The
Human Body for Medical Interpreters*
Seminar
on Body Systems and Introduction
to Medical Terminology
This 12-hour program presents a
survey of the human body in health
and in disease. The program introduces
basic medical terminology concepts
to participants so that they may
continue to learn at their pace
and on their own.
Anatomy and physiology are two
of the basic areas of vocabulary
development that are important to
medical interpreters. Healthcare
providers usually refer to anatomy,
and sometimes it is difficult for
the interpreter to point if s/he
does not know the right term or
context. A familiarity with the
common medical conditions can help
the interpreter do a better job
of interpreting clearly and accurately
what the doctor says.
Also, one of the more difficult
things to interpret in a medical
setting is the procedures that providers
order for their patients. Often,
there is no clear linguistic equivalent,
either for the name of the procedure
or for the explanation. This program
introduces the many medical procedures
which interpreters should be familiar
with.
Learning
Objectives
- To review basic anatomy, basic
physiology or how the different
organs function (in English)
- To discuss some of the more
common medical conditions interpreters
should know about
- To introduce certain common
medical procedures and give participants
an idea of where to go to learn
more.
- To accustom participants to
looking up information about procedures
so that they may continue learning
on their own
Here’s a suggested partial
list of systems to be covered, including
conditions that may affect them:
- Digestive:
hernia, gallstones, hepatitis,
ulcers, polyps, gastroesophageal
reflux, hemorrhoids
- Respiratory:
bronchitis, pneumonia, emphysema,
asthma, tuberculosis
- Cardiac/Circulatory:
coronary artery disease, congestive
heart failure, hypertension, heart
attack, aneurysm, embolism
- Male reproductive:
prostate cancer, STDs
- Female reproductive:
cervical cancer, yeast infection,
cysts, ectopic pregnancy
- Endocrine:
diabetes, hyperthyroidism
- Optical: Glaucoma,
cataracts, blindness, macular
degeneration, myopia
*
A 4-hour basic version is included
as part of "The
Essential Piece" comprehensive
interpreter training program.
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