PACIFICSTREAM

The Medics on the Move Project in a Nutshell
The Medics on the Move (MoM) project aims to provide medical professionals working abroad ("medics on the move") with language tools and support to help them function effectively in their new workplace. MoM uses the latest technology to deliver a purpose-designed language training programme that addresses the needs of medics in everyday situations. Project start date: November 2006 - End date: October 2008.

Background
Medical specialists (qualified or in training), nursing staff, paramedics, and even medical exchange students working abroad are often totally immersed in their professional practice. Many do not have time for in-depth language study, and may not progress beyond language level B1 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages. As a result, they can be difficult to understand, and/or may appear indecisive, insensitive or even rude. They risk communication breakdown, which can have negative implications for delicate doctor-patient and doctor-staff relationships.

MoM Research
Using questionnaires, surveys and language analyses, based on state-of-the-art research literature on health care communication, the programme designers have mapped the language deficiencies of medics working abroad, as well as their perceived deficiencies as expressed by the professionals and their colleagues. With this information, the MoM-developers have created a targeted language training programme that aims to maximize improvement in communication and interaction between the medic and all the groups of people s/he is likely to encounter.

Learning with MoM
The MoM syllabus is based on the communicative situations a medic has to deal with on a daily basis. A searchable list of everyday medical terms with pronunciation advice, a doctor-patient consultation timeline, a database of diverse medical interactions, and an extended reference tool are all fully integrated, giving medics an easy-to-use and readily accessible guide to communication in a medical context.