'When doctor doesn't speak patient's language, it can certainly harm treatment's effectiveness'
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Medical student leads 'Hebrew Arabic' project
Arab students teach Jewish students spoken Arabic as part of unique program aimed at preparing future doctors for meeting with Arab patients.
Lubna Qadri, a 22-year-old medical student from the northern Israeli Arab town of Kfar Nahf, is leading a unique project in which Arab students teach Jewish students spoken Arabic.
The course provides an opportunity for students to learn about the experience on the part of patient treatment through group discussions, role-playing games, tours and meetings with department physicians and patients.
The idea of the project, "Hebrew Arabic," which takes place at the Hebrew University's campus alongside the Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in Jerusalem, was born in the classroom course "man and medicine," highlighting the importance of interpersonal relation between doctor and patient.
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"Some of the challenges help the doctors to associate with differences," says Lubna, an ambassador at the BR Ambassadors Organization founded by the Rothschild Caesarea Foundation. "A doctor who does not speak the language of the patient finds it hard to communicate with him, which certainly can harm the treatment and its effectiveness.
"Discussion of this issue sparked a need and a desire among members of the class to learn the Arabic language to be better and professional doctors in the future."
"Hebrew Arabic" aims to prepare future doctors for meeting with Arab patients, to improve care, increase the chances of success and improve the patient's experience. It also aims to develop Arab students by integrating them into action and providing familiarity with another culture.
The initial study group consisted of four students, but by the end of the first year it had doubled four times. In view of the great demand among students to join the meetings, Lubna recruited two other volunteers and opened two additional study groups.
Learning comes to anything that requires a commitment on the part of students. Students meet weekly, are given homework to practice themselves, learn songs in Arabic and are exposed to the culture and traditions through performances and meetings.
"It is exciting to see the students learn and enjoy Arab culture, the culture I come from," Lubna notes. "I see great potential in the project and plan to consolidate and expand its operations in the coming years.
"When I started my medical studies at Hebrew University, I joined the BR Ambassadors Organization that deals with the development of personal excellence and social students, aiming to promote fulfillment of individual, academic and career potential."
