Daniel V. Jereza M.D.
Family Practice PGYIII
Immersion into the real Mexican life is the best part of this whole experience. The people are very friendly. It is like revisiting the past. The whole experience is comparable to being drop off in the middle of the ocean with no choice but to swim for survival. I had no choice but to communicate in whatever little Spanish I knew and learned to be understood. It worked.
How useful did you find the classes?
The Spanish class further enforces what words and sentences I learned in the clinic. The instructors are flexible and adopt the classes based on your goals. Like myself, I do not expect to be fluent in Spanish in two weeks but at least I was able to communicate with the patient effectively.
Carie Chin-Garcia
Medical Student IV
The brigada trips (rural mobile health units) are outstanding experience for the MedSpanish student. The student would be most helpful and benefit most from the experience if their language ability is at least at the intermediate level. I worked several times with Dr. Nora. Her team included a driver/social worker and, a pick-up truck with supplies in the back on often bumpy, dirt roads to ranchos about 40-90 minutes away from the Centro de Salud. Students can see the schedule for the brigadas posted on the wall directly opposite the main entrance of the Centro de Salud. Upon arriving to the destination, the MedSpanish student can ask how they would be most helpful, which could often mean grabbing some of the needed supplies out of the truck. Usually, there is a local person who organizes the day (i.e. sets up a table/chair/bed for exams; and makes a list people needing to be seen by the MD) The MedSpanish student can respectfully take initiative and bring in patients one at a time off the list from the outside area where patients are waiting, take blood pressures, check capillary blood glucoses, and perform all of the exams. The physician has to fill out a significant amount of paperwork, so the ability to help on the part of the student is greatly appreciated. Patients have follow-up on diabetes, HTN; poor nutrition, and often need dental referrals. The MedSpanish student can obtain meds from the supply boxes if they are familiar with the names of the meds which can also greatly facilitate the visit. While the MD and student are working with patients, the nurse is often preparing to give vaccines and the driver/social worker is giving a lecture on a health topic (diabetes, diarrhea, nutrition) & may give supplements to the children. The MD may make referrals if necessary (i.e. 54 y.o. 7.c small, hard lump found in breast referred for mammography) Students can expect to see 20 patients; to sometimes go on side trips for home visits (very ill elderly or newborns needing blood tests); and to have varying facilities (i.e. someone’s porch & bedroom is designated “Salud” satellite clinic.)
Michelle Hellum
Pre-Med
The Hospital General was just a short walk away from Casa Fuentes. Here, I
either spent the day in the emergency department or the obstetrics
department. I observed the stitching of machete wounds, the examination of
patients with gunshot wounds, and the care of patients with severe diabetes, just to name a few ED instances. The friendly doctors in obstetrics allowed
us to view many births, including C-Sections, and willingly taught us about
the field. Each MedSpanish student has the opportunity to interact with
patients and health care providers in the hospital. The extent of the
student’s direct clinical participation is dependent upon relationships
forged with the local doctors and his or her progress in conversational
Spanish.
While I was in the hospital, other MedSpanish students were accompanying the
Mexican Red Cross in response to ambulance service calls. La Cruz Roja
Mexicana responds to 95% of ambulance calls, and provides memorable
experiences for MedSpanish students. The team of EMTs was eager to help us learn Spanish and allowed us to practice our developing language skills by interviewing patients and completing pre-hospital forms.
