By Carlie Malonson
Abstract
This project is a guide to basic communication for health professionals, especially nurses, working with Italian-speaking patients. The goal was to create an accessible, easy-to-read resource that teaches the essential language needed to communicate with Italian patients who do not speak English, so they can receive competent care, education, and feel supported by their nurse. The handbook includes important vocabulary, clinical phrases, sample dialogues, and cultural notes about healthcare in Italy to help familiarize the nurse with the patient’s expectations and experiences. I also created a demonstration video of a nurse taking vital signs on a patient in Italian to model practical communication and patient interaction. To develop this project, I gathered relevant medical vocabulary and consulted resources about healthcare in Italy. I also read excerpts from books by Italian authors, including Capita (2005) by Gina Lagorio, Tre Ciotole (2023) by Michele Murgia, and Il Consolo (2021) by Orsola Severini, in order to gain a deeper understanding of the patient’s perspective and experience with healthcare. Overall, the goal of this project is to reduce language barriers between Italian-speaking patients and English-speaking health professionals to improve communication and patient care.
I Segni Vitali in Italiano.
Audio Description: Immagine con infermiera e paziente in una stanza con scrivania e sedie
Biographical Statement - Carlie Malonson
My name is Carlie Malonson and I am a junior at UMass Lowell where I am majoring in nursing as well as minoring in Italian Studies. I developed this project as a part of an independent directed study for my minor, with the goal of combining my academic interests to create a practical resource for communicating with Italian-speaking patients and providing care. I plan to complete my degree in the winter of next year and hopefully work as a nurse in the hospital setting. I am particularly interested in maternity and acute care. I also love learning about the Italian language and culture and hope to be able to apply these skills in my future nursing career!