At the Doctor’s
Lesson Plan- 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
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