Currently, the health industry is the lartgest US industry. Eight of the 20 occupations projected to grow the fastest nationally from 2004-2014 are in the health services category. The quality of patient care is directly dependent on the allied health professional to verbally communicate effectively with all patients.
Effective communication is a critical component in the medical setting among health professionals. Many foreign born nurses, physicians, and other health professionals move to the United States seeking greater job opportunities and a new life.
Many bring with them mastery of English, however individual speech patterns may limit their ability to be understood. Fortunately, a way exists to relieve a lot of the frustration and isolation felt by these individuals because of their accents.
According to the American Medical Association, international medical graduates comprised of 20.9% of the total physicians in the United States in 1980 and this number continues to skyrocket (1). Considering that the average primary care physicians and other allied health professionals conduct 25 patient interviews a day, 110 a week, 5,400 a year, and 62,000 over a 10 year career (2), professionals who learn English accent correctly is a skill that cannot be overlooked.
Health professionals who speak English as a second language can be identified by the department Director if their accent interferes with communication. The quality of patient care is directly dependent on the allied health professional to verbally communicate effectively with patients.
A comprehensive accent training for medical professionals program must do the following:
1. Integrate the impact of language, culture and communication skills
2. Practice English pronunciation
3. Practice intonation (rhythm and flow) of the English language
4. Have the flexibility of on-line access
5. Speech professional to help the students identify error patterns and to provide constructive feedback and suggestions
The Joint Commission determined in 2002 that greater than 65% of hospital deaths and injuries and 55% of medication errors were due to communication factors (3). An American accent training program that utilizes medical terminology training materials with foreign born allied health professionals will help them improve English accent, and improve English speaking skills.
The Institute of Accent Modification located in Chicago, Illinois specializes in accent modification for the medical community. The Institute has an Intercultural communication e-learning course specifically designed for foreign born nurses as well as other medical professionals across the spectrum of healthcare settings. There is no charge for the e-learning course which will help the participants with their English pronunciation online and learn English accent.
The English pronunciation online customized programs at the Institute of Accent Modification have been developed after more than 20 years of applied research, and with students who speak well over 100 different languages. Find out more about our programs by browsing through http://www.instituteofaccentmodification.com/
References
1. American Medical Association, International Medical Graduates. Online, http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/17.html. Accessed 8/24/07.
2. Levinson W, Roter DL, Mullooly JP, et al. Physician-patient communication: The relationship with malpractice claims among primary care physicians and surgeons. JAMA. 1997;277 (7): 553-559.
3. Editorial Desk. Errors that kill medical patients. The New York Times. Page A34. December 18, 2002.
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