Kaiser Permanente Trilingual Medical Terminology Reference Manual - English-Spanish-Chinese 3rd edition

Sep 28, 2026

Kaiser Permanente Trilingual Medical Terminology Reference Manual supports health care professionals and community advocates in communicating across cultural and linguistic differences. It introduces interpreting as a professional service and emphasizes culturally competent care for limited-English and non-English proficient patients. The manual explains the purpose of the third edition, provides acknowledgement of project contributors, and includes guidance on interpreting roles and the importance of understandable information to enable fully informed health care decisions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages98

Reading Time4 h 7 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Anatomy of the Human Body

Illustrations 1-14

List of Terms

Alphabetical listing 15-56

Commonly Used Terminology by Department

Pharmacy/ Prescriptions 57

Genetics 61

Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat) 64

Ophthalmology 67

Neurology 69

Obstetrics and Gynecology 71

Pediatrics 75

Dermatology 78

Orthopedics 80

Cardiology 82

English - Spanish - Chinese This manual is dedicated to the health care professionals and community advocates who tirelessly dedicate their linguistic and cultural expertise towards facilitating understanding and communication between people from diﬀerent cultures and linguistic backgrounds in the health care se􀀂ing. This Kaiser Permanente Trilingual Medical Terminology Reference Manual belongs to: Name: Location: Phone: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. Copyright © 2006 All rights reserved. Kaiser Permanente’s National Linguistic & Cultural Programs, National Diversity, would like to thank the many people who contributed to this project and acknowledge their time, dedication, and resources spent on the development and fruition of the Trilingual Reference Manual – English-Spanish-Chinese 3rd edition. Special Recognition to: Raymond Lee, MD, Expert Consultant, Kaiser Permanente (retired) Alan K. Yee, Pharmacy Operations, Northern California Regional Ofﬁce David K. Liu, MD, Chinese Linguistic Consultant, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Riverside Gonzalo Garreton, MD, Spanish Linguistic Consultant, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, South Bay Jack X. Chou, MD, Chinese Linguistic Consultant, Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Baldwin Park Project Lead: Gayle Tang Director, National Linguistic & Cultural Programs, National Diversity Project Team: Oscar Lanza, Sr. Project Manager, National Linguistic & Cultural Programs Merri Keeton, Coordinator, National Linguistic & Cultural Programs Akiko Yamada, Graphics Design Coordinator, National Linguistic & Cultural Programs Contact Information: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. National Diversity One Kaiser Plaza, Ste. 17L Oakland, CA 94612 Attn: National Linguistic & Cultural Programs Copyright © Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. , 2006 3rd edition. All rights reserved. 1995 1st edition, 2003 2nd edition A message from National Diversity: Kaiser Permanente’s Health Plan membership is a microcosm of the world’s cultural and linguistic diversity. Virtually every racial and ethnic group is represented among our membership with all of the attendant languages and cultural beliefs, values and tradition. It is our responsibility to protect the rights of our members and patients, including those who are limited-English and non-English proﬁcient, to receive understandable information needed to make fully informed health care decisions. Language is the cornerstone of effective human interaction and communication, and enables the delivery of culturally competent health care. Kaiser Permanente has built a work force that reﬂects the great cultural diversity of our Health Plan membership. We will utilize the vast cultural and linguistic expertise which resides in our work force to enrich the care experience of our members and patients while improving health care outcomes. The continued reﬁnement of our linguistic service capability and other critical elements of culturally competent care delivery will enable achievement of our organizational mission to improve the health status of the communities we serve. Ronald Knox Vice President and Chief Diversity Ofﬁcer Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. Introduction From a one-on-one consultation between a pharmacist and a patient to a group conversation between a physician, patient, and family members, there are many instances in the modern health care setting that require overcoming cultural and linguistic barriers. The modern health care interpreter provides the way to overcome these barriers. Health care interpreting requires a complex and intricate set of skills and has become recognized as a professional service in the health care industry. As an integral member of the health care team, the interpreter facilitates linguistic and cultural understanding among the patient, clinician, and the healthcare system at large. Health care interpreting services are the key to assuring optimal

FAQs

What is the purpose of the Trilingual Medical Terminology Reference Manual?

The manual serves as a guide and linguistic reference tool for interpreters, translators, health care professionals, and consumers.

Why does the manual emphasize health care interpreting?

Health care interpreting helps overcome cultural and linguistic barriers and supports effective communication among patients, clinicians, and the health care system.

Who is the manual intended to help?

It is dedicated to health care professionals and community advocates, with special attention to limited-English proficient (LEP) and non-English proficient (NEP) patients.

Sep 28, 2026

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