should there be more translators in hospitals?

Question

i just read an article on CNN about hospitals needing more translators in hospitals,especially Spanish speakers, bcuz many patients come in and don't know English so their kids or nurses have 2 translate but sometimes there isn't help. it's just sad 2 think people can't go 2 the hospital bcuz they don't know English and have 2 rely on someone 2 translate 4 them. do u think people who r going 2 work in the medical field should learn a foreign language b4 they become nurses/doctors? or should the patients learn English first? what do u think?

Answer 1

yes, I feel that there should be translators in every place, especially places like hospitals. I understand that hispanics do need to learn English, but it takes time to learn a language like our crazy language, so until they are able to learn it what do they do?

Answer 2

As an EMT and future nurse, and living in southern Texas, I definately know there is a huge problem with non-english speaking patients. Most medical professionals around here know some Spanish, in fact I carry a pocket Rescue Spanish guide so I can communicate with Spanish speakers. Most people know a little spanish since taking a foreign language is required in most high schools and most people take spanish around here since it is so prevelent. I definately think hospitals should hire more translators, and I know most of them offer bonuses to bi-lingual employees. They do this to ease the communication barrier. Although I do think that since we live in an English speaking country that they should try to learn to speak English. But since they can't learn English in the 5 minutes it takes for the ambulance to get there or while they are in the waiting room, then I guess they just have to pray for a bi-lingual EMT/Doctor/Nurse.

Answer 3

I don't think it should be a responsability of a nurse or doctor to learn foreign languages, but hospitals should encourage it by paying for classes or hiring with that skill at a top priority. But the important thing is their medical skills, I can see it getting out of hand where the best sugreon in the world doesn't get hired because somebody speaks better spanish.

Answer 4

I think anyone that expects to use a hospital in the USA should know English. (excluding people on vacation of course)

But I do get the point that angel said that it would take time. But then again if they know they will have translators wherever they go then they will see no need to learn English and they won't.

Answer 5

Hopefully unless there is a trauma situation,the patient has a translator with them or a phone call away.That is a good point.I feel sorry for their situation and hope they figure this out.Another reason to stop the influx of these people until more solutions have been ironed out for the folks already here.

Answer 6

They have thema and use a telephone translation service if the language isnt available

Answer 7

translators trained in medical terminology are needed
that was a good article