Steward Health Care System invited Dr. Orlando González, Ed.D., MBA, MS, EMT-P CHI™ of AccuLingua Communications and Consulting Services, LLC, on May 19, 2015  to speak to hospital and agency staff about strategies for working with Latino patients. Dr. González was invited to discuss the specific Hispanic cultural and linguistic traits that influence patient-provider rapport. During his presentation, he identified traditional Latino health beliefs that may impact patient compliance with treatment and delineated effective guidelines to use when working with medical interpreters. After defining cultural competence and cultural sensitivity, he went on to describe the difference between American and Latino healthcare delivery systems. He ended the hour-long session with examples of specific Latino health beliefs and behaviors. Click here for a two-minute of System Director Carla Fogaren's introduction of Dr. González whose presentation could not be videotaped. Click here for a written summary of his remarks. For more information, contact Community Benefits Director Tracy Ibbotson at 508-235-5289 or System Director Carla Fogaren at 781-375-3197.

(Top row) Hospital staff gather in the Nannery Conference Room, help themselves to the free lunch, and are welcomed by Steward Health Care System Director Carla Fogaren who introduces Dr. González. (Row two) Mary Riley, RN, Director of Employee Health Services and Medical Assistant Melanie McDonnell listen as Dr. González talks about the importance of cultural competency. (Row three) Dr. González defines cultural competence and cultural sensitivity and gives the rationale for each. (Row four) Melanie McDonnell listens as Dr. González talks about the difference between American and Latin American healthcare delivery systems and then illustrates a common hand gestures that Latinos often use to indicate fear or discomfort. (Row five) Staff respond to some of the common Latino health beliefs, including one about "Empacho" or blocked intestines and then recommends the text The Latino Patient: A Cultural Guide for Health Care Providers. (Bottom row) Dr. González talks with staff after his talk, including Medical Interpreter Maria Fatima Rodrigues and Director of Interpreter Services Natalia Konarski who was introduced by Ms. Fogaren.