About Amigos

Spanish Immersion CME at
Hospitalito Atitlan in Guatemala

The Medical Spanish CME is recommended for physicians, nurses and medical professionals who have studied Spanish in the past, but have not had the opportunity to use this skill in their practice. This course is perfect if you have mastered basic communicative skills thru study or travel and would like to immerse yourself in Spanish in a medical setting.

Do you treat Spanish-Speaking patients on a regular basis? Do you wish you could communicate with them better? Take your medical Spanish skills to the next level through our immersive, fully accredited CME course! Spend seven days on the picturesque shores of Lake Atitlan where you will earn 25 CME credit hours while learning how to:

  • Take a medical history
  • Identify chief complaints
  • Conduct a physical exam
  • Attend morning report
  • Communicate with specialists...ALL IN SPANISH!
In addition, you will get the opportunity to practice you language skills in a community hospital setting. Program features include:
  • Small class sizes (limited to six doctors per session)
  • Instructors with expertise in both medical terminology and Spanish language
  • Rotating lecture series by Hospitalito faculty on relevant topics such as Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine
  • Numerous volunteer opportunities—both at the hospital and in the community
  • 25 CME credit hours approved by the Perelman Medical School at the University of Pennsylvania.
  • Airport pickup from Guatemala City included, as well as single-person accommodations at the luxurious La Posada de Santiago (additional charge for families)
To see a detailed one-week itinerary, click here. [Link to itinerary]

Day 1 –Introduction to Medical Spanish, How to take a Medical, Social, Occupational and Family History. Immunizations.

Day 2 – Physical Exam, Chief Complaint, Treatment, Follow-Up, Lab, and systems vocabulary

Day 3 – Medications, Contraception and Pregnancy, Delivery and Breastfeeding, Tropical Medicine

Day 4 – Poisoning, Drugs and Alcohol Abuse, Physical and Sexual Abuse, Rape, AIDS, Geriatrics, Infectious Diseases in Spanish-speaking Countries

Day 5 – Psychiatrics in Latin America, Mental Health, Addiction and Depression, Psychiatric Interviews, Diseases in the Developing World.

Please Choose from the Following Dates - Calendar (click on a date to register). These are doc fles in which you can fill out and send back to this email address: info@hospitalitoatitlan.org (intruction are in each file).
January 15-22, 2012
February 12-19, 2012
March 25- April 1, 2012 (plan your vacation for Semana Santa… the following week)
May 6-13, 2012
July 1-8, 2012
August 12-19, 2012
October 21-28, 2012 (plan to see All Saints Day on Nov. 1)
November 4-11, 2012
December 2-9, 2012
¡IMPORTANTE! The following textbooks must be purchased in the US and brought to Guatemala for the course.

http://www.amazon.com/Medical-Spanish-Fourth-Bongiovanni/dp/0071442006 

http://www.amazon.com/McGraw-Hills-Spanish-Healthcare-Providers-Second/dp/0071664270



Up to 25 AMA Category 1 Credits
Perelman Medical School - University of Pennsylvania

The Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Perelman School of Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine designates this live activity for a maximum of 25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

$1195 includes ground transportation and lodging at the beautiful
Posada de Santiago, http://www.posadadesantiago.com


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FAQ's

Language

Do I need speak any Spanish before I get there?
  • Yes. As our program is focused on Medical Spanish, not introductory Spanish, you must have a basic level of Spanish skills to participate in the program.
What is your definition of “basic” Spanish?
  • Ability to conjugate regular verbs in the present tense, communicate greetings and understand 25% of what is said in Spanish. Contact info@hopitalitoatitlan.org and we can discuss in greater detail.
What if I can already speak an advanced level of Spanish?
  • Our program may still provide you with much-needed practice in medical vocabulary and you will receive credit for your experience. In addition, you will have numerous opportunities to practice Spanish. Feel free to email us info@hospitalitoatitlan.org and we can discuss your needs in greater detail.
Travel and Logistics How far is Santiago Atitlán from Guatemala City?
  • Hospitalito Atitlan is a 3-hour van-ride from Guatemala City airport. Our driver will be waiting for you at the airport when you arrive. He will bring you directly to La Posada de Santiago hotel.
How far is the hotel from the hospital?
  • La Posada is approximately 1.5 miles from the Hospitalito. You may either walk--approximately 35 minutes--or take a Tuk-Tuk (three wheeled motorcycle taxi)--10 minutes.
What is Santiago like?
  • Santiago Atitlán offers its medical volunteer breath taking scenery and spring like temperature all year around. It is also a town where the Maya culture is very strong. You will see it in the beautiful local cloth, in people’s dress and how they handle themselves. You will hear it, as the Maya language Tz’utujil is the predominant language in town. You may smell it from the many wood burning fires that is still the most common way for keeping a pot of beans simmering for hours, or prepare piping hot corn tortillas. You will feel it as the friendly laughter of a newfound friend touches your heart.
What else is there to do in Guatemala?
  • Lake Atitlan itself is a top destination for travelers to Guatemala. Around Lake Atitlan you can have many activities such as hiking, volcano tour, tour small villages, coffee tour, bird watching tour, trek around the lake, kayak adventure, and cultural tours. There are a number of activities you can do on the water, such as kayaking, swimming or rent a traditional cayuco. Diving is also possible in Santa Cruz la Laguna through the hostel "La Iguana Perdida".
  • Outside of Lake Atitlan, you can also easily access Antigua (3 hour van ride) or travel to the amazing Mayan ruins of Tikal (a 1 hour flight from Guatemala City).
Is Lake Atitlan / Santiago Atitlán safe?
  • Yes, quite safe! Santiago Atitlán has limited crime. Problems you might read about in the news are largely restricted to the border areas of Northern Guatemala such as Petén and in Guatemala City. Still, when traveling, you should always be sure to take necessary precautions and use good common sense.
What is the dress code at the hospital?
  • The dress code is fairly casual at the Hospitalito. Santiago Atitlán is a very conservative town. Exposed shoulders and legs are considered suggestive and are inappropriate at HA. Physicians are required to wear white coats when seeing patients.
What should I bring with me?
  • Here is our recommended packing list
  • Sunscreen
  • Day pack
  • Hat
  • Good small flashlight
  • Good walking shoes
  • Swim suit
  • Towel
  • Clothing you can layer (some of it warm!)
  • Lightweight pants (blue jeans don’t dry during rainy season and are difficult to hand wash)
  • Insect repellent if you plan to travel to the lowlands
  • Something against motion sickness if you need it
  • During rainy season (April-November), poncho and/or umbrella
  • Depending on where you are staying, sleeping bag and/or travel pillow
CME Program Can only physicians participate?
  • No, any medical professional can participate in the program whether they earn CME credit or not.
  • Non-medical family members who wish to study Spanish may attend classes at the Santiago Atitlán Ecolanguage School. http://www.ecolanguages.net/
What can I expect my daily schedule to look like?
  • Your days will be filled with activities during the morning and afternoon, but evenings will be spent at your leisure. Our curriculum combines several hours of language classes including vocabulary study, role-playing, and practice patient interviews, as well as short shifts seeing real patients, accompanied by a translator. In the evening, you may eat dinner with classmates or other hospital volunteers, relax at the hotel swimming pool and Jacuzzi, or explore the town.
Can I stay for longer than the one-week session?
  • Certainly, though the CME course lasts only one week, we welcome people who wish to stay at the Hospitalito for more time to practice their Spanish and help out.
How do I volunteer while I'm still learning Spanish?
  • Throughout the CME course you may be asked to take emergency calls in your specialty, a translator will be available for this time.
Will there be any downtime?
  • Yes, your evenings will be free as well as your entire Saturday. There are many options for a Saturday day trip including traveling to San Pedro la Laguna, Panajachel, or other towns around Lake Atitlan. You can also stay in Santiago to visit sights around town, canoe on Lake Atitlan from the hotel, and get to know that village.
How do I claim my CME credits?
  • This CME course is accredited through the Perelman Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania. To view your transcript, please log on to the school's CME homepage at http://www.med.upenn.edu/cme/
Can I participate even if I don't need CME credits?
  • Absolutely, any medical professional can participate even if you don't need CME credits.
I only want to stay for half a session, is that ok?
  • Yes, you can stay for a partial session of you desire, and will receive CME credits proportional to the amount of time spent in session. Please contact info@hospitalitoatitlan.org to make special arrangements.
Can my children come?
  • Yes! Guatemala is a great place for children. Many of our volunteers have brought their families. It is a great opportunity for learning Spanish and about a very different culture.
About the Hospitalito



2011 ~ Hospitalito Atitlan