Being able to exchange information in a language in which we are familiar with is vital for all types of communication. This is particularly important in healthcare as patients need to communicate their medical needs with medical professionals, and medical professionals need to understand what those needs are to provide proper care to the patients.
For many, language can be a significant barrier when trying to obtain medical care. Greater Family Health is committed to cut barriers that prevent patients from receiving effective and safe medical care and therefore offers translation services to all patients who need it.
The Patient
Most recently, a new patient to Greater Family Health received care at the location in Streamwood. During the patient’s appointment it was found that translation services were needed for the patient. Greater Family Health’s staff proactively tried to get a translator via our translation company AMN Health Care which offers translation services for up to 350 different languages.
Do You Speak Tzotzil?
Unfortunately, the language in need for this patient was not available. The patient speaks Tzotzil, which is a Mayan language spoken by the Tzotzil people in the Mexican state of Chiapas. Most people who speak the Tzotzil language also speak Spanish. The patient was accompanied by family who spoke some Spanish and were able to translate from Tzotzil to Spanish to the best of their ability and then our bilingual staff was able to translate Spanish to English to the medical provider.
A Commitment to Care for All
Due to Greater Family Health’s commitment to provide translation services in a language in which patients can give/receive communication, multiple staff from various departments worked together to secure translation services to the patient in the Tzotzil language.
Breaking Barriers
While it was not an easy task, but thanks to the dedication, tenacity, and diligence of Greater Family Health’s professionals, a company that offers translation from Tzotzil to Spanish and Spanish to Tzotzil was secured!
Continued Care
These translation services have come in handy for the patient’s recent appointments as well as for other family members of the patient who are now also patients of Greater Family Health. These patients have received services from a Health Benefit Specialist and medical care from Greater Family Health.
The patient and the patient’s family have expressed their sincere gratitude to Greater Family Health and all Greater Family Health’s professionals, who have directly or indirectly made it possible for them to receive care and resources in the language that they can understand.
This is yet another example of Greater Family Health’s commitment to provide quality, informed, affordable, and safe, medical care to all.
