Episode 369
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Welcome back! This is the final episode in our 4-part series about going to the doctor.
So far, we learned how to make an appointment, how to check in at the clinic, and how to answer the nurse’s questions. In this lesson, we will focus on the conversation with the doctor.
This part can feel intimidating, but with a few simple expressions and some practice, you’ll feel much more confident.
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Useful Vocabulary and Expressions
Here are some common phrases the doctor might say:
"What seems to be the problem?"
"How long have you had these symptoms?"
"Does anything make the pain better or worse?"
"I’d like to listen to your heart and lungs."
"Open your mouth and say 'ah'."
"I recommend you take this medication."
"Please come back in two weeks for a follow-up."
And here are some ways you can respond:
"I’ve had this cough for three days."
"It hurts when I breathe."
"I feel dizzy when I stand up."
"The pain gets worse at night."
"I don’t understand. Could you repeat that, please?"
Realistic Examples
Example 1 – Simple Consultation
Doctor: "Good morning. What seems to be the problem?"
Patient: "I’ve had a headache since yesterday."
Doctor: "Do you have any allergies?"
Patient: "No, I don’t."
Doctor: "Okay, I’ll prescribe you something mild for the pain."
Example 2 – More Questions
Doctor: "How long have you had this cough?"
Patient: "For about a week."
Doctor: "Does anything make it better or worse?"
Patient: "It’s worse at night when I’m lying down."
Doctor: "I see. I’d like to order a chest X-ray just to be sure."
Example 3 – Follow-Up Visit
Doctor: "How are you feeling since your last appointment?"
Patient: "Much better, thank you. The medicine helped a lot."
Doctor: "Great. Keep taking it for another week, and then you can stop."
Extra Vocabulary
Prescription → a written order for medicine.
Dosage → the amount of medicine you should take.
Follow-up → another appointment to check progress.
Check-up → a general medical examination, even without symptoms.
Now, let’s practice.
GRAMMAR MADE EASY
POV Story: Grammar in Context
Notice how the verbs, pronouns, and time perspective change naturally.
First version
Past Tense - First Person
Last Monday, I went to see the doctor. I had been feeling sick for several days, and the nurse had already taken my temperature and blood pressure.
The doctor entered the room and said, "Good morning. What seems to be the problem?"
I explained that I had a cough, a sore throat, and a mild fever.
The doctor asked, "How long have you had these symptoms?"
I told him that they had started three days earlier.
He nodded and wrote some notes on his chart.
Then the doctor listened to my chest with a stethoscope.
He said, "Take a deep breath."
I breathed in slowly, and he listened carefully.
After examining me, the doctor smiled and said, "It is nothing too serious. You probably have a mild infection."
He wrote a prescription and explained, "Take this medicine twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Drink plenty of water and get some rest."
Finally, he said, "Please come back in one week for a follow-up appointment so we can make sure you are better."
I thanked the doctor, took the prescription, and left the clinic.
I still felt a little weak, but I was happy to know that it was not serious and that I would recover soon.
Second version
Present Tense - Third Person Plural
They go to see the doctor. They feel sick, and the nurse takes their temperature and blood pressure.
The doctor enters the room and says, "Good morning. What seems to be the problem?"
They explain that they have a cough, a sore throat, and a mild fever.
The doctor asks, "How long have you had these symptoms?"
They tell him that they started three days earlier.
He nods and writes some notes on his chart.
Then the doctor listens to their chest with a stethoscope.
He says, "Take a deep breath."
They breathe in slowly, and he listens carefully.
After examining them, the doctor smiles and says, "It is nothing too serious. You probably have a mild infection."
He writes a prescription and explains, "Take this medicine twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Drink plenty of water and get some rest."
Finally, he says, "Please come back in one week for a follow-up appointment so we can make sure you are better."
They thank the doctor, take the prescription, and leave the clinic. They still feel a little weak, but they are happy to know that it is not serious and that they will recover soon.
Third version
Future Tense - Jake
Jake will go to see the doctor. He will feel sick, and the nurse will take his temperature and blood pressure.
The doctor will enter the room and will say, "Good morning. What seems to be the problem?"
Jake will explain that he has a cough, a sore throat, and a mild fever.
The doctor will ask, "How long have you had these symptoms?"
Jake will tell him that they started three days earlier.
He will nod and will write some notes on his chart.
Then the doctor will listen to his chest with a stethoscope.
He will say, "Take a deep breath."
Jake will breathe in slowly, and he will listen carefully.
After examining him, the doctor will smile and will say, "It is nothing too serious. You probably have a mild infection."
He will write a prescription and will explain, "Take this medicine twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Drink plenty of water and get some rest."
Finally, he will say, "Please come back in one week for a follow-up appointment so we can make sure you are better."
Jake will thank the doctor, take the prescription, and leave the clinic. He will still feel a little weak, but he will be happy to know that it is not serious and that he will recover soon.
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary from This Episode
Review useful words and expressions before listening again.
01 stethoscope
an instrument used to listen to the heart and lungs.
02 mild fever
a body temperature slightly above normal.
03 infection
an illness caused by harmful microorganisms.
04 prescription
written instructions authorizing a medicine.
05 twice a day
two times each day.
06 follow-up appointment
a later visit to check recovery or progress.
07 recover
return to normal health.
08 take a deep breath
breathe in slowly and fully.
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