At the doctor’s
1. Complete these questions a doctor might ask a patient. Then listen to the conversation and check.
1) What seems to be the ________?
2) Do you ________ when it started?
3) Where does it ________ exactly?
4) Is it ________ if I do this?
5) Are you ________ to anything?
6) Have you got any other ________?
7) Have you been ________ anything for it?
Show answers
1) trouble 2) know 3) hurt 4) painful 5) allergic 6) symptoms 7) taking
2. Write the answers to these questions. Then listen to the conversation again and check your answer.
a What problem does Mohammed have?
He has a terrible pain in his shoulder.
b When did it start?
________.
c What other symptoms does he have?
________.
d Has he been taking any medicine for it?
________.
e What action does the doctor want to take?
________.
Answer & Transcript
b About three days ago.
c He has a bad headache and he feels dizzy.
d No, he hasn’t.
e He wants to take Mohammed’s temperature and then do a full examination.
Transcript
(Mohammed = Egyptian)
Doctor: Hello, Mr ___ ?
Mohammed: Mohammed. Mohammed El Metwalli.
Doctor: Please take a seat. Now, what seems to be the trouble?
Mohammed: I’ve got a terrible pain in shoulder.
Doctor: I see. Do you know when it started?
Mohammed: About three days ago, I think.
Doctor: Oh, dear. Well, I’d better take a look. Now, where does it hurt exactly?
Mohammed: Just here, in the middle of shoulder, at the back.
Doctor: Right. Is it painful if I do this?
Mohammed: Yes, it hurts a lot.
Doctor: Are you allergic to anything?
Mohammed: No, I don’t think so.
Doctor: Hmm. Have you got any other symptoms?
Mohammed: Yes, I have a bad headache and I feel too dizzy.
Doctor: Have you been taking anything for it?
Mohammed: No, I haven’t. I wanted to see a doctor first.
Doctor: OK. Well, the first thing I want to do is take your temperature and then we’ll do a full examination.
Getting a diagnosis
1. Listen to Sharon Maurice talk to her doctor about a health problem. Tick the picture on the right that shows Sharon.
Show answers
c
2.
a What exactly is wrong with Sharon?
__________
b What does the doctor think is the cause?
__________
Show answers
a She has red blotches on her legs, and a rash on her arm.
b The doctor thinks it’s stress.
3. Look at the statements below. Tick True or False for each statement. Then listen again and check your answers.
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True |
False |
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a The blotches are all over Sharon’s body. |
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b They are getting worse. |
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c She noticed them two weeks ago. |
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d She also has a rash, which is very itchy. |
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e It’s caused by an allergic reaction to her cat. |
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f The doctor prescribes some tablets. |
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g He expects both problems to clear up quickly. |
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h Sharon has to go back in two weeks. |
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Answer & Transcript
a False
b True (they are getting bigger)
c True (about a fortnight ago)
d True (it’s really itchy)
e False
f False (the doctor prescribes a cream)
g True (in a few days)
h False (only if it doesn’t get better)
Transcript
(Doctor = South African)
Doctor: Good afternoon.
Sharon: Hi there.
Doctor: What seems to be the trouble?
Sharon: Well, I’ve got these red blotches all over legs ___ See? Here ___ and here.
Doctor: Oh, yes. I see. Are they painful?
Sharon: No, not at all. But they seem to be getting bigger.
Doctor: How long have you had them?
Sharon: About a fortnight now, I suppose. And there’s a rash, too, on arm.
Doctor: Oh, yes. That looks quite angry. Have you been scratching it?
Sharon: Yes, it’s really itchy. What do you think is causing it?
Doctor: Well, are you allergic to anything? Cats, for example?
Sharon: Not that I know of.
Doctor: Hmm. Do you feel stressed?
Sharon: Well, yes. I suppose I do. I’ve been very busy at work for quite a while, but ___
Doctor: Well, that might be it.
Sharon: What? Are you saying that this is because of stress?
Doctor: I think it could be. I’ll give you a prescription for a cream. It’s quite good, so in a few days the blotches should start to go, and the rash should clear up too.
Sharon: Good. Thanks a lot.
Doctor: Here you are. Come back and see me in a couple of weeks if it doesn’t get better.
Understanding the doctor’s instructions
1. Dr Vasquez is a doctor in Texas, US. He is speaking to a patient. Listen and answer the questions.
a What’s wrong with the patient?
__________
b Why doesn’t Dr Vasquez prescribe antibiotics?
__________
c What advice does he give?
____________
Answer & Transcript
a He’s coming down with the flu.
b Because the flu is a virus, so antibiotics aren’t any use.
c Dr Vasquez advises the patient to take some aspirin (to relieve the aches and pains and nausea) and to drink lots of water and stay in bed.
Transcript
(Dr Vasquez = Spanish; patient = American)
Dr Vasquez: OK, so I think you are coming down with the flu.
Patient: No, really?
Dr Vasquez: Yes. Antibiotics are no use, of course, as it is a virus, so I recommend aspirin to relieve the aches and pains, and nausea, of course. And you should drink lots of water and stay in bed.
2. Listen to Dr Vasquez diagnose three more patients. Complete the chart.
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Diagnosis |
Instructions |
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Patient 1 |
a chest ______ |
two tablets ______ a day for ______ days |
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Patient 2 |
a mild case of ______ |
use an ______ / come back ______ |
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Patient 3 |
a very bad ______ |
take ______ spoonfuls every ______ hours / don’t ______ / come back in ______ |
Answer & Transcript
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Diagnosis |
Instructions |
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Patient 1 |
a chest infection |
two tablets twice a day for five days |
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Patient 2 |
a mild case of asthma |
use an inhaler / come back next week |
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Patient 3 |
a very bad cough |
take two spoonfuls every three hours / don’t drive / come back in three days |
Transcript
Patient 1
Dr Vasquez: You have a chest infection, I’m afraid.
Patient: Oh, dear. Really? Are you sure?
Dr Vasquez: Yes. I don’t think it’s too serious, though.
Patient: Thank goodness for that!
Dr Vasquez: But you’ll have to take some antibiotics. Take two, twice a day. Once in the morning and again at night, for five days.
Patient 2
Dr Vasquez: Well, I think you have a mild case of asthma. It’s not too serious, so don’t worry, but I want you to use an inhaler whenever you feel short of breath. Come and see me next week and we’ll see how you are.
Patient 3
Dr Vasquez: I think this is a very bad cough. I’ll prescribe some strong cough medicine. Take two spoonfuls every three hours. It will make you tired, so don’t drive. Come back in three days and we’ll see if you’re better.
3. Imagine you are a patient of Dr Vasquez. Listen and tick ✓ the correct statements. Put a cross ✗ next to the incorrect statements.
a You should take two tablets, twice a day, before meals.
The problem should go in a couple of days.
b You shouldn’t drink alcohol, but coffee is OK.
You should start eating small portions of food.
c You need to exercise more often.
You shouldn’t drink alcohol or milk.
Answer & Transcript
a ✗✓
b ✗✗ Both alcohol and coffee should be avoided. The patient is told not to eat anything until they feel better (and then eat small portions)
c ✓✗ The patient should drink warm milk before going to bed.
Transcript
a I think you’re suffering from a migraine. I’ll give you a prescription for some tablets that are very good. Take two tablets, three times a day before meals. It should be better in a day or two.
b Well, I think this is good poisoning. You need to drink lots of water and avoid alcohol or coffee. Don’t eat anything until you start to feel better, and then have simple food that’s easy on the stomach, like rice and chicken. Oh, and have small portions.
c For insomnia, it’s often a matter of getting more exercise and avoiding eating too much, especially at night. Don’t drink alcohol and have some warm milk before you go to bed.