Wake Forest the First Med School to Require SPANISH

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
•••quote:•••Originally posted by mongoose:
[QB]Das ist sehr richtig, Swamp. Ich denke, da? sie eine guten idee haben. Eine Sprache f?r eine Welt. Es w?rde alles einfacher machen. Deutsch ist besser als spanisch. Aber Englisch ist besser als alles. Wo kommst deine Gro?vater im Deutschland?

[QB]••••GENAU! Deutsch IST besser als Spanisch! Aber Englisch ist NICHT besser als alles! In Deutsch kann man zum Beispiel Dinge viel schoener beschreiben weil es einfach mehr Woerter gibt! Meiner Ansicht nach soll jeder "ausgebildeter" Mensch eine Fremdsprache sprechen koennen! Spanisch ist ueberbewertet in den USA...wir sollen auch die Europaeische Sprachen lernen....

Uebrigens....Menschen die nach Amerika wandern sollten sich auch bemuehen Englisch zu lernen...als ich in Deutschland lebte, musste ich auch die Sprache lernen! Wenn wir jetzt alles auch in Spanisch machen, werden die Leute NIE Englisch lernen!!!

Kris
Members don't see this ad.
 
Poor poor Foxy! You feel left out, don't you? :(

Sollst du Deutsch gelernen. Denn kannst du uns verstehen! Bwa ha ha!!!

I'm like mongoose. I hack German up when I try to write it. I can read it pretty well. Unfortunately, I can't understand spoken German too well. I'm always left saying, "NICHT SO SCHNELL!!!".
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by momofthree:
• •••quote:•••Originally posted by mongoose:
[QB]Das ist sehr richtig, Swamp. Ich denke, da? sie eine guten idee haben. Eine Sprache f?r eine Welt. Es w?rde alles einfacher machen. Deutsch ist besser als spanisch. Aber Englisch ist besser als alles. Wo kommst deine Gro?vater im Deutschland?

[QB]••••GENAU! Deutsch IST besser als Spanisch! Aber Englisch ist NICHT besser als alles! In Deutsch kann man zum Beispiel Dinge viel schoener beschreiben weil es einfach mehr Woerter gibt! Meiner Ansicht nach soll jeder "ausgebildeter" Mensch eine Fremdsprache sprechen koennen! Spanisch ist ueberbewertet in den USA...wir sollen auch die Europaeische Sprachen lernen....

Uebrigens....Menschen die nach Amerika wandern sollten sich auch bemuehen Englisch zu lernen...als ich in Deutschland lebte, musste ich auch die Sprache lernen! Wenn wir jetzt alles auch in Spanisch machen, werden die Leute NIE Englisch lernen!!!

Kris•••••I know this is a crappy translation from a website, but I was curious as to what you wrote:

"EXACTLY! German IS better than Spanish! But English is not better than everything! Into German one can for example of things many more beautifully describe because it simply more words gives! In my opinion each "more trained" humans are to be able to speak a foreign language! Spanish is overestimated in the USA... we are also the European languages to learn.... By the way....Menschen those to America to move should also strive English to learn... as I in Germany lived, had I also the language to learn! Even if we make everything now in Spanish, the people will never learn English!!! "

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I am all for new-comers to learn English when they get to the U.S.-I teach English as a second language to some of my school's dining hall employees so they can advance in their jobs. However, as health care-givers, I don't think we should hold it against anyone if they haven't learned English yet. We should not make health care an obstacle just because of a language barrier. I have seen Peruvian lawyers work as maids, for example---because they are still learning English. No one ever said that Hispanics were not trying to learn English, we would just be helping them out so they could attain appropriate health care.

In addition, I think mandatory language classes DO hold some other hidden benefits. For instance, it would put us in the shoes of our patients that are trying to learn a new language--then we would appreciate their struggle more.
 
Members don't see this ad :)
good points dra foxy :)
 
wait, momofthree, did you say german is a better language than spanish?
 
Wow! That translator you are using sucks!!! Does it work for all languages? Maybe I'll use it to decipher your Spanish! :D
 
Let business run its course, people! As I've said, physicians who want business will learn Spanish. Hispanics who want advancement and greater options for service will learn English. A balance will happen, even with an increased Hispanic population. It's capitalism at its best!
 
Hm, maybe we should deny our services to non-English speakers until they learn it. What a great idea! :rolleyes: Then maybe all the sick non-English speakers will just die off..... :rolleyes:

Sorry, but I don't intend to run my practice like a business. I'm there to be a doctor, not to make money. But that's just me, I don't care how anyone else handles their own "business"
 
One last thing... Peruvian lawyers probably don't know jack **** about American laws! :D <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> :D I wouldn't want them serving as my attourney! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

I've been feelin' a little frisky lately. Maybe I should simmah down now, simmah down!
 
Businesses provide services. Doctors provide services. Businesses get paid for their services. Doctors get paid for their services. If you don't run your practice like a business, I certainly hope you pay someone to do it for you. :D

Not all patients present life-or-death conditions.
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by Swamp Syphilis, anyone?:
•One last thing... Peruvian lawyers probably don't know jack **** about American laws! :D <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> :D I wouldn't want them serving as my attourney! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

I've been feelin' a little frisky lately. Maybe I should simmah down now, simmah down!•••••Oh, the point I was trying to make was that educated people are forced to work janitorial jobs b/c of the language barrier, which is unfortunate. There's nothing I can do about that, though, but I won't deny them health care because of it.

p.s. I was exaggerating just a little on that last post. :)
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by Doctorcita Foxy:
• •••quote:•••Originally posted by Swamp Syphilis, anyone?:
•One last thing... Peruvian lawyers probably don't know jack **** about American laws! :D <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" /> :D I wouldn't want them serving as my attourney! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" />

I've been feelin' a little frisky lately. Maybe I should simmah down now, simmah down!•••••Oh, the point I was trying to make was that educated people are forced to work janitorial jobs b/c of the language barrier, which is unfortunate. There's nothing I can do about that, though, but I won't deny them health care because of it.

p.s. I was exaggerating just a little on that last post. :) •••••I never said I'd deny a Hispanic person service. I will try my best to provide a service to him/her. If I am unable to do this, I will have to rely on the assistance of a translator...which will cost money. Who do you suppose should have to eat the fee required to pay this translator, me or the patient? A translator is as legit a component in the treatment of a patient as is a drug, which is paid for by the patient. If a person needs a translator, he/she should pay for one.

This is just how I see things. I don't know if translator fees are actually billable, but I think they should be. Learn English or be charged for a service needed for treatment, or find yourself a physician who speaks Spanish.
 
•[/QUOTE]GENAU! Deutsch IST besser als Spanisch! Aber Englisch ist NICHT besser als alles! In Deutsch kann man zum Beispiel Dinge viel schoener beschreiben weil es einfach mehr Woerter gibt! Meiner Ansicht nach soll jeder "ausgebildeter" Mensch eine Fremdsprache sprechen koennen! Spanisch ist ueberbewertet in den USA...wir sollen auch die Europaeische Sprachen lernen....

Uebrigens....Menschen die nach Amerika wandern sollten sich auch bemuehen Englisch zu lernen...als ich in Deutschland lebte, musste ich auch die Sprache lernen! Wenn wir jetzt alles auch in Spanisch machen, werden die Leute NIE Englisch lernen!!!

Kris•[/QUOTE]I know this is a crappy translation from a website, but I was curious as to what you wrote:

"EXACTLY! German IS better than Spanish! But English is not better than everything! Into German one can for example of things many more beautifully describe because it simply more words gives! In my opinion each "more trained" humans are to be able to speak a foreign language! Spanish is overestimated in the USA... we are also the European languages to learn.... By the way....Menschen those to America to move should also strive English to learn... as I in Germany lived, had I also the language to learn! Even if we make everything now in Spanish, the people will never learn English!!! "
[/QB][/QUOTE]

That was a hysterical translation, though it was kind of accurate...obviously, due to differences in grammar and language nuances, a direct word-for-word translation isn't possible:D

Translation:

German is better than Spanish (no offense Docorocita Foxy...that's just a personal opinion stab that I was making..I love Spanish and Italian too!) But english is not better than everything. (ie all other languages bad german grammar). For example, it is possible to describe things more beautifully in german because the language simply has more words. In my opinion, every 'educated' individual should be able to speak a second language. Spanish is overvalued in the USA...we should also learn other european languages.

In addition, people that immigrate to the US should also work to learn english. When I lived in germany, I had to learn the language. If we make everything in Spanish, then people will never learn english. (you can't really translate that sentence the way that I 'mean' it or the way that it comes out when it is said)

Here is my take on language education. The only way to really learn a language is to be immersed in it. Yes, taking classes will help you learn the verbs, nouns and a bit of the grammar...but when I went overseas as an exchange student in college, there was a little oversight...I ended up in the dorms with the german students instead of all of the Americans...at the end of the journey, I was the only one to leave speaking fluent german. Why? Because I had NO CHOICE! No one spoke english with me, and all of my classes were in german (I opted not to take the german for foreigners classes, but instead jumped into the college curriculum). By the end of 3 monts, things were clicking for me and I even started dreaming in German. My American contemporaries went to german for foreigners every morning and then hung out for the rest of the day, like many non-english speaking foreigners in this country. If they have to learn the language to speak to customers, fill out federal forms, etc...then they will....it may be a bit painful...but in the long run you are doing them a favor.

Kris
 
Members don't see this ad :)
•••quote:•••Originally posted by matthew0126:
•i guess i'm against the flow here. i *looooove* how spanish sounds, latino culture, latino dance/music, and latino food, flavors. in fact, i'm gonna take some spanish without anyone asking sometime in the future.

but i don't like the idea of forcing ne1 to take a language. a lot of med schools offer their students the option of taking it, which i think is a much better choice. for example, say you want to practice eventually in edmonton, alberta -- do you really think spanish would be as useful there as it woiuld be in san diego, california? i think it's best to let med students decide for themselves.•••••Then don't apply to schools that will make Spanish mandatory. Schools that have or will, do so because they serve a large Spanish-speaking population or it's part of thier mission to train doctors that among other things will be able to communicate with such patients.

If you don't want to see such patients or plan to incorporate another fee (charging patients for a translator) to an already bloated healthcare system, then like I said those that share you view should only apply to schools that don't have such a mission.

It's pretty disheartening to hear your comment about wanting your patient learn English before you learn Spanish and or charging them for a fee.

I won't be turning any patients down based on thier language and I won't be giving them a referal to a ESL class before they can come and see me.
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by Swamp Syphilis, anyone?:
• •••quote:•••Originally posted by brontehardyeliot:
•Some of the opinions being expressed in this thread are downright scary. Several members of my husband's family don't speak English fluently, and I hope that they are always treated by compassionate physicians who respect their diversity. That said, I think more medical schools should follow Wake Forest's lead and make Spanish a requirement.•••••YES!!! I've scared one person today. Mission accomplished!

If I want Italian food, I go to an Italian restaurant. If I want Chinese food, I go to a Chinese restaurant. If a Spanish speaking person wants medical attention and is unwilling or unable to converse in English, he/she should go to a Spanish speaking physician. Like some have said...it's about supply and demand! If, as a physician, I cannot cater to Hispanic folk, they won't seek my services. Instead, they will go to another physician...Dra. Foxy, for instance. If I want their business (yes, medicine is a business), I'll learn the language.

Nothing scary about it...•••••Cool deal. Okay, as you may or may not know, LA has a HUGE Spanish-speaking population. If these folks should ONLY seek doctors that can understand their language, would it not be fair for schools to preferentially accept Spanish-speaking applicants to cater to these people? After all, supply and demand, right?
 
You were dreaming in German, momofthree? Now that's interesting. Did you count German sheep to fall asleep?

Ein, zwei, drei, fier, funf, sex, seben... <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />
 
WaitingImpatiently, LA also has a large population of blacks, Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipinos, Koreans, etc. (you get my drift)..that's why CA med schools can't preferably accept only Spanish-speaking applicants. It wouldn't be fair to the other minorities!

Why should we cater only to the Spanish-speaking population when other minorities are left out in the dark? I say, if we cater (i.e., learn their language) to one group, might as well cater to ALL!
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by mongoose:
• •••quote:•••Originally posted by
•

"I want to help people, but only if they speak OUR language" just doesn't cut it.•••••I say we help them all we can. Then send their non-English speaking asses back from whence they came. As in deport those that can't speak our language.•••••Mongoose, did you get into medical school?! Did you voice your racist and xenophobic ideas during your interviews? Can you please let me know what school accepted you? I want to know so I can tell me friends to steer clear from that particular school for at least the four years you'll be there.
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by WaitingImpatiently:
• •••quote:•••Originally posted by Swamp Syphilis, anyone?:
• •••quote:•••Originally posted by brontehardyeliot:
•Some of the opinions being expressed in this thread are downright scary. Several members of my husband's family don't speak English fluently, and I hope that they are always treated by compassionate physicians who respect their diversity. That said, I think more medical schools should follow Wake Forest's lead and make Spanish a requirement.•••••YES!!! I've scared one person today. Mission accomplished!

If I want Italian food, I go to an Italian restaurant. If I want Chinese food, I go to a Chinese restaurant. If a Spanish speaking person wants medical attention and is unwilling or unable to converse in English, he/she should go to a Spanish speaking physician. Like some have said...it's about supply and demand! If, as a physician, I cannot cater to Hispanic folk, they won't seek my services. Instead, they will go to another physician...Dra. Foxy, for instance. If I want their business (yes, medicine is a business), I'll learn the language.

Nothing scary about it...•••••Cool deal. Okay, as you may or may not know, LA has a HUGE Spanish-speaking population. If these folks should ONLY seek doctors that can understand their language, would it not be fair for schools to preferentially accept Spanish-speaking applicants to cater to these people? After all, supply and demand, right?•••••Supply and demand would dictate that Spanish speaking people will seek out the few physicians that do speak Spanish. If the population is as huge as you say (which I don't doubt), non-Spanish speaking physicians will follow suit and learn the language.

I'm not saying physicians SHOULDN'T EVER learn Spanish. I'm saying that there is no need to force people to learn it. If a need exists, the language will be learned. This can be said for both physician and patient.

About med schools needing to train physicians... A doc going to UCLA is in no way committed to practice in LA. I don't know where this logic arises.

Physicians who charge fees for translators (Which may or may not be me in the future. Who knows? I may be inspired.) can be factored into the supply and demand equation also. If one doesn't want to go to Joe Blow physician #1, who uses a costly translator, he/she can visit Joe Blow physician #2, who doesn't need a translator because he/she is fluent in Spanish.
 
momofthree:

Ich denke, da? Deutscher eine gro?e Sprache ist. Aber ich denke auch, da? Englisch besser ist.

Swamp:

Thanks for noticing how badly I butcher the German language. At least I try, though. German is a very difficult language because of the big differences in word order, articles, verb conjugation, and gender. It is confusing, but I love the way it sounds. I think it sounds intimidating and powerful instead of gay like the romance languages.

Foxy:

for some reason I sense that it annoys you when someone speaks a language you don't understand. I bet you are the kinda gal that gets on the elevator with foreigners and gets irritated when you can't understand teh conversation. Ist das richtig?
 
Sorry, of topic...I just absolutely love the way French sounds. <img border="0" alt="[Lovey]" title="" src="graemlins/lovey.gif" />
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by Doctorcita Foxy:
•Hm, maybe we should deny our services to non-English speakers until they learn it. What a great idea! Then maybe all the sick non-English speakers will just die off..... •••••I really like the way this sounds!! Now you"re talkin'!!

I figure Geramn is a better language to learn because those crazy f***ers already tried to take over the world once (or was it twice). If they try again and succeed, at least I will be able to talk to everybody.
 
Just a reminder:
<a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_modern.html" target="_blank">http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_modern.html</a>
:rolleyes:
 
Wow, mongoose! You really like to set yourself up for quality arguments. You should come with a warning lable, like cigarettes!

When you read the posts of mongoose, people, think A. Caveman. Extreme language is effective in inciting debate.

I just hope you are up for the discussions you invoke, man. I'd rather avoid heated debates.
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by brontehardyeliot:
•Just a reminder:
<a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_modern.html" target="_blank">http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_modern.html</a>
:rolleyes: •••••What does the oath have to do with this debate? Knowledge of every language, or even more than one language, is not and should not be expected of physicians. :confused:

I'm really not that passionate about this issue. I'm merely presenting opinion B to keep opinion A in check. Call me the devil's advocate if you like. Heck, call me the devil if it suits you. :wink:
 
Learning medical spanish is not the same as being fluent in the spanish language. One is a subset of the other. This is a BIG distinction.

Okay, for all of you that don't want to learn Spanish at all, you can follow the course of supply and demand that you have previously cited and not go to a school with required medical spanish courses. Just don't go there! Problem solved, supply and demand!

As for people that don't know english yet, many of them just aren't fluent or comfortable with their fluency YET -- it doesn't mean they aren't trying. Just because your high and mighty ancestors learned english when they came here doesn't mean they learned it in one day, or before they arrived.

And as said many times before, we are almost ALL immigrants, so to look down on immigrants because they don't fit in with your idea of *America* or *American culture* is hypocritical and foolish.

Now the real meat of the issue is this: depending on where you practice, and in what area of medicine, you *may* encounter a lot of patients that do not speak your language well. If you are serious about providing your patients with the best possible care, you will make an effort to enhcance your ability to communicate with them. You can do that by hiring a translator, or you can do it by learning the portion of their language that deals with medicine. As for me, I know I will have spanish speaking patients, and I want to know as much medical spanish as I can. It will make me a more effective doctor.

But each person should do as they wish. If you don't want to learn medical spanish, don't go to Wake Forest, or any other school that follows suit. Simple.
 
I almost forgot:

Medical Spanish BOOYAH
 
Maybe I'm naive and idealistic, but I do think it has something to do with it. :) And of course I don't think an MD should have to know every language (I'm not THAT naive), but I think that the focus of being a doctor should be treating patients. I just think that's getting lost in this whole discussion of treating or not treating Spanish-speaking patients with or without translators and the focus on medicine as a business.

And if all you're doing is playing devil's advocate, I must say you're doing an excellent job. :)
 
El Swampy Diablo?!!!
 
If my med school wants to make us learn Spanish, I'll learn it. Hell, P Chem is required for my major! I'm learning that crap!

I'm merely breaking it down from an economical perspective. It would be nice if all physicians wanted to or could do everything under the sun to better treat their patients, but it ain't gonna happen! You've gotta break it down from every angle.
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by jmejia1:
•Mongoose, did you get into medical school?! Did you voice your racist and xenophobic ideas during your interviews? Can you please let me know what school accepted you? I want to know so I can tell me friends to steer clear from that particular school for at least the four years you'll be there.•••••Callin' me racist and you don't have a clue. There is absolutely nothing racist about it, friend. I say if you can't respect a country enough to assimilate into the society, then don't freakin' move there. That's all. I would never move to a spanish speaking country BECAUSE I DON'T SPEAK SPANISH. I would not move to a spanish speaking country because I would want to show enough respect to their culture as to know enough of the language and customs to fit in like a normal person. Since I can't do that, I won't move to a spanish speaking country. That does not imply racism in the least.
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by Lavndrrose:
•WaitingImpatiently, LA also has a large population of blacks, Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipinos, Koreans, etc. (you get my drift)..that's why CA med schools can't preferably accept only Spanish-speaking applicants. It wouldn't be fair to the other minorities!

Why should we cater only to the Spanish-speaking population when other minorities are left out in the dark? I say, if we cater (i.e., learn their language) to one group, might as well cater to ALL!•••••All righty then... so med schools should accept more students who speak "black" and Asian languages, right? I don't know what "black" language is, but I do know that Asians fill a disproportionately high number of med school spots, so that base is covered.

Look, if half the population in a city only speaks Spanish (I made that number up), wouldn't it be reasonable for med schools to HIGHLY RECOMMEND (I actually don't like the Spanish requirement, either, but I can see both sides to the coin) that their students learn the language to cater to the population? Doctors serve the people. Period.
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by mongoose:
• •••quote:•••Originally posted by jmejia1:
•Mongoose, did you get into medical school?! Did you voice your racist and xenophobic ideas during your interviews? Can you please let me know what school accepted you? I want to know so I can tell me friends to steer clear from that particular school for at least the four years you'll be there.•••••Callin' me racist and you don't have a clue. There is absolutely nothing racist about it, friend. I say if you can't respect a country enough to assimilate into the society, then don't freakin' move there. That's all. I would never move to a spanish speaking country BECAUSE I DON'T SPEAK SPANISH. I would not move to a spanish speaking country because I would want to show enough respect to their culture as to know enough of the language and customs to fit in like a normal person. Since I can't do that, I won't move to a spanish speaking country. That does not imply racism in the least.•••••America is supposedly the best country in the world. THAT'S why people move here, not so that they can learn to speak English.

But yes, I do think that more people should at least make an effort to learn the language. However, my parents don't know English very well. They can get by in small talk and casual conversation, but they probably would need a translator if their doctor spoke only English. Fortunately for them, there are TONS of Chinese-speaking docs here in LA.
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by WaitingImpatiently:
• •••quote:•••Originally posted by Lavndrrose:
•WaitingImpatiently, LA also has a large population of blacks, Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipinos, Koreans, etc. (you get my drift)..that's why CA med schools can't preferably accept only Spanish-speaking applicants. It wouldn't be fair to the other minorities!

Why should we cater only to the Spanish-speaking population when other minorities are left out in the dark? I say, if we cater (i.e., learn their language) to one group, might as well cater to ALL!•••••All righty then... so med schools should accept more students who speak "black" and Asian languages, right? I don't know what "black" language is, but I do know that Asians fill a disproportionately high number of med school spots, so that base is covered.

Look, if half the population in a city only speaks Spanish (I made that number up), wouldn't it be reasonable for med schools to HIGHLY RECOMMEND (I actually don't like the Spanish requirement, either, but I can see both sides to the coin) that their students learn the language to cater to the population? Doctors serve the people. Period.•••••Med students don't treat patients, physicians do. Sure...you will have lone run-ins with patients during your third and fourth years, but does this warrant such a strong emphasis on language learning. Look at the match lists for UCLA and UM. I'm sure the people don't all stick around.
 
•••quote:•••All righty then... so med schools should accept more students who speak "black" and Asian languages, right? I don't know what "black" language is ••••African immigrants who may only speak their native languages :)
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by daisygirl:
• •••quote:•••All righty then... so med schools should accept more students who speak "black" and Asian languages, right? I don't know what "black" language is ••••African immigrants who may only speak their native languages :) •••••As well as Haitian immigrants who speak French-Creole, and other carribean-island immigrants.
 
[/QUOTE]I say if you can't respect a country enough to assimilate into the society, then don't freakin' move there. That's all. I would never move to a spanish speaking country BECAUSE I DON'T SPEAK SPANISH.[/QB][/QUOTE]

1. not everyone has the freedom to choose so freely - some people may come to escape war, famine, persecution. how many of these people do you think really WANTED to leave their friends, family, homeland, and everything they ever knew? why shouldn't they seek out others with a similar language/culture/experiences to help them feel welcome in a foreign country? and if this hinders their "assimilation" do you really think we should just ship them back to whatever horrors they fled from?

2. german is an ugly language. hach bach schticken glocknicht! <img border="0" alt="[Laughy]" title="" src="graemlins/laughy.gif" />

3. french rules!

4. i'm also working on the espanol, foxy!

5. if you're offended by this requirement, don't go to wake forest. leave or open up a spot for meeeee! :clap:
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by WaitingImpatiently:
Look, if half the population in a city only speaks Spanish (I made that number up), wouldn't it be reasonable for med schools to HIGHLY RECOMMEND (I actually don't like the Spanish requirement, either, but I can see both sides to the coin) that their students learn the language to cater to the population? Doctors serve the people. Period.••••Yes, I agree with you that it's extremely important. I'm mainly trying to bring up the point that there are many other minorities other than Spanish-speaking ones in LA. You're telling me that doctors serve the people? Shouldn't ALL minorites be included in this category? I plan to serve ALL people, not just Spanish-speaking ones. Anyways, how can one 4th year class make a difference, anyhow? I took four years of it myself and it's hard enough to understand someone when they're speaking very rapidly. Don't get me wrong, I have every intention of sharpening my Spanish skills. I just don't think it's right that we put so much emphasis on one immigrant population while our WHOLE country is consisted of immigrants!

Oh, and thanks for telling me that doctors serve "the people"...like I didn't know that. :rolleyes:

Sorry, I hope I didn't offend anyone. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />
 
I agree that we should definitely serve all minorities. I think the reason why so much emphasis is placed on the Hispanic minority is because it will be the LARGEST minority in several years, and it is already the largest in Florida.

And no, the few weeks of Spanish that Wake Forest is proposing probably won't make a real difference, but I don't think it hurts to start somewhere. :)
 
there's a huge somali population in minnesota. that would be a good language to learn. heck this country is full of immigrants. when i went to mt. sinai, they said there about 80 primary languages in their patient population. if you know more languages, it can only help you.

•••quote:•••Originally posted by daisygirl:
• •••quote:•••All righty then... so med schools should accept more students who speak "black" and Asian languages, right? I don't know what "black" language is ••••African immigrants who may only speak their native languages :) •••••
 
ahh, attempting to assimilate into society, that's a far different story from, "I say we help them all we can. Then send their non-English speaking asses back from whence they came. As in deport those that can't speak our language."

the main issue is that we are a different kind of nation than most of the rest of the world. We are built on a foundation of immigration. giving the tired, the poor, the hungry another chance. we claim to be a beacon for the world. i'm sure that many immigrants come over and try to learn english. the only problem is the ability to learn a language becomes quite difficult after the age of 4.

•••quote:•••Originally posted by mongoose:
•Seriously, you don't have to agree with my view. But, to me, it is a sign of disrespect for someone to come to our country to live without at least trying to assimilate into our society. If they don't like our society or our language, put them on the next plane home. If they want to become a part of our society by learning the language and customs, then the more the merrier. That is what I say. I would NEVER move to another country without a thorough understanding of local traditions, customs, and the native language. But, then, I show respect to others.•••••
 
btw, i have no problem with your opinion. that's part of the greatness of this country. you and I are allowed to have differing opinions and state them. :clap:
 
Wow oldman, I've never seen you use the clappy guy :clap: before!
 
vixen, about the people that move here and then complain, i agree with you 100%!!!!

what the heck is up with those people, totally pisses me off. if you don't like our country, MOVE THE **** OUT. nobody told you to come here. a big welcome to everybody that want sto come and live here -- the more the merrier as some1 else said. but don't come to my country and complain about how it sucks. that makes no sense.

•••quote:•••Originally posted by vixen:
•I agree to some extent. If people are choosing to live here, they really should try and learn the language...I also hate it when people move here or go to school here and then complain about this country...I REALLY hate that.

Oh, BTW, I took 4 semesters of Spanish in College (which was about 4 years ago!) (and all through high school), and although I'm familiar with the language, I still wouldn't be able to speak it decently, so I don't know how much it would help. I'm sure if you're going to practice in NYC or Miami, it would help, but I don't see it being very practical in Iowa or something like that (well maybe-I've never been or plan on going to Iowa!)...I think they should STRONGLY suggest it, but not require it.•••••
 
•••quote:•••Originally posted by Lavndrrose:
•Wow oldman, I've never seen you use the clappy guy :clap: before!•••••some people are scared by clappy, but don't hate him cause he's different.
 
I think it's all about how to serve your patients best. That should be our concern.

Aside from being able to effectively communicate with your patients, patient compliance is a huge issue, and it may be that people will comply better if their doctor can speak directly to them, and not through an interpreter.
 
but that's the whole point -- people should be able to have a choice, and here they don't. what if the only chool you get accepted to is wake forest?? these people have no choice about learning spanish or not. learning spanish is great, it should be highly recommended, and it's a definite route that i will take in the future -- but the guy practicing in a zero-hispanic population district has no need for it and should not be forced to take it. what if he's moving to a german-speaking area? that time he's spending on learning spanish could be used to learn german.

•••quote:•••Originally posted by bjc:
•But each person should do as they wish. If you don't want to learn medical spanish, don't go to Wake Forest, or any other school that follows suit. Simple.•••••
 
JEMJIA1, i'd like to ask, what school will *you* be going to in the future? did you read my post carefully? did you read your post carefully? first off, you're directing your comments to the wrong person. i never said anything about a. translators, b. fees, c. turning away patients, d. not learning spanish (in fact, i'm going to learn spanish sheesh). check first before you attack someone for something. got the wrong guy, pal

secondly, don't be so quick to point racism at others. if you read carefully the posts of those people that did talk about translators and such (again, not me, sheesh), you'll note that they are not being racist at all. they are just saying that people should learn english -- you might or might not agree with them, but they are definitely *not* racist.

•••quote:•••Originally posted by jmejia1:
• •••quote:•••Originally posted by matthew0126:
•i guess i'm against the flow here. i *looooove* how spanish sounds, latino culture, latino dance/music, and latino food, flavors. in fact, i'm gonna take some spanish without anyone asking sometime in the future.

but i don't like the idea of forcing ne1 to take a language. a lot of med schools offer their students the option of taking it, which i think is a much better choice. for example, say you want to practice eventually in edmonton, alberta -- do you really think spanish would be as useful there as it woiuld be in san diego, california? i think it's best to let med students decide for themselves.•••••Then don't apply to schools that will make Spanish mandatory. Schools that have or will, do so because they serve a large Spanish-speaking population or it's part of thier mission to train doctors that among other things will be able to communicate with such patients.

If you don't want to see such patients or plan to incorporate another fee (charging patients for a translator) to an already bloated healthcare system, then like I said those that share you view should only apply to schools that don't have such a mission.

It's pretty disheartening to hear your comment about wanting your patient learn English before you learn Spanish and or charging them for a fee.

I won't be turning any patients down based on thier language and I won't be giving them a referal to a ESL class before they can come and see me.•••••
 
yes, the debate has moved from the required class to a debate about knowing a language.

let's argue that point instead of the language thing.

perhaps wake is doing it because it is recognizing how important this language is becoming in the United States. Even in the frozen tundras of Swedeland (aka Minnesota), I see patients who only speak Spanish all the time. I have a feeling that the idea of a zero-spanish speaking population might go the way of the do-do and wake forest is simply preparing their students for it.

•••quote:•••Originally posted by matthew0126:
•but that's the whole point -- people should be able to have a choice, and here they don't. what if the only chool you get accepted to is wake forest?? these people have no choice about learning spanish or not. learning spanish is great, it should be highly recommended, and it's a definite route that i will take in the future -- but the guy practicing in a zero-hispanic population district has no need for it and should not be forced to take it. what if he's moving to a german-speaking area? that time he's spending on learning spanish could be used to learn german.

•••••
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Next unread thread

Similar threads

vacation-sedation
Wake Forest Charlotte?
Replies
2
Views
209
nadalfan22
N
D
Does Wake Forest Require Duet?
Replies
3
Views
1K
FriendlyBee
F
O
Neomed Vs Wake Forest
Replies
3
Views
274
nadalfan22
N
Z
Wake Forest vs MCG
Replies
4
Views
569
m1redsox
M
the_Ancient_Mariner
Maryland vs Wake Forest
Replies
4
Views
376
m1redsox
M
Top