Sunday, September 18, 2016



Harvard Medical School
Longwood Campus
Boston USA

We agreed a new joined venture between Harvard Medical School and IHCAI Foundation for benefit of Hispanic population in the United States


After a successful experience last year, in October 2016 the medical Spanish course will be held again on the HMS campus. For us is an honor to contribute to the pioneering efforts in favor of the Hispanic population that Manuel Guillermo Herrera MD, Harvard Medical School professor (Brigham and Women's Hospital) began over 40 years ago.

This is a very intensive Medical Spanish Course focusing on the interaction between the physician and patient. We have defined critical points in the geography of human communication, considering all different scenarios in the clinical context:

- Clinic history
- Clinical interview (under normal conditions versus stressful conditions)
- Physical exam
- Clinical rounds and case presentations

The first three correspond to interpersonal communication. The fourth is a group communication. Have different characteristics. We have de-composed these first three elements to generate a thematic inventory of critical issues at level of oral communication with patients, as a guide to be developed with students:

- Surface Anatomy
- Internal anatomy
- Signs and symptoms
- Vital signs
- Anthropometric measures
- Prescriptions
- Laboratory tests
- Medical procedures
- Inform consent
- Management plan, recommendations and case monitoring
- Communicating bad new
- Alternative medicine

Clinical rounds and case presentations (as daily dynamics within a hospital) include more technical medical communication elements. We have decided to use these options as modalities for the Final Presentation. Are options available for groups of more advanced students can learn scientific vocabulary in Spanish, beyond the colloquial vocabulary used in regular dialogue with patients.

Analysis of clinical cases and simulated patients will be educational practices as a tangent that crosses the entire matrix of the course. Common and rare medical problems and diseases are considered in our Medical Spanish learning model, such as chronic diseases and different medical aspects. But our methodology also considers the students particular interests. We want student’s participation is active and not passive.

If participants are expecting this course to give them only ‘pre-formulated questions and statements’ as ‘pocket formula’ (which are very common on the Internet now), then this course is not what you are looking for. These formulas can be only useful to ask questions to a patient but do not prepare you to understand the response of the patient, it requires hard work to learn Spanish as a second language but that is exactly what the participants will do with us.

To facilitate the learning process and to address the particular needs of students, we will divide the group into 3 levels:

·         Beginner low
·         Beginner high
·         Intermediate

This is a division that makes an empirical and simple approach to a complex assessment levels model. It's only useful to plan the start of the course and share a general notion. Our grammar staff is highly trained in the Common European Framework of reference for language learning, teaching and assessment (*). At the end of the course we can make a technical assessment of your skills within this theoretical model.

(*) Reference: The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Language Policy Unit, Strasbourg. www.coe.int/lang-CEFR. 2016.

In this course we apply an eclectic approach that combines different conceptions of linguistic theory for teaching Spanish as second language with learning philosophy of Problem Based Learning (PBL).




















https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Problem-based_learning 

We trust that both our planning and our tools are consistent with this educational model. Management course by our instructors aims to make this experience dynamic, intense and participative. We also hope that this course will produce significant momentum in your communications skills with Hispanic population living in US.

It is important to understand that human communication transcends oral communication. For this reason, this course also offers a series of activities aimed to approach the student to the Latino reality in the United States enriching the cultural approach.

In this regard Dr. Manuel Herrera always has been very proactive in facilitating conversation sessions with representatives of this community in Boston and to include special guests to the course to discuss various topics related to Latin America.

Please explore and take advantage of this Blog. There are tools that can facilitate your learning process. We agree that these are essential activities.

HMS takes up the challenge of developing a Spanish course in an Anglophone context. The aspect of cultural immersion, which is normally a great facilitator, will be absent except for the action of instructors and activities with the Latin group. Is up to you to create a bubble and live, for a period of four weeks, in the world of Spanish. We trust and rely on your commitment and effort. Good luck!



Dr. Mario Tristán                                                     Yuri Baidal
Director-General & CEO                                          Program Development Director
IHCAI FOUNDATION                                               IHCAI FOUNDATION


San José, Costa Rica, September 2016

Expression of appreciation 

IHCAI Foundation Board of Directors and staff extends its gratitude to Manuel Guillermo Herrera-Acena MD (Course Director) for the trust placed on the organization to carry out together this course at HMS. We also appreciate the proactive work and support of Kari Hannibal, Program Manager at Scholars in Medicine Office of Harvard Medical School.

The course running...


Group picture of students along with the IHCAI Foundation instructors and the group of Latino listeners, with whom conversations are made. Date: October 7, 2016. Boston, USA.

Manuel Guillermo Herrera-Acena MD, course director, having discussions with students. Date: October 7, 2016. Boston, USA.