Medicine in Mandarin: Introducing Native Language Training in a Medical School Curriculum

Background: Chinese Americans are one of the fastest growing populations in the United States. However, 41% of Chinese Americans are not English proficient. Methods: In 2014, Medicine in Mandarin was established by the University of Michigan Medical School (UMMS) as a pre-clinical elective taught by a nationally certified healthcare Mandarin interpreter. A 32-hour curriculum was developed, including both didactics and interactive elements. Assessments included quizzes, standardized patient interviews, and a final exam. An evaluation was administered upon course completion, and a post-course survey was administered to graduates at least six months after course completion. Results: Between 2014 and 2017, the elective graduated 25 students, of whom 23 completed the course evaluation and 22 completed the post-course survey. Prior to the course, 9% of students felt comfortable practicing medicine in Mandarin. This increased to 78% of students post-course. When asked about subsequent clinical experiences, 82% of students reported having applied medical Mandarin skills. Overall, 96% rated the course as very good or excellent. Conclusion: A Medicine in Mandarin elective was well-received by students and improved their comfort in providing medical care in Mandarin. Additional study is warranted to examine the potential clinical impact of this course.