

 

[Drogba]

Take whatever interests you.

Preferisco la lingua Italaina.

Sono d'acordo, anch'io la preferisco, pero non credi che siano similissimi? Sei italiano/a?

 

[Dienekes]

Could you elaborate. I've never seen someone care for a patient in this condition, I would be interesting in hearing what the approach is. I agree that its possible to deliver care without boht parties speaking the same language perfectly. I see it done all the time with the patients in a clinic I work at, but I'm always left wondering if things have been communicated appropriately. We deal with some pretty basic health care issues most of the time, I have no idea how this would work if you were trying to manage medical issues with complex treatment plans.

It really depends on what is going on with the patients, but using the example of a stroke patient you are going to test them to see if there is a chemistry issue (hypo- or hyperglycemia for example) that is readily correctable that explains the issue, scan (CT) them to see if they have intracranial bleeding, obtain a 12-lead EKG, some standard blood chemistries, etc. Basically you rely upon what you can either test for or find during the physical examination since you can not obtain a history on the patient. This is a grotesque oversimplification, but if you look around you can find the stroke treatment guidelines.

As for complex treatment plans, you basically operate off of implied consent until proven otherwise. You should still, even if you do it in English, explain what is happening. I should point out that several times I have treated where a patient was thought to be a non-English speaker it turned out that they understood everything that was said. A lot of Mexican patients I have treated seem to understand more English than they let on for whatever reason.

 

[Dienekes]

Man, I wish I could find an activity that could accomplish all three. Any suggestions :].

Run a free clinic for prostitutes and start pimping them out.

 

[qtpai]

Well, most of the premeds I have come to know through a combination of SDN, school and work will not do something if it will not:
a. benefit their application
b. get them laid
c. get them money

Sure, you occasionally get those few people who really love the language or really want to learn it so they can truly help, but most people do not even approach being conversational after a couple of classes. If the majority of them actually wanted to learn Spanish for altruistic reasons, they would be lined up to be immersed in a setting where they are forced to function in it.

I took it to mean that by learning a language, one was truly learning the language. But I see your point.

 

[Drogba]

It really depends on what is going on with the patients, but using the example of a stroke patient you are going to test them to see if there is a chemistry issue (hypo- or hyperglycemia for example) that is readily correctable that explains the issue, scan (CT) them to see if they have intracranial bleeding, obtain a 12-lead EKG, some standard blood chemistries, etc. Basically you rely upon what you can either test for or find during the physical examination since you can not obtain a history on the patient. This is a grotesque oversimplification, but if you look around you can find the stroke treatment guidelines.

Wouldn't you greatly compromise you care in many (maybe not all) situations if thats all you did? Obviously, if we are talking worst case scenarios, trapped in the jungle with no translators, there is nothing you can do (though if you were in the jungle you probably wouldn't be able to do much anyway :]), but with regards to Spanish speaking patients, this scenario is completely preventable.

As for complex treatment plans, you basically operate off of implied consent until proven otherwise. You should still, even if you do it in English, explain what is happening. I should point out that several times I have treated where a patient was thought to be a non-English speaker it turned out that they understood everything that was said. A lot of Mexican patients I have treated seem to understand more English than they let on for whatever reason.

I've noticed this too. Do you think it has to do with shyness/embarrassment in some cases?

 

[Drogba]

Run a free clinic for prostitutes and start pimping them out.

Not only could I accomplish the three aforementioned goals, but I could assure that my girls are clean before having my way with them. Brilliant idea!

 

[Dienekes]

I've noticed this too. Do you think it has to do with shyness/embarrassment in some cases?

Well, maybe. However I've noticed, particularly among men, that they are almost smug about it.

Wouldn't you greatly compromise you care in many (maybe not all) situations if thats all you did?

Not as much as you would think. You have to remember there is truth to that House adage about "Patients lie". Histories tend to be notoriously unreliable among a lot of populations, for various reasons, and while it is important to listen to your patient you can not simply take them at face value just to be "culturally sensitive". Hell, I won't do that with my own family: "In myself I trust....all other are subject to verification."

 

[Decicco]

Sono d'acordo, anch'io la preferisco, pero non credi che siano similissimi? Sei italiano/a?

Buonissimo! Si, sono Italiano (ma un po' tedesco anche)

Learning a new language is a very rewarding experience. You won't realize this until you can communicate freely. Choose a language you are truly interested in, this will have little (if any) effect on your application.

 

[Dienekes]

Not only could I accomplish the three aforementioned goals, but I could assure that my girls are clean before having my way with them. Brilliant idea!

And you would probably win a public health award for limiting the spread of VD in your area. BTW, I demand at least partial credit for the part of this that doesn't involve you pimping. 😉

 

[GreenShirt]

I would go with Spanish, not for the sake of your application but because it is a handy language to know in the US. I took 8 yrs of French from Junior High to Sophomore year of college and I regret it now that I'm in medical school. I'm sure that I'll have interpreters where ever I work, but it would be helpful nonetheless. Italian might be fun to learn and maybe you'll travel to Italy a few times in your life, but you'll probably forget most of what you learn.

 

[Drogba]

Well, maybe. However I've noticed, particularly among men, that they are almost smug about it.

I've noticed this once or twice, but this is also because my sample size is very small. Strange behavior.

Not as much as you would think. You have to remember there is truth to that House adage about "Patients lie". Histories tend to be notoriously unreliable among a lot of populations, for various reasons, and while it is important to listen to your patient you can not simply take them at face value just to be "culturally sensitive". Hell, I won't do that with my own family: "In myself I trust....all other are subject to verification."

Nothing is more frustrating than having relayed information to a doctor right before the patient contradicts everything you thought they told you.

 

[Drogba]

And you would probably win a public health award for limiting the spread of VD in your area. BTW, I demand at least partial credit for the part of this that doesn't involve you pimping. 😉

Could I just give you access to my cleanest? This idea just has so many benefits I'm surprised it hasn't been implemented already (or has it?).

 

[luv2sd]

take spanish, study abroad in spain, and spend a summer in mexico doing any kind of clinical stuff

 

[laawalla]

If you like it, I would stick with Italian-it's different than a lot of people, and since you've already started in it, you will probably be able to get close to fluent after your study abroad.
I think being able to say you speak one language very very well, and you've worked hard at it is better than "I took such and such language" if you can't really speak it. So basically just pick one, but focus on it and study there so if anyone says do you speak italian/spanish, you can respond right away IN that language...quality over quantity.

Anch'io ho parlato italiano 4 anni, e ho studiato un anno all'Università di Bologna.

 

[arex]

If you like it, I would stick with Italian-it's different than a lot of people, and since you've already started in it, you will probably be able to get close to fluent after your study abroad.
I think being able to say you speak one language very very well, and you've worked hard at it is better than "I took such and such language" if you can't really speak it. So basically just pick one, but focus on it and study there so if anyone says do you speak italian/spanish, you can respond right away IN that language...quality over quantity.

Anch'io ho parlato italiano 4 anni, e ho studiato un anno all'Università di Bologna.

i've only been taking italian for a couple weeks, but i think you're saying you've spoken italian for 4 years and studied for a year at the university of bologna? if so that's awesome, was your program set up so that you could take whatever classes you wanted? i was hoping to study abroad for maybe a quarter of next year but i have to take biochem all year next year, not sure how that would work while being abroad.

 

[Dienekes]

Could I just give you access to my cleanest? This idea just has so many benefits I'm surprised it hasn't been implemented already (or has it?).

It probably has been done before. Personally, I'd rather take the bullet on my CV than a little ***** love. They are both the gift that keeps on giving, but the former has less associated purulent discharge.