Hello World: Multilingual Greetings for those providing Obstetric Anesthesia Care

Hello World

In an increasingly multicultural world, obstetric anesthesiologists frequently encounter patients who speak languages other than English. Communication is critical in building trust and ensuring patients feel comfortable, particularly in the highly sensitive context of labor and delivery. Language barriers can exacerbate anxiety and create a sense of detachment between the healthcare provider and the patient. By learning common greetings and key phrases in various languages, obstetric anesthesiologists can bridge these gaps, fostering rapport, and demonstrating a genuine concern for the patient's well-being.

The goal of this project is to equip anesthesiologists with basic tools to offer culturally sensitive care by starting interactions in the patient's native language. We suspect that simple gestures like greeting someone in their own language can humanize the interaction, ease patient fears, and enhance the overall patient experience. This approach not only improves communication but also affirms a respect for diverse backgrounds, contributing to a more inclusive and compassionate healthcare environment. This in no way replaces the need for interpreters. 

All featured translations include:

  • Hello. My name is __________________
  • I am the anesthesiologist taking care of you today.
  • Please give me a few moments to get the help of an interpreter.

There are some additional phrases variations in the translations available in each language. 


Featured Languages

Arabic  French  German  Haitian Creole  Hindi  Korean  Mandarin


Volunteers

Thank you to all our volunteers who have contributed to this project!

  • Arabic - Ned Nasr
  • Chinese -Mandarin - Arthur Chyan
  • French - Chloe Kern
  • German - Michael Frolich
  • Ghanaian languages - Ewe, Twi, Ga - Esinam Amedewonu
  • Haitian Creole - Chantal Pyram
  • Hindi - Sangeeta Kumaraswami
  • Italian - Michael Frolich
  • Korean - Won Lee
  • Punjabi - Jasveen Kaur
  • Senegalese language - Wolof - Esinam Amedewonu
  • Sinhalhese - Kokila
  • Spanish - Liliana Goelkel-Garcia
  • Turkish - Ayse Kula