An Overview of Online Resources for Medical Spanish Education for Effective Communication with Spanish-Speaking Patients

Abstract

Phenomenon

Despite the rapid development of virtual medical Spanish educational materials, online resources lack transparency and a peer-review process. The purpose of this interdisciplinary study was to provide a critical inventory of virtual resources for medical Spanish education, thereby providing a panorama of the current state of online medical Spanish.

Approach

Research team members conducted iterative searches to identify medical Spanish online resources, which were then screened for predetermined inclusion/exclusion criteria. Between June and August 2020, a panel of medical and language experts then adapted and applied a previously published evaluation tool to determine whether resources that met study criteria would help learners achieve medical Spanish core competencies and to what extent each resource incorporated communicative language activities. Consensus meetings were conducted to resolve disagreements and identify gaps in online education.

Findings

Out of 465 resources, 127 were further screened, and eight were selected for evaluation. Medical and language specialists independently scored each resource and, following discussions, achieved consensus. Overall, no resource met suitability criteria for all five medical Spanish learner competencies or cultural elements, and only one was suitable for achieving the self-assessment competency.

Insights

Interdisciplinary consensus meetings provide an important avenue for resolving differences of opinion and for integrating both language and medical perspectives into the evaluation process. Existing online resources should be used in conjunction with other materials to ensure that all core competencies for medical Spanish education are addressed. This study revealed important gaps in online resources, including a need to target advanced Spanish learners, apply authentic communicative activities, include assessment opportunities, and integrate culture in the learning program. Based on the current state of online medical Spanish, we offer recommendations for future resources.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Stephanie M. Briney, DO for her participation as a reviewer.

Disclaimers

The work presented here is that of the authors and does not necessarily represent the views or policy of the United Nations.

Disclosure statement

P. Ortega receives author royalties from Saunders Elsevier. The Baylor University Spanish Scholarship Fund receives K. Hardin’s author royalties from Stipes Publishing.

Ethical approval

The University of Illinois Institutional Review Board determined that this study did not constitute human subjects research (Protocol #2021-0660).