Introduction
Some of the following materials are specifically designed for persons whose native language is Chinese.
Lesson 8
Section 1
Making a Doctor’s Appointment
Read the following dialogue with a partner to learn important vocabulary used for making doctor's appointments. Practice this dialogue with a friend to help you feel confident when you next make an appointment.
Practice Dialogue.
Here's a short dialogue giving an example of making a doctor’s appointment. You can use this dialogue to practice with a friend, a classmate or yourself using your own information. Practice by each of you taking a role and reading the dialogue out loud. Then switch roles and practice reading the other person’s role.
You and your classmate may be asked to conduct your role play during the class.
Making a Doctor's Appointment
Doctor's Assistant: Good morning, Doctor Jensen's office. How may I help you?
Patient: Hello, I'd like to make an appointment to see Doctor Jensen, please.
Doctor's Assistant: Have you been in to see Doctor Jensen before?
Patient: Yes, I have. I had a physical last year.
Doctor's Assistant: Fine, what is your name?
Patient: Maria Sanchez.
Doctor's Assistant: Thank you, Ms. Sanchez, let me pull up your file. Okay, I've located your information. What's the reason for your making an appointment?
Patient: I haven't been feeling very well lately.
Doctor's Assistant: Do you need urgent care?
Patient: No, not necessarily, but I'd like to see the doctor soon.
Doctor's Assistant: Of course, how about next Monday? There's a slot available at 10 in the morning.
Patient: I'm afraid I'm working at 10. Is there anything available after three?
Doctor's Assistant: Let me see. Not on Monday, but we have a three o'clock opening next Wednesday. Would you like to come in then?
Patient: Yes, next Wednesday at three would be great.
Doctor's Assistant: All right, I'll pencil you in for three o'clock next Wednesday.
Patient: Thank you for your help.
Doctor's Assistant: You're welcome. We'll see you next week. Goodbye.
Patient: Goodbye.
Now listen to the dialogue between Ms. Sanchez and Doctor Jensen’s assistant without breaks.
Section 2
Key “Making an Appointment” Phrases:
Make an appointment: schedule a time to see the doctor
Have you been in before?: used to ask if the patient has seen the doctor before
Physical (examination): yearly check-up to see if everything is okay.
Pull up a file: find a patient's information
Not feeling very well: feel ill or sick
Urgent care: similar to an emergency room, but for everyday problems
A slot: an available time to make an appointment
Is there anything open?: used to check if there is an available time for an appointment
Pencil someone in: to schedule an appointment
Quiz #1
Section 3
Preparing for your Appointment
Once you've made an appointment you'll need to make sure you're prepared for your doctor's visit. Here is a short overview of what you'll need.
Insurance / Medicaid / Medicare Card
Doctors have medical billing specialists whose job it is to bill the correct insurance provider. There are many insurance providers so it's essential to bring your insurance card. If you are over 65, you probably will need your Medicare card.
Cash, Check or Credit/Debit Card to Pay for Co-payment
Many insurance companies require a co-payment which represents a small portion of the total bill. Co-payments can be as little as $5 for some medicines, and as much as 20 percent or more of larger bills. Make sure to check with your insurance provider for much information on co-payments in your individual insurance plan as these vary widely. Bring some form of payment to your appointment to take care of your co-pay.
Medication List
It's important for your doctor to know which medications you take. Bring a list of all medications that you currently take.
Section 4
Key Vocabulary
Medical billing specialist: (noun) a person who processes charges to insurance companies
Insurance provider: (noun) company that insurances people for their health care needs
Medicare: (noun) a form of insurance in the US for people over 65
Co-payment / co-pay: (noun) partial payment of your medical bill
Medication: (noun) medicine
Quiz #2
Section 5
Troubling Symptoms
Going to a doctor who doesn't speak your native language may sometimes prove challenging. The following is a sample dialogue that you can use when visiting a doctor about some troubling symptoms.
When you are not feeling well, you might need to describe further what you are experiencing and the format below might help you do just that. Practice alone or with a friend.
The patient in the dialogue below is feeling sick—they have a cough and diarrhea. However, even if you are experiencing other discomforts, you can use this dialogue as a blueprint for a medical conversation.
Practice Dialogue.
Some Troubling Symptoms
Here's a short dialogue giving an example of making a doctor’s conversation with a patient. You can use this dialogue to practice with a friend, a classmate or yourself using your own information. Practice by each of you taking a role and reading the dialogue out loud. Then switch roles and practice reading the other person’s role.
You and your classmate may be asked to conduct your role play during the class.
Patient: Good afternoon.
Doctor: Good afternoon. Have a seat. So, what have you come in for today?
Patient: Thank you. I'm feeling ill. I've got quite a bad cough, but I don't seem to have a fever.
Doctor: I see. How long have you had these symptoms?
Patient: Oh, I've had the cough for two weeks, but I have been feeling ill just these past few days.
Doctor: Are you having any other problems?
Patient: Well, I've got a headache. I've also had some diarrhea.
Doctor: Do you produce any phlegm when coughing?
Patient: Sometimes, but my cough is usually pretty dry.
Doctor: Do you smoke?
Patient: Yes, a few cigarettes a day. Certainly no more than a half a pack a day.
Doctor: How about allergies? Do you have any allergies?
Patient: Not that I'm aware of.
Doctor: Does your head feel stuffy?
Patient: Yes, for the past few days.
Doctor: OK. Now let's have a look. Could you please open your mouth and say 'ah'?
Now listen to the whole dialogue without breaks.
Section 6
Key Vocabulary
symptom = a physical or mental feature indicating a disease
to feel ill = to feel sick; to feel like vomiting
to cough = to expel air from the lungs with a sudden sharp sound
cough = an act of coughing; expression: to have a cough
fever = an abnormally high body temperature
headache = a continuous pain in the head
diarrhea = a condition in which feces are discharged from the bowels frequently and in a liquid form
phlegm = mucus; the thick substance secreted by membranes of the respiratory passages
allergy = hypersensitivity to a substance
stuffy = (of a nose) blocked up and making breathing difficult; expression: to feel stuffy
Other Troubling Symptoms
pain = suffering or discomfort
indigestion = pain or discomfort in the stomach
constipation = difficulty emptying the bowels
sore throat = pain in the throat
cut = an open wound
burn = an injury caused by heat or flame
Section 7
Read the following dialogue between a patient and her doctor as they discuss joint pain during an appointment. Practice the dialogue with a friend so you can feel more confident the next time you visit the doctor. Practice by each of you taking a role and reading the dialogue out loud. Then switch roles and practice reading the other person’s role.
You and your classmate may be asked to conduct your role play during the class.
A comprehension and vocabulary review quiz follow the dialogue.
Patient: Good morning. Doctor Smith?
Doctor: Yes, please come in.
Patient: Thank you. My name is Doug Anders.
Doctor: What have you come in for today Mr. Anders?
Patient: I've been having some pain in my joints, especially the knees.
Doctor: How long have you been having the pain?
Patient: I'd say it started three or four months ago. It's been getting worse recently.
Doctor: Are you having any other problems like weakness, fatigue or headaches?
Patient: Well, I've certainly felt under the weather.
Doctor: Right. How much physical activity do you get? Do you play any sports?
Patient: Some. I like to play tennis about once a week. I take my dog on a walk every morning.
Doctor: OK. Let's have a look. Can you point to the area where you are having pain?
Patient: It hurts right here.
Doctor: Please stand up and put weight on your knees. Does this hurt? How about this?
Patient: Ouch!
Doctor: It seems you have some inflammation in your knees. However, there's nothing broken.
Patient: That's a relief!
Doctor: Just take some ibuprofen or aspirin and the swelling should go down. You'll feel better after that.
Patient: Thank you!
Now listen to the conversation without interruption.
Quiz #3
Section 8
Key Vocabulary
joint pain = (noun) the connection points of the body where two bones connect including wrists, ankles, knees
knees = (noun) the connection point between your upper and lower legs
weakness = (noun) the opposite of strength, feeling like you have little energy
fatigue = (noun) overall tiredness, low energy
headache = (noun) a pain in your head that is steady
to feel under the weather = (verb phrase) not feel well, not feel as strong as usual
physical activity = (noun) exercise of any kind
to have a look = (verb phrase) to check something or someone
to have pain = (verb phrase) to hurt
to put your weight on something = (verb phrase) put the weight of your body onto something directly
inflammation = (noun) swelling
ibuprofen/aspirin = (noun) common pain medicine that also helps reduce swelling
swelling = (noun) inflammation
Quiz #4
Section 10
Learning Assessment
Work with a classmate to write a short dialogue about …. including:
Yes and No questions
Information questions
Questions with greetings
Questions that exchange personal information
General questions
Questions using “like”