8624 - Medical Spanish: Communicating with Confidence in Healthcare Settings
Course Overview
Bridge the language gap in healthcare! The Medical Spanish course helps social workers, nurses, and doctors in Albuquerque gain the skills to communicate effectively, make patients feel comfortable, and improve care for Spanish-speaking families in our community.
This practical course is designed for healthcare professionals—social workers, nurses, and doctors—who serve Spanish-speaking patients in Albuquerque and surrounding communities. The focus is on building essential communication skills in Spanish for medical contexts, ensuring that providers feel confident and patients feel respected, understood, and cared for.
Topics Covered
- Making and confirming appointments.
- Greeting patients and establishing rapport.
- Describing common symptoms and conditions.
- Asking about medical history, medications, and allergies.
- Explaining instructions, treatments, and follow-up care.
- Role-play scenarios: nurse triage, doctor consultations, and social worker check-ins.
Format
- Interactive sessions with role-play and real-life case scenarios.
- Practical vocabulary lists and quick-reference guides.
- Culturally relevant tips for building trust with Spanish-speaking patients.
What You'll Learn
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Use key medical terminology in Spanish for patient interactions.
- Conduct and understand common patient–provider dialogues, including scheduling and confirming appointments.
- Ask and answer basic medical history questions (e.g., symptoms, allergies, medications, pain levels).
- Provide simple explanations of procedures, treatments, and next steps.
- Practice culturally sensitive communication that helps patients feel comfortable and supported.
Who Should Attend
This class requires no previous language instruction. It is appropriate for healthcare professionals (social workers, nurses, doctors, medical assistants, or front-line staff) seeking to enhance their ability to communicate effectively and compassionately with Spanish-speaking patients.UNM Tuition Remission
UNM Staff, Faculty, and Retirees: This course is Tuition Remission eligible under Professional Development. For more information, visit the UNM Tuition Remission information page. To see UNM HR's Tuition Remission for eligibility and tax liabilities, click here