Doctor Visit: Study Companion & Vocab

Welcome to the study companion for “Navigating Healthcare: Talking to the Doctor”! This guide will help you review the key vocabulary and phrases we discussed, so you can feel more confident communicating about your health in English.

Key Vocabulary from the Episode

Here are the five important words we discussed. Understanding these will help you talk about healthcare!

1. Symptom (noun): A physical or mental sign that shows you have a particular illness or problem.
   • Example: A high temperature is a common symptom of the flu.
   • Simply put: A sign that you are sick.
2. Appointment (noun): A formal arrangement to meet someone at a particular time.
   • Example: You usually need an appointment to see a doctor.
   • Simply put: A scheduled meeting.
3. Prescription (noun): A piece of paper or electronic order from a doctor that allows you to get medicine from a pharmacy.
   • Example: The doctor gave me a prescription for painkillers.
   • Simply put: A doctor’s order for medicine.
4. Diagnosis (noun): The identification of the nature of an illness or other problem by examination of the symptoms.
   • Example: After tests, her diagnosis was a common cold.
   • Simply put: What the doctor says your illness is.
5. Referral (noun): An act of sending someone or something for professional help or advice.
   • Example: My family doctor gave me a referral to see a heart specialist.
   • Simply put: When one doctor sends you to another expert doctor.

Key Phrases for Talking to the Doctor

Making an Appointment:

• “Hello, I’d like to make an appointment to see a doctor, please.”
• “Do you have any appointments available today/tomorrow?”
• “My name is [Your Name], and I’m a new patient.”
• “What is the reason for your visit?” – Response: “I have some symptoms I’d like to discuss.”

Describing Symptoms:

• “I have a headache / sore throat / cough / fever.”
• “My stomach hurts / My back aches.”
• “I feel tired / nauseous / dizzy.”
• “I’ve been feeling [symptom] for [duration] (e.g., “I’ve been feeling tired for a week.”)
• “The pain is [sharp/dull/constant/comes and goes].”

Understanding Diagnosis & Treatment:

• “My diagnosis is [name of illness].”
• “You have [illness].”
• “I’m going to write you a prescription for some medicine.”
• “Take this medicine [how often/how many times a day].”
• “You should [advice].”
• “I’m giving you a referral to see a specialist.”

Asking Questions:

• “Could you please explain that again?”
• “What does that mean?”
• “How often should I take this medicine?”
• “Are there any side effects?”
• “When should I expect to feel better?”

Vocabulary Exercises

Exercise 1: Choose the Best Word

Read each sentence and choose the vocabulary word that best fits the blank.

1. To get medicine, you need a __________ from the doctor.
2. I woke up with a runny nose and a cough – classic cold __________.
3. The doctor’s __________ was that I had a minor infection.
4. She got a __________ to a dermatologist for her skin problem.
5. I called the clinic to make an __________ for next Tuesday.

(Answers: 1. prescription, 2. symptoms, 3. diagnosis, 4. referral, 5. appointment)

Exercise 2: Write Your Own Sentences

Write a sentence for each of the following words/phrases as if you were talking to a doctor:

1. Symptom:
2. Appointment:
3. Prescription:
4. Diagnosis:
5. Referral:

Comprehension Questions from the Episode

Test your understanding of the episode by answering these questions:

1. What is the first step you usually need to take to see a doctor?
2. What kind of information should you be ready to provide about your symptoms?
3. If a doctor gives you a prescription, what should you do with it?
4. What does it mean if a doctor gives you a referral?
5. What is one important question you should always ask if you don’t understand the doctor’s instructions?

Reflect & Discuss

Use these questions for personal reflection or to discuss with a study partner:

1. Have you ever had to describe a symptom in English? How did it go?
2. What kind of questions would you prepare to ask a doctor if you had a cold?
3. Why is it important to understand your diagnosis and prescription clearly?
4. What other healthcare situations (e.g., pharmacy, emergency room) do you think are important to learn English phrases for?

We hope this study companion helps you feel more prepared and confident when navigating healthcare in English! Keep practicing these phrases, and stay healthy.