“Being comfortable with a second language will help our resident physician members to better serve patients in New York City public hospitals, where a wide variety of languages are spoken,” said CIR President L. Toni Lewis, MD. “With this in mind, CIR’s Benefit Fund will be offering a new language benefit to begin July 1, 2008 that provides resident physicians the option of online learning for language. We want to assist resident physicians in delivering outstanding care to their non-English speaking patients.”

“In launching this new program, we are responding to our members’ requests for language training, and are also addressing the cultural competency objective of the public health system (HHC). NYS Health Commissioner Dr. Daines has also emphasized the need for language learning for both medical students and residents, and we support that goal,” Dr. Lewis said.

"Clear communication is just one of many crucial skills demanded by the practice of modern medicine. This is especially critical in the city's public hospitals where patients speak over 100 different languages and reflect the diversity of New York City," said HHC President Alan D. Aviles. "CIR's resident physicians who take advantage of the opportunity to learn the top languages spoken by our patients will enhance both their cultural and linguistic competence, and more importantly, their ability to provide safe, effective care."

Because resident physician schedules leave little time for attending language classes, CIR’s Benefit Fund opted to cover the cost of electronic media programs such as online classes or CD/DVD programs. The new benefit enables residents to improve language skills as needed for their current job responsibilities, but will not qualify them to be medical translators. All resident physicians will continue to follow their hospital’s policies regarding medically competent communication with their patients. Details of the program include:

• Members qualify for one course or program in each plan year.

• Upon approval of application, CIR’s PEP (Professional Educational Plan) program will purchase any required books, CDs, DVDs or subscription.

• Suggested providers include: www.RosettaStone.com and www.idrama.com/MedSpan.htm, which is a virtual conversation program in Medical Spanish. Members can also submit an application for a course, program or subscription from any other provider to PEP for approval.