Medical Mandarin

All content created by Frank Qi.

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Welcome to the Introduction to Medical Mandarin online course. We have prepared this course in the hopes of creating a healthcare workforce to better care for the Chinese Diaspora. Language barrier remains as a significant barrier to healthcare access for populations with limited English proficiency (LEP), despite the implementation of in-person and telephone interpreters in almost all major hospitals. Most of us have probably seen doctors and nurses trying to get by without interpreters, seemingly expediting care while compromising quality. Furthermore, interpreters do not fully address the language and cultural gap hindering the Doctor-Patient relationship. These are the reasons that make us believe that only a workforce with cultural and language training can provide the best care and increase healthcare access to the LEP Chinese population.

In this course designed for intermediate and advanced Mandarin speakers, we will introduce you to the vocabulary and phrases commonly encountered in clinical settings. Each chapter is devoted to one or a group of specialties. At the end of each chapter, there are practice phrases and mock interviews that you can use to test your understanding. That being said, only knowing individual words and phrases is not enough; understanding the connotation and cultural differences are important to clear communication and avoid offense. The “cultural notes” in each chapter clarify terms and points out inadequacy of translations.

We appreciate your interest in Medical Mandarin. Learning language is an arduous but fun process. Remember, the hard work you are dedicating to now will translate to better patient care in the future.