Student Reflection

by Margaret Mallon
Fui a mi turno en la Clínica Dental de Parkland el 7 de marzo. Ayudé por 4.5 horas y fue una experiencia extraordinaria. Había 2 pacientes hispanohablantes, sin embargo, estos pacientes no se sentaron cerca uno del otro. Como resultado, tuve que correr de paciente a paciente para interpretar las instrucciones de los técnicos orales. Para cada paciente, expliqué que el técnico oral inyectaría anestesia local para sus empastes o extracciones. También les expliqué que el sangrado potencial fue normal. Quería ayudarlos a sentirse cómodos y seguros. Para sentirse cómodos, deben conocer y comprender cada paso del proceso dentro de sus bocas.

Antes de la ayuda de los estudiantes, estos técnicos necesitaban usar “Traductor de Google” para comunicarse con sus pacientes hispanohablantes. No puedo imaginar la dificultad de utilizar la Red para comunicar con ellos. Hay muchas ocasiones en que el “Traductor de Google” no es preciso y, como resultado, podría causar una mala comunicación entre el paciente y el técnico. Es increíble que este semestre, la clínica esté usando estudiantes en el área para ayudar en estas situaciones. Además, respondí llamadas telefónicas de hispanohablantes, confirmando el día y la hora de sus citas dentales en la clínica. En general, aprendí la importancia de hablar lentamente y claramente en el teléfono, pero también, la importancia de pedir las preguntas especificas si no entiendo una persona. En total, estoy feliz que usé mi español por 4.5 horas completas.

Nota: La foto es de la Red. No puedo sacar las fotos en la clínica por razones de privacidad.

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