Effortless English Learning - Effortless English for Doctor Visits !

 Effortless English Podcasts

Effortless English Learning

Effortless English for Doctor Visits !

Alison: Hi everyone, and welcome to another episode of the Effortless English Podcasts.
Alison: This is part of our Effortless English Learning series.
Alison: I’m Alison, and joining me is my amazing co-host, Will.

Will: Hello everyone! Thanks for tuning in.
Will: Today, we have an interesting topic for you all.

Alison: That’s right.
Alison: We’ll be talking about visiting a clinic and useful phrases for such situations.
Alison: It’s a very practical topic, don’t you think, Will?

Will: Absolutely.
Will: Whether it’s a cold, a fever, or something else, knowing what to say can make a big difference.

Alison: Exactly.
Alison: Before we dive in, a quick reminder to subscribe to our channel.
Alison: Don’t miss out on our upcoming episodes!

Will: And don’t forget, this podcast offers subtitles in multiple languages.
Will: If you need them, just turn on the CC option.

Alison: Now that’s taken care of, let’s get started.

Will: Yes, let’s jump right into today’s topic.

Alison: Now, we’ll play a short conversation between a doctor and a patient.
Alison: Pay close attention to the phrases used in the dialogue.

Will: That’s right.
Will: These are common sentences you might need when visiting a clinic.

Alison: Try to listen carefully to how they ask and answer questions.
Alison: After the recording, we’ll discuss it in detail.

Will: Okay, let’s listen to the dialogue.

Emily: Good morning, doctor.

Doctor: Good morning. What brings you here today?

Emily: I’ve been coughing a lot recently.

Doctor: I see. Do you have a fever?

Emily: Yes, I had a fever yesterday.

Doctor: Did you take any medicine for it?

Emily: No, I haven’t taken any medicine yet.

Doctor: Do you feel any pain in your throat?

Emily: Yes, my throat feels sore and dry.

Doctor: Have you been experiencing any headaches?

Emily: Yes, I’ve had mild headaches since last night.

Doctor: Do you have nasal congestion or a runny nose?

Emily: Yes, I’ve had both for a few days.

Doctor: It sounds like you caught a cold.

Emily: That’s what I thought too.

Doctor: I’ll prescribe some medicine for you.

Emily: Thank you. Should I take it before meals?

Doctor: Yes, take the medicine before meals, twice a day.

Emily: How long should I take the medicine?

Doctor: Take it for five days and see how you feel.

Emily: Do I need to come back for a follow-up appointment?

Doctor: Only if your symptoms don’t improve.

Emily: Okay, I’ll keep that in mind.

Doctor: Have you been getting enough rest lately?

Emily: No, I’ve been very busy with work.

Doctor: You should rest more to recover faster.

Emily: I’ll try to get more rest, doctor.

Doctor: Drink plenty of water and avoid cold drinks.

Emily: Got it. Can I still go to work?

Doctor: If possible, take a few days off to rest.

Emily: I’ll talk to my manager about it.

Doctor: That’s a good idea.

Emily: Should I avoid certain foods?

Doctor: Yes, avoid fried or spicy foods for now.

Emily: Is there anything else I should know?

Doctor: If your fever comes back, visit the clinic again.

Emily: Thank you, doctor. I really appreciate your help.

Doctor: You’re welcome. Take care and get well soon.

Emily: I’ll follow your advice. Thank you again.

Doctor: Have a nice day, Emily.

Alison: Alright, we just listened to a conversation between Emily and her doctor.
Alison: It was a pretty straightforward visit to a clinic, don’t you think?

Will: Yes, it was.
Will: The doctor asked all the usual questions to figure out what was wrong.
Will: And Emily explained her symptoms clearly.

Alison: Right.
Alison: So, let’s talk about some of the phrases we heard in the dialogue.
Alison: I noticed the doctor started with, “What brings you here today?”

Will: That’s a very common opening question in clinics.
Will: In British English, though, you might also hear, “What seems to be the problem?”

Alison: Oh, that’s a good one!
Alison: “What brings you here today?” is more casual.
Alison: “What seems to be the problem?” sounds a bit more formal, doesn’t it?

Will: Yes, it does.
Will: But both are polite and easy to understand.

Alison: Then there was another key question: “Do you have a fever?”
Alison: That’s super useful, especially when talking about cold or flu symptoms.

Will: I agree.
Will: In the UK, doctors might say, “Have you had a temperature?” instead.
Will: It’s just a slightly different way of asking the same thing.

Alison: That’s interesting!
Alison: I remember when I first heard “have a temperature,” I thought it sounded a bit odd.

Will: Same here, but after a while, it made sense.
Will: It’s one of those small differences between British and American English.

Alison: Exactly.
Alison: Another phrase I liked was, “Have you been getting enough rest lately?”
Alison: It’s a polite way to remind patients to take care of themselves.

Will: In the UK, they might say, “Have you been resting well?” instead.
Will: It’s just as polite, but slightly shorter.

Alison: Good point.
Alison: These little differences can sometimes cause confusion, can’t they?

Will: Definitely.
Will: For example, if someone says “take a temperature,” Americans might think it means checking your temperature with a thermometer.
Will: But in British English, it can also mean that you’re running a fever.

Alison: That’s so true!
Alison: It’s always good to clarify if you’re unsure what someone means.

Will: Absolutely.
Will: Communication is key, especially when you’re talking about health.

Alison: So, we’ve covered some key phrases and their differences.
Alison: Anything else you’d like to add, Will?

Will: Just one more.
Will: The doctor said, “Drink plenty of water and avoid cold drinks.”
Will: That’s advice you’ll hear often, no matter where you are.

Alison: Agreed.
Alison: Staying hydrated is super important when you’re sick.

Will: And one last thing: Did you notice how polite the doctor was throughout the conversation?
Will: It’s always good to use polite language, especially when speaking with a professional.

Alison: Absolutely.
Alison: Being polite helps create a better experience for everyone involved.

Will: And that’s a great tip for our listeners.

Alison: So, Will, what do you think would be different if Emily had gone to a hospital instead of a small clinic?

Will: That’s a great question, Alison.
Will: Hospitals are usually larger and much busier than clinics.
Will: The process often takes longer because there are more patients.

Alison: True.
Alison: You’d likely need to check in at a front desk first and wait until your name is called.

Will: Exactly.
Will: In the UK, you’d probably go through something called A&E, which stands for Accident and Emergency.
Will: In the US, it’s known as the ER, or Emergency Room.

Alison: Oh yes, I remember the first time I went to the ER in the US.
Alison: I didn’t know I needed to bring my ID and insurance card.

Will: That’s a good point.
Will: In the UK, you wouldn’t need insurance because of the NHS, the National Health Service.
Will: But you’d still need to explain your symptoms clearly.

Alison: Right, and that’s where many people run into trouble.
Alison: Sometimes, patients don’t know how to describe their symptoms in English.

Will: Yes, they might use the wrong words or mix up tenses.
Will: For example, instead of saying, “I’ve been coughing for three days,” they might say, “I cough three days.”

Alison: That’s a common mistake.
Alison: It’s important to use the present perfect tense for actions that started in the past and are still happening.

Will: Another common error is not being specific enough.
Will: If you just say, “I feel bad,” it doesn’t give the doctor much information.

Alison: Exactly.
Alison: You need to describe what kind of “bad” you’re feeling.
Alison: Is it a headache? A sore throat? Or something else?

Will: And let’s not forget pronunciation issues.
Will: Mispronouncing words like “fever” or “nausea” can lead to misunderstandings.

Alison: Oh yes, I’ve seen that happen.
Alison: One time, I said “nausea” wrong, and the doctor looked so confused.

Will: I’ve had similar experiences.
Will: When I first moved to the UK, I mispronounced “paracetamol.”
Will: It’s what they call acetaminophen in the US.

Alison: That’s a great example!
Alison: Knowing the local terms for medicine can be really helpful.

Will: And it’s not just medicine.
Will: You might hear different words for illnesses too.
Will: For example, “flu” is the same in both countries, but some people in the UK might say “a bug” instead.

Alison: Oh, I’ve heard that!
Alison: Someone once told me, “I’ve caught a bug,” and I thought they meant an actual insect.

Will: That’s funny, but it shows how cultural differences can lead to confusion.

Alison: Absolutely.
Alison: So, what can our listeners do to avoid these mistakes?

Will: First, practice describing your symptoms in English before you go to the doctor.
Will: Use simple, clear sentences like, “I have a headache,” or “My throat feels sore.”

Alison: That’s a great tip.
Alison: And don’t be afraid to ask the doctor to repeat or explain something.

Will: Yes, doctors are usually very understanding.
Will: They want to help you, so it’s okay to ask questions.

Alison: Agreed.
Alison: Communication is key, no matter where you are.

Alison: Now that we’ve covered the differences between clinics and hospitals, let’s share some practical phrases.
Alison: These can help our listeners feel more confident during their next doctor’s visit.

Will: Great idea, Alison.
Will: One simple but effective phrase is, “I’m here because I don’t feel well.”
Will: It’s an easy way to start the conversation.

Alison: Absolutely.
Alison: And when describing symptoms, you can use, “I’ve been feeling…” followed by how you feel.
Alison: For example, “I’ve been feeling tired” or “I’ve been feeling dizzy.”

Will: That’s a very natural way to explain your condition.
Will: Another helpful phrase is, “I’ve had…” to describe something that’s been happening for a while.
Will: For instance, “I’ve had a sore throat for two days.”

Alison: Perfect.
Alison: And if the doctor asks about specific symptoms, you can use simple yes-or-no answers.
Alison: Like, “Yes, I have a fever” or “No, I don’t have a headache.”

Will: Exactly.
Will: But if you’re unsure, you can always say, “I’m not sure, but…”
Will: For example, “I’m not sure, but I think I have a cold.”

Alison: That’s a great tip.
Alison: It’s better to give some information than none at all.

Will: Definitely.
Will: Another important phrase is, “What should I do?”
Will: This is useful if you’re unsure about what steps to take next.

Alison: Oh, I love that one.
Alison: It shows you’re ready to follow the doctor’s advice.
Alison: You can also ask, “Should I take any medicine?” or “Do I need to rest?”

Will: Yes, asking questions is very important.
Will: And don’t forget to confirm instructions.
Will: For example, “So, I should take this medicine twice a day, right?”

Alison: That’s a smart move.
Alison: It helps you avoid misunderstandings.
Alison: And for non-native speakers, repeating instructions is a great way to practice.

Will: Absolutely.
Will: And here’s another phrase: “Can I eat or drink anything while taking this medicine?”
Will: It’s useful if you’re unsure about dietary restrictions.

Alison: That’s a good one.
Alison: And if you’re not feeling better after a few days, you can say, “My symptoms haven’t improved.”

Will: Right.
Will: You can also ask, “Do I need to come back for a follow-up?”
Will: It’s a polite way to check if more visits are necessary.

Alison: These phrases are so useful.
Alison: And the best part is, they’re easy to remember.

Will: Exactly.
Will: We’d love to hear from our listeners about their experiences.
Will: Have you ever had trouble explaining your symptoms in English?

Alison: Or maybe you’ve used one of these phrases during a doctor’s visit.
Alison: Share your story in the comments below.

Will: Yes, we’d love to read your comments and answer your questions.
Will: Your feedback helps us make these episodes even better.

Alison: So, don’t be shy.
Alison: Leave a comment and let us know how these tips have helped you.

Alison: That’s it for today’s episode, everyone.
Alison: Let’s quickly recap the main points we covered.

Will: First, we listened to a typical conversation between a doctor and a patient.
Will: Then, we explored the key phrases used in that dialogue.

Alison: We also talked about the differences between clinics and hospitals.
Alison: And how to avoid common mistakes when describing symptoms.

Will: Plus, we shared some practical phrases to help you feel confident during your next visit.

Alison: Exactly.
Alison: Remember, it’s always important to stay calm and use simple, clear language.

Will: And don’t forget to ask questions if you’re unsure about something.

Alison: Absolutely.
Alison: Communication is the key to getting the care you need.

Will: Before we go, we want to thank all our listeners for joining us today.

Alison: Yes, thank you so much for tuning in.
Alison: We hope you found this episode helpful and informative.

Will: If you did, please subscribe to our channel.
Will: Your support means a lot to us.

Alison: And don’t forget to leave a comment below.
Alison: We’d love to hear your thoughts on today’s episode.

Will: Have you ever visited a clinic or hospital in another country?
Will: Or have you had any challenges explaining your symptoms in English?

Alison: Let us know about your experiences.
Alison: Your stories might even help other listeners.

Will: And if you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Will: We’ll do our best to answer them in a future episode.

Alison: That’s right.
Alison: Your feedback helps us create better content for you.

Will: So, until next time, stay healthy and take care.

Alison: Thanks again for listening, and we’ll see you in the next episode.