Thread: A Controversial but Serious Question

I was sitting in a meeting of physicians in training (resident physician) where an attending came in and said that surveys being taken for research were causing the institution to get bad reviews. Her reasoning was that the residents did not speak strong enough English to understand the survey. Now most of these residents are training here on visas and will be dispersing into other under served communities in order to keep their visas. Now, there are American citizens who attend foreign medical schools who can't get residency positions despite their parents paying taxes and yet these residents are getting the positions and can't even speak English. Then to top it off, I have a classmate who defends them and says its not their responsibility to know the language (obviously she was not born in the US).

Am I wrong in assuming that you should be able to speak the language in order to practice medicine? Should you expect your doctor to understand complex language skills since medicine uses complex language? This is a serious question that I am ashamed has to be asked. The US has completely lost touch with reality. Healthcare reform without tort reform? Illegal citizens being able to file medical malpractice and given legal standing? People getting residency training without even being able to speak proper English?

English is a must.
I have to communicate with a lot of Chinese students and they frankly are completely oblivious about the meaning of many common terms that we use.
I had the ridiculous experience to talk to a person that has no idea what Acetone is, and can't make the difference between a pump and a valve...
I wonder how they passed their TOEFL/GREs???
I guess learning the dictionary by heart is not good enough, I have heard that's the common practice in China. I am not a native speaker either but most Americans understand me just fine when I talk.

Should a pilot know how to operate a jet before being able to fly it?

Should a nuclear plant employee know how to operate equipment at a plant properly?

Should physicians have a complete grasp of the language spoken in the country they're in in order to communicate effectively and comprehend their patients? Quite simply, it sounds like an absurd question, period.

Maybe "diversity" and "political correctness" really are more important as concepts than human life. At least it seems to be for some.

Chris L

Since English is the lanague used most often in America, it makes sense that its doctors should speak it.

What if a doctor wants to practice in a mostly Spanish-speaking area, though? Should he or she be allowed to skip on learning English in that instance?

Originally Posted by Blade Wielder

Since English is the lanague used most often in America, it makes sense that its doctors should speak it.

What if a doctor wants to practice in a mostly Spanish-speaking area, though? Should he or she be allowed to skip on learning English in that instance?

This area is mostly spanish, but everything being documented is in English so ABSOLUTELY NOT! If they want to speak spanish, then they should go to a Spanish speaking country to practice medicine. I also feel hospitals should not have to bear the expense of translators, patients who are not responsible enough to learn the language should have to pay cash for the translation service. If you can't speak then language then you should have no legal standing to file medical malpractice since the patient history is the most important part of making a diagnosis (85% of the diagnosis in fact). I especially feel this way because everyone coming to this hospital is either on medicaid or government subsidized insurance that taxpayers are being raped on. They won't even take United Health Insurance or other private decent insurance because they can't blatantly over bill them.

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Should a pilot know how to operate a jet before being able to fly it?

Should a nuclear plant employee know how to operate equipment at a plant properly?

Should physicians have a complete grasp of the language spoken in the country they're in in order to communicate effectively and comprehend their patients? Quite simply, it sounds like an absurd question, period.

Maybe "diversity" and "political correctness" really are more important as concepts than human life. At least it seems to be for some.

Chris L

Should a pilot have to know English in order to fly a plane?

I think it'd be crazy to have mandatory proficiency in a certain language in order to practice. If you have an issue with the language your doctor speaks, choose a different one. Assuming a basic level of English, I don't think I can envision a scenario in which a doctor's office could not find some level of communication with a patient. I'd also imagine that a doctor who couldn't speak English would hire someone who could adequately translate.

I don't believe that you need to know any specific language in order to understand the human body. I'd rather have the best doctor speaking mediocre English than a mediocre doctor who spoke perfect English.

Trey, I don't know much about the quality of medical schools but I'd like to think that US schools are top notch. If a US student doesn't qualify for medical school here in the States they can go overseas where some places have lower requirements. I have no problems with the better doctors getting residencies regardless of what language they speak. Being a citizen, knowing English, and having tax-paying parents doesn't mean you should automatically get residency.

Originally Posted by commiecat

Should a pilot have to know English in order to fly a plane?

They are required to know some in order to deal with ATC. AFAIK ATC is conducted in English, globally.

Anyway, I think it's important that people learn the language of the country they are choosing to reside in. In my experience, some people really get into it and some people don't. I guess if they want a job at the end of their what ever it is, they'll need to learn some english in order to get one.

Originally Posted by gregs656

They are required to know some in order to deal with ATC. AFAIK ATC is conducted in English, globally.

Anyway, I think it's important that people learn the language of the country they are choosing to reside in. In my experience, some people really get into it and some people don't. I guess if they want a job at the end of their what ever it is, they'll need to learn some english in order to get one.

I was speaking in the most literal of terms. The plane operates the same no matter what language you speak. It might be required for certifications and licensing by whatever agencies, but it's not required to actually operate the plane.

I was also assuming a basic level of English. The original question was about fluency, which I don't think should be mandatory. If you only know certain terms specific to your field then I think that's good enough to practice.

Originally Posted by ChrisL

Should a pilot know how to operate a jet before being able to fly it?

This one is interesting...

The answer is YES because that is the
language the tower and air traffic controllers
speak. English is a requirement for pilots!

I think this is a very complex question. If you are talking about private universities/hospitals, no one can tell them what do to. When it comes to public hospitals/universities, well, personally I would want the best doctor possible, though I agree that communication with me and other hospital staff is vital.

To focus in on the question in the poll, as long as the person is able to speak well enough to sufficiently communicate or always has a qualified translator available when necessary, my answer is no.