Qualifications

If I were concerned that there might be confusion regarding treatment of myself or my child due to language issues, I would find another doctor/practice where that was not an issue.

I had an experience in the ER once. I could NOT understand the doctor. I don't know where he was from, but his English was terrible. I finally told him that I could not understand and wanted a nurse in there to explain what was wrong with my daughter. He got very angry with me. I walked out into the hall and asked the nurse to join us. I told her that I could not understand the doctor and could she please tell me what was wrong with my daughter. She was very understanding and told me what was going on. The doctor stormed out. The nurse also told me that I wasn't the first patient to not understand him.

I sent a letter to the hospital and told that I found my experience unacceptable. I said that English was the language of this country and while I have NO problem hiring someone from another country, the criteria should be that they speak English. I said that I was upset that the doctor got mad at me when I requested a nurse tell me what was wrong with my daughter because I couldn't understand the doctor.

To me, this isn't your problem, its the doctor's office problem. If you can't communicate with someone who is treating you or your kids I would look for a new caregiver.

Hi, Keisha:

Call your insurance company and ask for
a list of providers and tell them what you are
looking for.
They need to know how you are being affected
by the service that you are receiving.
Good luck.
D.

Yes of course you can as about qualifications. I know that dental hygienists have to attend two years of school and then take a licensing test in each state in which they work. I find it highly unlikely that even someone who is a non-native English speaker would not be able to understand a child expressing pain or discomfort (in any language) but if you feel your concern is valid, by all means speak up and express your concern.

You should address your concerns regarding the language barrier to your dentist. It is his practice and he should know about these concerns.

I am Spanish, however do not speak it. You would be amazed at how many people say they need a Spanish speaker and when need be, they can speak english. I am sure they understand.

I like when they wait in line just to see me and HA, I don't speak Spanish.

I understand the concern about qualifications, but I see it as something other than a language issue. If the majority of the patients speak a language other than English and there are staffmembers who can communicate effectively with them directly or as intermediaries (like translators), I think the language skills of the staff are a boost to the entire practice. So it sounds like the staff you're encountering happen to be serving a demographic that they might be especially well-suited to serve, assuming that they do everything right in Spanish. For the minority of patients who do not speak Spanish, maybe this staff aren't as well-suited. It's definitely a bigger challenge, as you point out, when there is a potential for miscommunication between the doctors and their staff. But if the doctors are careful (and it's their responsibility to be careful no matter whom they're serving!), they'd always check and double-check whatever their staff are doing before any procedure is administered to the patient. Are the doctors and dentists doing that, in your opinion? If not, then I agree that I'd be concerned, but not about their language abilities, but their overall training prior to having one-on-one interactions with patients themselves (and without direct supervision) and also the level of supervision their employers (the doctors) are demonstrating. Ultimately, the doctors need to monitor the work of their staff -- regardless of how effective the communication is between the staff and patients.

However, I do think the flaws in the medical services you've written about can be understood as a "training" issue or a "supervision" issue, rather than as a language issue.

To give another perspective on how English fluency doesn't make medical practices any safer: My husband and I have gone to the pediatrician's office with our own copies of the WHO and AAP growth charts to show them the correct reading of the growth percentile of our son. (Phrased delicately and carefully as "We wanted to make sure with you because this part is so confusing..." i.e., in a nice way, not an obnoxious way) The nurses weren't reading the growth curves right. For some people, this is a basic skill that any pediatrician's nurse should be expected to get right. They didn't, but no biggie -- we knew our kiddo wasn't emaciated! BTW, these nurses speak English and English only.

Anyway, it was a good reminder to me and my husband both that medical care is never free of errors, and we have the right to ensure the best care we can get! That includes applying our own scientific literacy, reading the pediatrics research journals ourselves, triangulating with our friends' pediatricians' advice, and consulting other doctors too. I think it's awesome that you're not being a passive recipient of medical care, and your daughter is learning from a smart role model as yourself!

I can certainly understand your concerns. Yes - you may most certainly ask about someone's qualifications and certifications.

Aren't you with your daughter at all times at these appointment? Why don't you communicate for her? Plus, it seems that they'd have to be rather stupid to not understand an indication of pain or discomfort-- we communicate that with facial expressions and body language.

I have not encountered this, but if I or my children was unable to properly communicate, then I would switch and make it a point to let the doctor(s) know why I left.

I have not had that problem with GD's doctors/dentists, etc., but it would worry me. Like you mentioned, if your daughter is trying to tell them something and they can't understand her, that's a problem. We have to be able to communicate our concerns/needs/issues to health care professionals - without communication what's the point? Like I always say, if you're not going to be completely honest with your doctor, there's no point in going. I think it's the same if they can't understand you.

I have seen this mostly in convalescent hospitals. Most of the workers are from other countries and cannot speak or understand English fluently. I have no idea how patients are supposed to communicate with these people. To me, it shows a lack of caring on the part of the employer and I would definitely try to find a health care professional that I could communicate with.

I have difficulity excusing a doctor that storms out of the room because you can't understand him. As a health care provider or anyone that serves the public, whether they are a working in a doctor's office or slicing deli meat, it is part of the job description to communicate with patients and or customers.

He reaction says alot about his attitude and view point concerning pateints . How did he get through medical school? How does he keep medical records update and correct?

The whole situation would be scary for me. The doctor and the facility that hired him are only doing part of their job; they should be ashamed of themselves.

He may be the best physician in the world but if he can't communicate and has a bad attitude how do you trust him? How to you follow his treatment instructions if you have no clue what he is saying?

I would assume that the companies (in this case physician group, etc.) them have set and rigorous requirements/qualifications that need to be met before someone is hired--be it medical skills, nursing, billing, etc., in a doctor's office.

If you feel your physician is hiring unskilled workers--that's another problem.