At the Doctor

 

Everyone has to go the the doctors at one time or another. Hopefully it is always for something minor. No
matter what the problem is there will be a number of common expressions that doctors use. Look at
some of these examples.

English Expressions- At the Doctor

Expression: What seems to be the problem?
Response: My left knee hurts when I bend it.

Expression: Where does it hurt?
Response: My right ear.

Expression: How long has it hurt?
Response: It started to hurt three days ago?

Expression: Have you done or eaten anything unusual in the last few days?
Response: No, just the normal stuff.

Expression: Let’s check you blood pressure, pulse, and temperature.
Response: OK.

Expression: You need an injection of penicillin and I’ll give you a prescription for pain pills.
Response: Can’t I have a pill instead, I hate shots.

Many people, when hearing you are sick, are likely to express their sympathy. Sympathy can be given for any
number of reasons, not just illness, but for any bad news- such as a death in the family, a lost promotion, or
other disappointment. Look at these examples.

English Expressions- Expressing Sympathy

Expression: I’m so sorry to hear about (… your father’s illness).
Response: Thanks, that’s kind of you.

Expression: I want to express my condolences ( …on your mother’s death).
Response: Thanks, I appreciate your kindness.

Expression: It’s too bad that ( … you didn’t get that promotion).
Response: Yes, well maybe next time.

Expression: It’s a shame (pity) that ( …your son didn’t get accepted into Harvard).
Response: How kind of you to say so.

Dialogue- At the Doctor

Doctor: What seems to be the problem today Jake.
Jake: I’m not sure Doctor, I just feel lousy all over. I have a splitting headache, my stomach is upset, all I
     want to do is sleep, and my right elbow is hurting.
Doctor: How long has this been going on?
Jake: It just started today. Yesterday I felt great, but when I woke up this morning …oh.
Doctor: Well let’s take your temperature and blood pressure and see how they are.
Doctor: (Later). You don’t have a fever, and your blood pressure and pulse are normal. There is a flu
     going around, but that wouldn’t explain your elbow hurting. Tell me, have you done anything or
     eaten anything unusual in the last couple of days?
Jake: Not really, I did go to a party last night and drank a little.
Doctor: What did you drink and how much?
Jake: Not much, 7 or 8 cans of beer and a bottle of tequila.
Doctor: Do you usually drink that much?
Jake: No, it was the first time drinking anything. I was celebrating my 21st birthday.
Doctor: Well, no wonder you feel lousy, you have a major hangover. Do you happen to remember if you
     fell down or hit your elbow against something?
Jake: Now that you mention it, I seem to recall I fell down when I was getting out of my car.
Doctor: Well your elbow seems OK, just a bad bruise. It’ll be OK in a few days.
Jake: What can I do to feel better?
Doctor: For your elbow, you might want to put on a cold pack. For your hangover, I suggest taking some
     aspirin, drinking lots of water, eating something light and going back to bed. You’ll feel good as new
     tomorrow.
Jake: Thanks doctor. You’re a life saver.

Conversation Activities- At the Doctor

1. Pair work- discussion
     Have you been to the doctor recently? Tell your partner about it using some of the ideas for discussion
     below. Your partner should ask questions to get more information.

when did you go
why did you go
where did you go
what kind of treatment did you receive
did you have a follow-up visit

2. Pair work- discussion
     Use your imaginations and express sympathy to your partner for the following situations. Your partner
     should tell you about the situations listed below. Continue the conversation by asking questions to get      more details of the situation

parents divorce
death of a friend
getting fired from a job
parents serious illness
being dumped by your lover
failing an important test

3. Pair work- Role Play
     Working with a partner, role play the situation, using the information below

The situation: At a doctor’s office
The roles: A doctor, a patient

The patient has the following symptoms or problems.
The doctor should:
     * ask what the problem is
     * ask how long it has lasted
     * ask if the patient has done or eaten anything unusual lately
     * make a recommendation for treatment

Patients problem: Cold: runny nose, cough, muscle aches
Doctor’s treatment: Bed rest, drink fluids (orange juice), prescription cold medicine

Patients problem: Fever: hot forehead, headache, shivering
Doctor’s treatment: Bed rest, alcohol rub, aspirin

Patients problem: Upset stomach: vomiting, stomach pain, nausea
Doctor’s treatment: Take antacid

Patients problem: Back pain: pain in lower lumbar region
Doctor’s treatment: Bed rest, massage, heating pad, take, analgesic (pain pill)

Patients problem: Head ache: Ppin in head, at temples
Doctor’s treatment: Bed rest, aspirin

Patients problem: Skin burn (from hot water): pain at site of burn, red skin, blisters
Doctor’s treatment: Cool site with cold water, apply aloe or other skin, burn ointment

Patients problem: Broken finger: extreme pain, lack of mobility
Doctor’s treatment: Set finger in cast, pain pill

Patients problem: Sore throat: pain in throat, difficulty swallowing
Doctor’s treatment: Gargle with salt water, take throat lozenges

Patients problem: Allergies: runny noose, sneezing, watery, itchy eyes
Doctor’s treatment:Take allergy pills