At Johns Hopkins, we don’t treat disease — we treat people. When a patient feels safe and understood, treatment is less stressful and outcomes improve.
Patients from around the world come to us when they are at their most vulnerable, trusting they will receive the highest quality medical care. A critical component of establishing this trust is creating an atmosphere in which people from many backgrounds feel understood and as comfortable as possible.
As more and more patients travel from China to the United States seeking the latest treatments, we have taken several steps to enhance their experience.
In 2017, we revamped our Simplified Chinese microsite, where patients can learn about health conditions, our specialists, treatment options and services for international patients. It provides a local phone number that connects patients with a Chinese-speaking member of our team, as well as an online form to request information.
We also updated our Simplified Chinese patient brochure and translated Johns Hopkins Leader, an annual publication that shares our latest discoveries with leaders around the world.
We also ensure our care coordinators are there to accompany patients every step of the way. Care Coordinator Virginia Fung says, “Our culture is more than language. Because I understand the culture, I know how to best represent a Chinese patient. I get the nuances of where they are coming from, because that’s where I come from, too.”
This post highlights content from JHI’s FY17-FY18 Impact Report, Realizing the Mission. Read the full report and check out this video to learn more about our transformational work in international collaborative health from the last two fiscal years.
