If you’re not feeling well and need to talk to a doctor, it’s crucial to know how to express your symptoms and understand instructions, especially if you’re doing so in English. In this blog post, we’ll guide you through important vocabulary and phrases you can use during a doctor’s appointment, at the pharmacy, and while recovering. Whether you’re learning English or just want to brush up on medical terms, this guide will prepare you for your next doctor’s visit.
Chapter 1: Booking an Appointment
Before visiting a doctor, the first step is often scheduling an appointment. Here’s the vocabulary you need:
✅ Appointment: A scheduled meeting with your doctor.
Example: I have an appointment with the doctor at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow.
✅ Book/Schedule an Appointment: To arrange a meeting with your doctor.
Example: I need to schedule an appointment with my dentist.
✅ Doctor’s Office (US)/Surgery (UK): The place where you visit your doctor.
Example: I waited in the doctor’s office until it was my turn.
✅ General Practitioner (GP): A doctor who treats general health conditions.
Example: My GP referred me to a specialist for my skin condition.
✅ Referral: A recommendation from your GP to see a specialist.
Example: I received a referral from my GP to see a cardiologist.
✅ Consultation: A meeting with your doctor to discuss your health.
Example: I had a consultation with the specialist to discuss my treatment options.
Talk to a doctor: First dialogue
Receptionist: Good morning, how can I help you?
Patient: I’d like to book an appointment with Dr. Smith.
Receptionist: What seems to be the problem?
Patient: I’ve been having severe headaches for the past few weeks.
Receptionist: Dr. Smith has availability on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Will that work for you?
Patient: Yes, that works. Thank you!
Learn more: Read the article about health problems vocabulary
Chapter 2: At the Doctor’s Office
Once you’re at the doctor’s office, you’ll need to describe your symptoms and understand the doctor’s recommendations. Here are key terms:
✅ Symptoms: Signs of illness (e.g., fever, cough).
Example: I described my symptoms of fever and cough to the doctor.
✅ Diagnose: To identify an illness based on symptoms.
Example: The doctor diagnosed me with hay fever.
✅ Treatment: The recommended course of action to cure or manage an illness.
Example: The doctor prescribed antibiotics as the treatment for my infection.
✅ Prescription: A written order for medication from the doctor.
Example: I took the prescription to the pharmacy to get my medication.
✅ Examination: A physical check by the doctor to diagnose your condition.
Example: During the examination, the doctor checked my blood pressure.
✅ Test Results: Outcomes of medical tests used to help diagnose an illness.
Example: My test results showed that everything was normal.
Common Symptoms and Illnesses
Understanding common symptoms and how to describe them in English is essential when visiting the doctor. Here are a few terms:
✅ Cold: A common viral infection that causes sneezing, sore throat, and runny nose.
✅ Flu: A more severe viral infection that causes fever, body aches, and fatigue.
✅ Fever: A high body temperature.
✅ Headache: Pain in the head.
✅ Stomachache: Pain in the stomach.
✅ Sore Throat: Pain or irritation in the throat.
✅ Allergy: A condition in which the immune system reacts to substances.
✅ Rash: Red, itchy patches on the skin.
Talk to a doctor: Second dialogue
Doctor: So, tell me what’s the matter.
Patient: I’ve had a persistent cough and a severe headache.
Doctor: How long have you been experiencing these symptoms?
Patient: For about two weeks now.
Doctor: Let me have a look at your test results. It’s nothing serious. I’ll prescribe some antibiotics.
Learn more: Read the article about idioms related to health
Chapter 3: After the Doctor’s Visit
Once your doctor’s visit is over, you may need to fill a prescription and take your medication as instructed. Here are some phrases and vocabulary for this process:
✅ Pharmacy: The place where you can get your medication.
Example: I went to the pharmacy to pick up my prescription.
✅ Pharmacist: The person who prepares and dispenses your medication.
Example: The pharmacist explained how to take my medication.
✅ Dosage: The amount of medication you should take.
Example: The dosage is two pills twice a day.
✅ Instructions: Directions on how to take your medication (e.g., with food, on an empty stomach).
Example: The doctor gave me instructions to take the medicine with food.
✅ Side Effects: Unwanted symptoms caused by medication.
Example: One of the side effects of this medicine is drowsiness.
Talk to a doctor: Third dialogue
Pharmacist: Hi, how can I help you?
Patient: I have a prescription from Dr. Smith.
Pharmacist: Here’s your medicine. Take one pill twice a day on a full stomach. If you experience any side effects, contact your doctor.
Conclusion
Talking to a doctor in English doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right vocabulary, you can confidently describe your symptoms, understand the doctor’s diagnosis, and follow treatment instructions. Be sure to familiarize yourself with these phrases so you can use them when you talk to a doctor during your next visit.
