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| Vol. 23, No. 4 |
| March 1, 2001 |
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M. D. Anderson Speaks the Languages of International Patients By ROBERT LUCEY The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center When the medical attaché for the United Arab Emirates researched the best place to refer 17-year-old lymphoma patient Saeed Al-Rashidi, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center was his choice. Saeed began coughing and wheezing in October 1999. When X-rays revealed a growth on his lungs and a biopsy confirmed the lymphoma diagnosis, physicians in his homeland feared Saeed would choke to death if not treated quickly. Within two weeks of his initial diagnosis, Saeed arrived at M.D. Anderson where his diagnosis was confirmed and a treatment plan developed. His father, Salem Al-Rashidi, remained with him throughout his stay. At one point during his year-long chemotherapy regimen, Saeed began to feel depressed. His attending physician, Dr. Ted Zipf, prescribed spending time with someone his own age. On doctor's orders, his older brother visited for three months, and Saeed's mood rapidly improved along with his response to treatment.
Saeed was able to return to his homeland last October, continuing low-dose treatment under Dr. Zipf's supervision. In early February, he came back to Houston for his first follow-up appointment. After a battery of tests, Saeed learned that his condition continues to improve. He looks forward to returning to school in September and regaining enough energy to rekindle his love of soccer. Saeed is one of 3,546 international patients who received care at M.D. Anderson last year. More than 1,400 of those were newly registered patients. With 6 percent of M.D. Anderson's patients coming from abroad, the International Patient Center plays a vital role in meeting the needs of this special patient population. Even before patients decide to come to Houston, the International Patient Center staff provides assistance, serving as a gateway to M.D. Anderson. Speaking in the patients' own language, International Patient Center representatives coordinate appointments and discuss the personal items and medical records patients need to bring with them. Representatives help coordinate transportation from the airports, arrange housing or hotel reservations, assist with banking and business services, and help meet patients' cultural needs. Most importantly, they help international patients assimilate into a new culture and understand the medical practices of M.D. Anderson and the United States. "Patients appreciate that our staff often anticipates their needs," said Wendeline Jongenburger, director of the International Program. "Making the choice to travel long distances for the proper diagnosis or treatment of cancer is a difficult decision. Like the specialists who treat only cancer each day, our International Patient Center staff work only with international patients and their families. The staff understand and know how to best meet the special needs of patients from other countries." Fundamental to the philosophy of care at M.D. Anderson is patients' rights to ask questions of their physicians and to be involved at every level of treatment. To make that possible, the center coordinates translation and language assistance in virtually any language or dialect, as well as signing for the hearing impaired. Translators on staff are fluent in 11 languages, from Spanish to Turkish to Hakaa. When there is a need for an interpreter after hours, the Language Line provides 24-hour assistance via telephone. Speaking through one of M.D. Anderson's seven Arabic translators, Saeed said he eventually wants to return to Houston to study English. "It's a beautiful place with good people," Saeed said. "Anytime I needed help, people offered to help."
©2006 Texas Medical Center E-Mail: tmcinfo@texmedctr.tmc.edu URL: http://www.tmc.edu/tmcnews/03_01_01/page_08.html |
