BRIDGING LANGUAGE GAPS IN HEALTHCARE: THE IMPACT OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION ON MEDICAL STUDENT
Keywords:
Medical education, foreign language instruction, clinical communication, cultural competence, curriculum development, multilingual healthcareAbstract
In an increasingly multicultural healthcare environment, communication barriers between healthcare providers and patients can compromise the quality of care. This study investigates the integration of foreign language education into medical curricula and its impact on medical students’ communicative competence, cultural awareness, and clinical confidence. Through a mixed-methods approach, including surveys, interviews, and classroom observations across three medical institutions, the research identifies key benefits and challenges of such programs. Findings support the inclusion of clinically oriented language instruction as a strategic tool to enhance patient-centered care and global medical readiness.
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