English for Physicians
Non-residents in Canada/USA
Introduction
Medical language finds its roots in Greek and Latin terminology; words sound and look alike in most western languages. Understanding a medical textbook in English is not impossible even for doctors who have little knowledge of the language.
Equipped with rudimentary knowledge of English and a few ‘communicative’ tricks (body language, sounds, facial expressions, etc.), people are usually able to communicate. For physicians who are non-native English speakers achieving communication in English is not a difficult task provided they are in a medical environment and have some knowledge of the English language. Since most doctors know basic anatomic and medical terminology in English, deductive communication is often enough and a high level of language proficiency is not required in order to communicate informally.
However, speaking to and understanding English speaking patients or lecturers is a different matter. The truth is that in formal situations language standards are usually higher for physicians than for most other professionals.
With the ATPAL system (please check the link about ATPAL for more information on ATPAL techniques) you will be trained to achieve a high level of language proficiency.
What follows is a brief description of the ATPAL language course for physicians.
1. Speaking Fluently
Inefficient Communication vs. Language Proficiency
Many physicians are able to understand and use “English medispeak” from an early stage of their professional training or practice. In formal circumstances, however, inadequate language skills may be interpreted as lack of confidence, or a sign of poor medical skills. Either way, consequences may be disastrous.
To improve speaking skills, our training programs focus on the following aspects:
- Master the vocabulary used in usual physician-patient interaction.
- Spontaneous use of proper vocabulary and grammatical structures.
- Develop efficient use of general English and of the English medical language.
- Interact efficiently with other healthcare professionals.
- Understand and deliver lectures in fluent English
- Write medical orders and reports.
2. Improving Comprehension
In any situation, poor understanding may be critical, but when physicians have to deal with patients, understand a lecture, or be confronted with an examining panel, poor comprehension can be catastrophic.
As part of your training program at ATPAL you will be assisted by colleagues and professional instructors who act as real patients and lecturers. You will be trained to understand patients’ complaints, signs and symptoms, and understand other healthcare professionals who speak fluent English.
You will be supplied tools to develop skills in order to understand lectures in English.
3. Writing
The ATPAL course for physicians is also designed to make healthcare professionals proficient in writing. It is delivered by experienced physicians who understand the North American medical system and are familiar with the difficulties doctors encounter when they have to use formal English in writing.
You will be trained to produce medical histories, write medical orders, prescriptions, articles, and reports.
The Placement Test
The level of language proficiency (both oral and writing) is determined by our free placement test. Based on the result of this test we will recommend a general review of important structural elements of the language before commencing the study of specialized information.
We also test your medical English skills. We accurately identify your needs and design convenient individual strategies. This test is not mandatory for students at beginner level.
If you intend to take the Canadian or USA medical examinations, please check the link USA/Canada Residents
Duration of course: 80 hours / 4 weeks - participants can take any number of weeks they wish (from 1 week to 4 weeks). Please contact us for more details.
Schedule: 3 to 7 pm
Frequency: Monday to Friday
Maximum number of participants in each class: 8
Course contents: 30% writing 70% oral
2008 Course Start dates: February 04, April 07, Aug 04
Contact person:
Alfred Cook, MD
E-mail: alfredcook@videotron.ca
Phone : 514 303 4061
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