German obligation in pediatric practice: Schild removed, discussion remains

Von Kl Redaktion

The debate about medical language skills has achieved a new dimension through the recent events in Kirchheim Unter Teck. A pediatric practice in this region has a sign with the inscription "We only speak German here in practice!" From their reception, however, the basic regulation maintains that only patients with sufficient knowledge of German or an interpreter. This decision raises fundamental questions about medical care for patients with a migration background.

medical communication in focus

The child and adolescent medical service in practice, led by Dr. Ulrich Kuhn is aimed at an always growing patient group, which often does not have the necessary language skills. According to Kuhn, it is crucial that effective communication between doctor and patient is guaranteed in order to successfully carry out diagnoses and treatments. In the past two months, the Situation has intensified by the increase in patients who do not speak sufficiently German.

background of the regulation

  • 3500 children and adolescents are treated every quarter.
  • About 50% of patients have a migration background.

Practice is faced with the challenge of maintaining a certain standard in medical communication. Kuhn explains that it is true that the decision to treat patients with sufficient language skills has led to an outcry in public and even allegations of racism that are rejected by the doctors.

renewed discussion about interpreter

The doctors underline that interpreters can and should continue to support the patient in order to avoid misunderstandings and to ensure the quality of care. Kuhn emphasizes that the original sign was not intended for the general public, but only for the patients in practice. Despite the media -effective rash, the basic organizational measures of practice remain unchanged.

The role of the media and the public

Medial attention by local newspapers, such as the “Stuttgarter Zeitung” and the “Stuttgarter Nachrichten”, it is thanks to the fact that this problem is publicly discussed. Practice has decided for strategic reasons to exchange the sign to communicate the targeted message without misunderstandings.

Future view

It is planned to present a new sign with practical rules in the future. Dr. Kuhn and his colleagues are optimistic that the conversion of signage can contribute to improving the communication situation in practice. You are aware that it is important to offer patients from different cultures the best possible medical care.

- Nag