Abstract:
Language, as a form of communication, is crucial for healthcare professionals as they communicate with various stakeholders including patients, patients' families, other healthcare professionals, administrators and students. Hence, it is important for them to have good communication skills, particularly proficiency in English, as English language is widely used in the field of medicine. While literature emphasises the importance of communication and language skills for medical students, there is a gap
of knowledge on medical students’ perception on the importance of the English language skills during their medical education, and subsequently to the medical profession. Hence this study intends to explore medical students’ perception of the importance of English language. A qualitative study via focus group method was conducted where medical students were interviewed on their perspectives. A total of 6 sessions of focus groups were conducted, with 24 students. Data obtained were
analysed by themes using the Braun and Clarke (2006) thematic analysis framework.
Three main areas of the study include the use of English language in medical education, the influence of university culture in English language mastery and the impact of English language proficiency on medical students. Themes coded from the data indicate that medical students perceive English language to be important in 3 aspects, namely English language as a learning tool, a professional language and as a
communication tool. Students discussed the availability of university and peer support in their mastery of English language. The study also found that English language proficiency impacts students’ academic progression, communication and personal and professional development. The study concludes that language awareness is important for medical students to deliver high quality patient care as language barriers during
patient communication impedes patient care quality.
