At the TCU Barnett School of Medicine, a new class of students is about to start, and they will receive their ceremonial white coats this weekend. As part of their training, med students are learning the tools of their trade, but also focusing on learning other languages to connect with patients.
Building Relationships Through Language
Third-year med student Michaela Mitchell helped start the med student initiative, Charlar con Cafecito, which means “chat over coffee” in Spanish. The program is a monthly gathering at Cafe Azul in Fort Worth’s near South Side, where students can practice their language skills and build relationships with patients from diverse backgrounds.
“If you’re able to connect in the context of language and culture, then it’s a much better relationship,” said Ph.D. Karla O’Donald. “Cafecito for Latinos is a time to sit down, to talk. You have a cup of coffee and a conversation, and you look at your watch, and it’s three hours later.”
The program recently received a $3,000 grant from the Texas Medical Association, which will help support the initiative and provide more opportunities for students to engage with patients from diverse backgrounds.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
