Asking About Preferred Pronouns in Spanish: A Guide for Healthcare Workers

As a healthcare worker, it’s crucial to provide respectful and inclusive care to all patients. One important aspect of this is asking for and using patients’ preferred pronouns. While this practice is not yet common in many Spanish-speaking countries, it’s becoming increasingly important. We will guide you on how to ask about preferred pronouns in Spanish, offering three polite options and examples to help you navigate these conversations.

Why Asking About Pronouns Matters

Understanding and using a patient’s preferred pronouns is a sign of respect and helps create a more inclusive and welcoming environment. It can significantly impact the comfort and trust patients feel during their healthcare experience.

How to Ask About Preferred Pronouns in Spanish

Here are three respectful ways to ask about preferred pronouns in Spanish:

1. ¿Qué pronombres utiliza?
   • This translates to “What pronouns do you use?”
   • Example: Hola, me llamo Dr. Pérez. ¿Qué pronombres utiliza?
     • (Hello, my name is Dr. Pérez. What pronouns do you use?)
2. ¿Qué pronombres prefiere que yo utilice con usted?
   • This means “What pronouns do you prefer I use with you?”
   • Example: Hola, soy la enfermera Martínez. ¿Qué pronombres prefiere que yo utilice con usted?
     • (Hello, I am Nurse Martínez. What pronouns do you prefer I use with you?)
3. ¿Cómo prefiere que me dirija a usted?
   • This translates to “How do you prefer I address you?”
   • Example: Hola, soy el asistente médico García. ¿Cómo prefiere que me dirija a usted?
     • (Hello, I am Medical Assistant García. How do you prefer I address you?)

Providing Examples for Clarity

Given that asking about pronouns might be unfamiliar to some Spanish-speaking patients, it’s helpful to provide a quick example and state your own pronouns. This can make the concept clearer and encourage patients to share their preferences.

• Example: Hola, me llamo Dr. Pérez y yo utilizo el pronombre él. ¿Qué pronombres utiliza usted?
  • (Hello, my name is Dr. Pérez and my pronouns are he/him. What pronouns do you use?)

Asking about preferred pronouns is an important step in providing respectful and inclusive care. While this practice is not yet widespread in many Spanish-speaking communities, introducing it in your healthcare setting can foster a more welcoming environment for all patients. Use the phrases ¿Qué pronombres utiliza?, ¿Qué pronombres prefiere que yo utilice con usted?, or ¿Cómo prefiere que me dirija a usted? to ask respectfully. By providing examples and sharing your own pronouns, you can help patients understand and feel comfortable sharing their preferences.

By adopting these practices, you contribute to a more inclusive healthcare experience for your Spanish-speaking patients.