Table 1.

Goal and Objectives of the Curriculum

Goal: To introduce first year medical students to the knowledge and attitudes needed to care for patients across language barriers.

Learning Objectives: (cognitive and affective)

After completing this module students will be able to:

• Identify pitfalls of using untrained interpreters like family members, hospital staff and bilingual medical students

• List effective strategies for working with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) patients and interpreters

• Define legal rights of LEP patients

• Recall basic facts about immigration in the United States

• Recognize unique aspects of caring for immigrants that include:

Access to care

Special situations: i.e., victims of domestic violence or refugee status.

• Identify their attitudes and beliefs regarding limited English proficient patients and language discordant medical interviews involving interpreters