The world of medicine is a large one.
Those involved in the medical profession in the ASEAN Economic Community could be involved in research and the ‘backroom’ occupations looking into new cures or medicines, or ways to treat people in easier and better ways. The other occupations are more ‘front line’, and involve medical professionals dealing with health problems or issues more directly. These could be doctors, dentists, surgeons, pharmacists, pharmaceutical sales staff to name but a few.
Both fields of work will involve expansive specialized vocabulary, which will need to be conveyed in English when dealing ‘across the borders’ of the 10 ASEAN nations.
Fortunately, the medical world has a strong footing in the Latin language, so many topics might be commonly understood in most countries around the world. Also, people trained in medicine have often experienced sound education with English as part of the curriculum, so ASEAN nationals in the world of medicine can communicate quite well in the language. Benchmark indicators for the standards of English for doctors and dentists are given in Resource 1. They give guidelines drawn up by the English language development center (ELDC) commission on higher education at the Ministry of Education.
Also of importance is that the medical world has many rules and regulations, but these are mostly concerning health, safety, and sanitization, and will have common issues in every country.
Professionals dealing directly with the sick will have the most challenging task as far as communicating in English is concerned. People are usually worried or concerned when their health is in question. A big part of the medical professional’s work in dealing with these people is to put them at their ease and gain their trust. This might be difficult if communication is poor, and the patient realizes that the professional is from a different country.
The topic is too wide to do full justice in a short course like this one. Each area of specialty could have a whole course devoted to it. We will deal with three areas, and suggest that those students who have a specialist field not covered here look into researching their own subject in English.
The language is aimed at those who have some knowledge and have pre-intermediate to intermediate English language skills. The vocabulary is very specific and may be new to some, but others may find it challenging initially. The goal is that medical personnel will be able to recognise what patients are wishing to convey, and patients will have some knowledge of how to talk about their ailments.