Background: Proficiency in multiple languages as healthcare professionals can reduce miscommunication, enhance patient safety, and improve patient care in the clinical setting. In Washington counties, up to 51% of households speak a language other than English, and up to 12.6% speak an Asian or Pacific Island language.
Purpose: The Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine’s Medical Chinese Registered Student Organization (RSO) was established in September 2022 by three first-year medical students to provide a space for language and medical vocabulary practice in Mandarin and Cantonese. It held regular events within the Washington State University (WSU) health sciences community, including formal terminology teaching sessions, cultural competency panels with physicians who interact with immigrant patient populations, Chinese-language movie viewings, and Lunar New Year socials. Monthly “lunch tables” also allowed members to practice conversations in Chinese informally. The Medical Chinese RSO has grown to 42 members with varying language levels over the last 3 years.
Description: In October 2023, the first Tri-Cities Chinese Community Health Fair was held in Richland, Washington, supported by the CIPHERS seed grant. The fair aimed to provide health services to the Tri-Cities Chinese-speaking community and help students and healthcare providers develop their medical Chinese skills. 17 students conducted patient interviews, performed abbreviated physical exams, and measured blood glucose.
Conclusions: 34 community members attended, including 3 physicians. In an event survey, community members rated students 9.4 out of 10 for “overall communication”, praising students’ communication and professionalism and encouraging further practice. Students reported appreciating building rapport with the community during a focus group. Future community health fairs in May 2024 and September 2025 ended with similar positive feedback. From student-led events to health fairs, the Medical Chinese RSO is an example of successful, student-driven integration of language learning into medical education.