English in medical training and clinical practice: perceptions in a border context.

Abstract

English is essential both in the academic training of physicians and in their clinical practice in Tijuana, since access to updated scientific literature, interpretation of technical information, and communication with patients who do not speak Spanish depend on this language. However, although English is constantly present in these settings, uncertainty remains about whether formal English instruction in universities truly responds to the practical needs of the professional environment. To examine this issue, an exploratory descriptive mixed-methods study was conducted with 285 participants, including medical students and practicing physicians. Quantitative data were collected through a Likert-scale questionnaire and complemented with semi-structured interviews analyzed using a thematic approach. The results showed consistently high evaluations of English, with no significant differences between students and physicians, as well as a positive relationship between its perceived importance and support for its inclusion as a mandatory subject. The interviews revealed that participants use English to consult recent literature, verify technical information, and, in some cases, communicate with foreign patients, although several noted that institutional courses remain disconnected from clinical practice. Overall, the findings indicate that English functions as a structural resource in the border region and that its instruction requires stronger alignment with authentic academic and clinical tasks.