LOCUS Project: Bilingual Handbook

Project: Bilingual Handbook
Fellow: Sarah Gruenwald
Mentor: Dr. James Shropshire

Fellow Bio:

Project Description:

My project is to create a handbook for Spanish interpreters at the MEDIC Southside clinic. This handbook will be specifically geared toward common problems encountered at the clinic, and will include vocabulary and phrases which will help students communicate with Spanish-speaking patients.

Project Goals:

So far, several LOCUS fellows and mentors have helped me with the first goal, which was to narrow the scope of my project to serve the MEDIC clinic. I also hope to develop my Spanish language skills and help other students develop their Spanish language skills as well through the use of the handbook.

Accomplishments:

This is my first report, and I have several chapters of the handbook in progress, including detailed anatomy with illustrations, explanations and instructions for common lab tests, and a template for a medical interview (history of present illness, past medical/surgical history, family and social history, review of systems, and some phrases which are helpful in performing and explaining the exam). I will be working on some chapters addressing individual problems often seen such as upper respiratory infection, headache, urinary tract infection, and strep throat.

Challenges and Solutions:

The main challenge was narrowing the project down to a reasonable scope. Many people helped me by discussing my project during a LOCUS meeting. I have encountered problems finding enough time to work on my project, especially since the time I'd planned to devote to it while recovering from surgery this summer was spent in the hospital :). Hopefully some of the less time-consuming rotations of third and fourth year will allow me more time to spend on my project.

Next Steps:

Locus Project Objectives and Key Tasks	Target Date for Completion
Complete half of remaining chapters	May 2002
Complete remaining chapters	December 2002
Revise rough draft and have completed project at MEDIC for student use	March 2003
Present project at Spring Retreat	April 2003

Resource Needs:

I have most of the books and resources I need. I will also plan to meet with my mentor for advice and editing.

Last update:

January 28, 2002

Graduation Requirements Progress Chart
If you complete the requirements outlined below, you will graduate as a LOCUS fellow.

A check indicates the item has been completed.

When	What	On-line
Year 1: Beginning of Semester 2	New Project Report	Submit Report
Year 2: Beginning of Semester 1	Project Update	Submit Update
Year 2: Beginning of Semester 2	Project Update	Submit Update
Year 3: Beginning of third year	Project Update	Submit Update
Year 4: August of fourth year	2-3 page final summary of project that includes a reflective evaluation of the project process	N/A
Ongoing	Participate in program evaluation (written and/or focus group)	View Options
By the end of fourth year	Select poster, presentation, paper, creative option or your own idea	View Options