Speaking Their Language

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Speaking THEIR Language

• 5 Simple Tips To Communicate With Foreign
  Language Patients

Accents Perfect Translations The Language Link
of Connecticut
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• Aside from medical knowledge, communication
  skills are the most important tool a medical
  professional can have.
• On the next few pages, we will solve some of the
  challenges associated with assisting foreign
  language speakers, and discuss how using
  professional foreign language translating
  services can help you and your patients.

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Keep An Ear Out

• Although English tends to be the language most
  often used in the U.S., according to the 2007
  U.S. Census, 20 of the respondents said they
  used another language as their main language. The
  likelihood of a medical professional coming into
  contact with a foreign language speaker can be
  quite high, depending on the neighborhood. Just
  being aware of your communitys demographics will
  help you.

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Create A Cheat Sheet

• Enlist the help of a professional translating
  service to create a list of common phrases that
  you might need to use with a patient. We suggest
  the top three most used, for example, in
  Connecticut that would be Spanish, French, and
  Italian.

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Have Custom Brochures and Forms

• The first thing every person must do when they
  walk into a hospital or medical office is come in
  contact with the front desk person. If they dont
  speak the same language its hard for them to get
  the same warm welcome this is where an
  introductory brochure could be of service. In
  addition, having the forms in their language can
  make the whole process easier as well.

Accents Perfect Translations The Language Link
of Connecticut
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Think Outside The Language

• One major difference of foreign language speakers
  is they often have cultural norms that can be
  very different from your own. Some cultures dont
  allow people of the opposite sex to touch them,
  others avoid eye contact as a sign of respect
  no matter what their customs are, it is always a
  good practice to be mindful and to respect them.

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Have A Bilingual Staff Member

• Even though many foreign language patients come
  with caregivers or family members, it is still a
  good idea to have a person on staff you can have
  help you interpret medical information. Patients
  may not feel comfortable telling a non-medical
  person their problems.

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• If you follow these simple tips, your medical
  practice will be able to care for foreign
  language patients with greater ease.
• Also, remember to choose a professional
  translator medical experience is necessary.

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Accents Perfect Translations and The Language
Link of Connecticut
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Accents Perfect Translations The Language Link
of Connecticut

• Accents Perfect Translations and The Language
  Link of Connecticut as been professionally
  helping businesses in the same town for nearly
  twenty years. They are staffed with highly
  trained translators to give you the most accurate
  language translations, covering a number of
  industries.
• For more information, please call 800-611-7773
• Or visit http//www.aptranslation.com/.

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Summary

• Foreign language patients can be hard to
  communicate with, which can make it even harder
  to treat them. We will outline a few easy options
  that professional translators can provide to your
  medical practice.