. You encounter a non-English speaking patient. How would you handle the situati

[Swifty181]

Ok, I got another one I'm stuck with. Need some help figuring this out.

This is another common question in many interviews in the healthcare field. How would you answer this? I mean do you try to somehow explain the procedure to them and see if they understand, or do you just tell them to come back with a translator. Not sure if I've ever encountered a situation where I didn't speak the language or a translator was not present.

P.S. If you are gonna post a comment along the lines of "figure it out yourself, its your own interview blah blah blah" don't bother plz. Nobody is perfect and nobody will answer every single question perfectly, but maybe as a community we will all gain from this discussion. Thanks in advance.

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[Scrub007]

Try to combine the use of verbal use non-verbal language to guide their understanding to what I am saying; use of hand gestures, pictures? Also speak slower, use basic vocabulary and common words?

haha this is a hard question

 

[muhali3]

Simple. Use your smartphone to translate for you.

 

[Swifty181]

Lmao, i thought about the phone thing but then they'll be like what if the patient speaks some ridiculous language like Latvian or some African dialect where they talk with the clicks?
Oh and Scrub007 good call on the pictures. Still though I'm not sure if they would want you to perform on a patient who might not understand the procedure at all. I mean I've seen this many times when people who don't speak English just agree to anything because they would just like to get it over with and go on their way.

 

[ewu6three]

Simple. Use your smartphone to translate for you.

Exactly. I have had this happen twice. I simply jumped on google translate, wrote what I needed to say which was something to the effect of "unless you are in pain, lets reschedule with an interpreter." They read the translation. Problem solved.

 

[UltimateHombre]

Smart phone would be the easiest. Also drawing pictures and using hand gestures, you could probably figure it out.

Also, i doubt any adcom would tell you your patient spoke in "clicks".

 

[Swifty181]

Lol, I'm just joking around. I know they won't say clicks (people here take everything so seriously). For some weird reason I found that funny and wanted to share it with you. Anyway I've heard of google translate I just had not realized how much more advanced it had got in the last few years. They have an app as well where they detect the language and they have a pretty big selection of languages. Mind officially blown. 🙂 I got nothing but love for google. I just wish I had invested in it in the 90s lol

 

[healthysmile]

Most times, you will realize the patient is not fluent in English as soon as they call to schedule an appointment. Most dental school clinics have acccess to interpreters for these situations. Private practices do, too. All clinics that receive state and federal funding are required, by law, to provide a patient with an interpreter should the patient need one.

 

[tttran11]

I've been translating for my parents since I was 12. Honestly, it is best, if your practice do not have a translator, then to ask them to bring one. The "healthcare lingo" is even hard to comprehend in English, if you dont know the terminology already.

There were often times where I was too busy to fit my parents doctor appointments into my schedule and they would often wait until I'm free, or not go at all. Once, I called my dad's doctor and ask if he would be able to go by himself (it was just a 6 month check, he has diabetes), and the nurse told me "it would be pointless if he went without you."

Your patients will be paying TONS of money and they rely on your diganosis/treatment plans, the least healthcare providers can to is help clearly explain the procedures/treatment options. Communication is VERY important.

BUT... If there are no other options.. visual aid!

P.S. Just my/an opinion/first hand experience.

 

[herkulease]

If the scenario says you don't/can't have a translator then the next best option would be some sort of visual aid. Drawings, use of a typodont etc.

I personally though wouldn't feel comfortable. Even if it was just an exam and nothing else. I like it that the person knows and understands what I'm doing to them. Some people just nod their head in agreement with whatever you say even if they have no clue. My mom is one of them.

 

[Swifty181]

Hmm, this is very interesting. I'm sure people in private practice get away with visual aids and google translate all the time and stuff, but Is it legal to perform anything on a patient that doesn't speak English at all. I man drawings can at times be limited when trying to explain what could go wrong with a cavity filling for example, and Google translate no matter how good it is it is still not perfect especially with jargon like ours. I wonder if the Interviewers might want to hear something along the lines of "I can't perform anything unless an interpreter is available". After all if anything goes wrong the patient can sue you and has every right to if he/she did not understand the risks? What do you guys say?

 

[molarmechanic12]

there might be a dental student at your school that can speak the language (searched via school database) and can translate for you.. it happened to me (i was the translator for the dental student's patient).... if you know ahead of time the patient cannot speak English, find a translator.. translating w/ engines and things will not necessarily directly and correctly translate what you are trying to tell the patient

 

[Volvoxy]

Say your future practice will be hanging an English only sign in its window. 😉

 

[Stacker]

Ok, I got another one I'm stuck with. Need some help figuring this out.

This is another common question in many interviews in the healthcare field. How would you answer this? I mean do you try to somehow explain the procedure to them and see if they understand, or do you just tell them to come back with a translator. Not sure if I've ever encountered a situation where I didn't speak the language or a translator was not present.

P.S. If you are gonna post a comment along the lines of "figure it out yourself, its your own interview blah blah blah" don't bother plz. Nobody is perfect and nobody will answer every single question perfectly, but maybe as a community we will all gain from this discussion. Thanks in advance.

At my local clinic, these patients don't make it past the front desk without a translator. Their translator probably made the appointment for them and are advised at the same time over the phone to come with the patient. You can certainly try to treat them but sometimes this is a detriment to the quality of care and many other times you absolutely need a translator. Usually, it's better to just reschedule unless they're in dire need of treatment.

 

[Swifty181]

Thats what I thought happened, so yea no translator no toothy fixy lol, even though I'm sure we can still prescribe some pain medications if the patient is in pain and have them come back with a translator.