School of Medicine

As part of a focused, clinical, multi-disciplinary, independent study project, the author of this paper, a fourth-year medical student, completed a rigorous, six-month, longitudinal study of Medical Spanish for the purpose of improving his Medical Spanish proficiency. To accomplish this goal, an independent study plan was developed which included advancing-level Medical Spanish coursework, clinical practicum in Medical Spanish, and formal assessment of Spanish proficiency. An NIH supported Medical Spanish course offered by Canopy Innovations was completed from the beginner through advanced levels. Tests at each course level are offered by Canopy and were passed before continuing on to successive levels. Clinical practicum was completed in vivo with Spanish-speaking patients throughout the student's clinical rotations. Spanish proficiency was assessed as part of this project through independent, third-party agencies specializing in language assessment. Student Spanish proficiency was demonstrated by an Interagency Language Roundtable score of 3+ obtained by the student as part of this project.