Medical Spanish Podcast

How do you counsel a patient on low blood sugar in Spanish? In this episode, Daniela Grave plays the role of a doctor counseling a patient with diabetes about hypoglycemia. You'll hear the clinical term "hipoglucemia" alongside the phrase Spanish-speaking patients actually use — "un bajón de azúcar." Then we look at one word that causes real confusion in the exam room: mareo, which can mean vertigo, faintn...

When admitting a patient to the hospital, understanding their level of independence is crucial. Can they dress themselves, cook for themselves, and get around safely? Do they drive? This information helps us understand the events that led up to a patient's presentation and whether they'll need extra support once they return home. In this beginner-friendly lesson, we're covering how to ask about independence, getting around, and dri...

This episode was suggested by two listeners who wrote in asking for vocabulary related to foot care. It turns out this topic is richer than it might first appear — the vocabulary comes up regularly in podiatry, primary care, wound care, and beyond. Recorded with medical Spanish teacher Daniela Grave, from Mexico.

Already a member? Access this lesson, Common Foot Conditions, in the Podiatry Module of our Spanish for Prima...

This is the fifth and final lesson in la historia de Ingrid. Follow a Guatemalan family through the last days of a leukemia battle in this Medical Spanish end-of-life patient interview. Luis González describes alarming lab results, a doctor's shocking words about Ingrid's white blood cell count, and the urgent return to the hospital on a Saturday afternoon — where Ingrid walked in on her own power despite critical lab values.

This is the fourth lesson in la historia de Ingrid. In this episode, we follow Luis González as he describes Ingrid's prolonged hospitalization, his role as a messenger, the transfusions, and the start of outpatient chemotherapy. We also explore the emotional shock Ingrid felt when she experienced hair loss, the most feared side effect of chemotherapy.

Already a member? Access this lesson, Chemotherapy, Hair Loss and Daily Life wit...

This is the third lesson in la historia de Ingrid. Follow a Guatemalan family through a leukemia diagnosis, an AMA discharge, and critical life-or-death decisions. Luis González describes Ingrid's fear in a public hospital in Guatemala City, the decision to sign a voluntary discharge form against medical advice, and their journey to Quetzaltenango (Xela), where a hematologist confirms the diagnosis and recommends immediate hospital...

This is the second lesson in la historia de Ingrid. Follow a family from Guatemala through a difficult diagnosis, and learn the vocabulary and phrases for diagnosing leukemia in Spanish. Luis takes Ingrid to a hospital in Santiago, where blood work, X-rays, and other studies are performed over a couple of days. A visiting hematologist reviews the results and delivers the diagnosis directly, and the family is referred urgently to th...

Today we're starting a brand new series — one of the most meaningful things Doc Molly has made for this podcast. On a recent trip to Guatemala, she sat down with Luis González, one of the directors of the Cultural Spanish School in San Pedro La Laguna, who shared the story of his late wife, Ingrid, diagnosed with leukemia in 2018. Over this series, we'll follow her story from the very first symptoms through diagnosis, treatme...

In this episode, we practice how to start a clinical conversation about drug use in Spanish. We focus on asking clear, professional, and respectful questions to use in the hospital, clinic, or emergency room.

Already a member? Access this lesson, Asking About Drug Use, within the Substance Use module of our Spanish for Mental Health course.

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LEVEL – UPPER INTERMEDIATE

00:00 - In...

Learn medical Spanish to assess eczema in children, including how to talk about flares, itching, and topical steroid use, using patient-friendly language.

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Already a member? Access Assessing Eczema in Children within our Spanish for Primary Care course.

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LEVEL – UPPER INTERMEDIATE

00:00 - Intro
01:43 - Dialogue
02:26 - Frequency of f...

Do you know how to say Happy Holidays in Spanish? In this episode, we practice saying Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and more in Spanish.

 Watch the video version of this lesson on YouTube.

 Become a member! Membership gives you access to over 500 interactive medical Spanish lessons, organized into easy-to-follow courses.

LEVEL – BEGINNER

00:00 - Intro
00:55 - Happy holidays
01:25 - Merr...

In this episode, you'll learn how to assess a patient's orientation in Spanish. This kicks off our Mental Status Exam in Spanish series — in this first free lesson, we focus on the patient's orientation, and in upcoming member lessons, we'll practice assessing memory, attention, concentration, and language, all with a practical, clinical focus.

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Already a member? Access Assessing O...

In this episode, we begin a four-lesson series on the medical equipment and supplies used every day in patient care. We review high-value vocabulary — el termómetro (thermometer), el manguito de presión (blood pressure cuff), el oxímetro (oximeter), el monitor cardíaco (cardiac monitor), and el glucómetro (glucometer) — and practice describing their clinical use with short phrases using the passive se.

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Learn how to explain risks in Spanish to your patients before cardiac catheterization — including bleeding, infection, and discomfort at the insertion site. This lesson is ideal for anyone who must explain risks before a procedure.

Already a member? Access the full lesson, Cardiac Catheterization – Explain Risks and Complications, in our Spanish for Cardiology Course.

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LEVEL &n...

Learning how to take vital signs in Spanish is a fundamental skill for any healthcare professional working in a routine clinic or primary care setting. In this episode, you'll hear an intermediate-level clinical dialogue, a vocabulary breakdown, and grammar tips to help you communicate effectively with your Spanish-speaking patients.

Already a member? Access the full lesson, Vital Signs – Vocab and Interpret, in our Span...

Practice explaining angioplasty, stent placement, and when bypass surgery may be needed — clearly and naturally in Spanish. First, you'll hear Luis Almeida from Venezuela explain the procedure just as he would to a patient. Then we break it down together, reviewing the key vocabulary and grammar so you can use it in your work.

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Already a member? Access Angioplasty, Stents, and Bypa...

Learn essential Medical Spanish for obstetrics and improve communication with patients about reproductive health issues.

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Member? Access Sexual and Obstetric History – Essential Questions within our Gynecological History and Exam Course.

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LEVEL – INTERMEDIATE

00:00 - Intro
01:20 - Vocabulary
03:36 - Sexual intercourse
06:23 - Pre...

Learn to explain a coronary angiogram in Spanish — from IV placement to contrast injection and real-time imaging. First, you'll hear Luis Almeida from Venezuela explain the procedure just as he would to a patient. Then we break it down together, reviewing the key vocabulary and grammar so you can use it in your work.

 Watch the video lesson on YouTube!

Want access to the full lesson? ¡Hazte miembro!

LEVEL – AD...

Learn Medical Spanish for diabetes follow-up: glucose monitoring, A1c, and checking for protein in the urine, through a patient-centered dialogue followed by a vocabulary review.

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Already a member? Access this lesson within our courses to get the full lesson notes, a downloadable PDF, a quiz, and mark it as complete.

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