When Language Becomes the Barrier

When Language Becomes the Barrier

In this episode, I speak with Tomas Vence, a senior majoring in Physiology and Neurobiology at UConn, about his experience working as a Spanish translator in a free clinic. Tomas reflects on a particular patient encounter where language became a barrier between the care being provided and the patient's condition. We discuss the challenges of translation in clinical settings, the responsibility of serving as an intermediary, and how communication gaps can shape diagnosis and understanding. This conversation highlights how language itself can become a cultural blind spot in healthcare.