At Doctor’s
Making a Doctor’s Appointment
Doctor’s Assistant: Good morning, Doctor Jensen’s office. How may I help you?
Patient: Hello, I’d like to make an appointment to see Doctor Jensen, please.
Doctor’s Assistant: Have you been in to see Doctor Jensen before?
Patient: Yes, I have. I had a physical last year.
Doctor’s Assistant: Fine, what is your name?
Patient: Maria Sanchez.
Doctor’s Assistant: Thank you, Ms. Sanchez, let me pull up your file… Okay, I’ve located your information. What’s the reason for your making an appointment?
Patient: I haven’t been feeling very well lately.
Doctor’s Assistant: Do you need urgent care?
Patient: No, not necessarily, but I’d like to see the doctor soon.
Doctor’s Assistant: Of course, how about next Monday? There’s a slot available at 10 in the morning.
Patient: I’m afraid I’m working at 10. Is there anything available after three?
Doctor’s Assistant: Let me see. Not on Monday, but we have a three o’clock opening next Wednesday. Would you like to come in then?
Patient: Yes, next Wednesday at three would be great.
Doctor’s Assistant: All right, I’ll pencil you in for three o’clock next Wednesday.
Patient: Thank you for your help.
Doctor’s Assistant: You’re welcome. We’ll see you next week. Goodbye.
Patient: Goodbye.
Key Words and Phrases
- Make an appointment: schedule a time to see the doctor
- Have you been in before?: used to ask if the patient has seen the doctor before
- Physical (examination): yearly check-up to see if everything is okay.
- Pull up a file: find a patient’s information
- Not feeling very well: feel ill or sick
- Urgent care: similar to an emergency room, but for everyday problems
- A slot: an available time to make an appointment
- Is there anything open?: used to check if there is an available time for an appointment
- Pencil someone in: to schedule an appointment
Joint Pain
Patient: Good morning. Doctor Smith?
Doctor: Yes, please come in.
Patient: Thank you. My name is Doug Anders.
Doctor: What have you come in for today Mr. Anders?
Patient: I’ve been having some pain in my joints, especially the knees.
Doctor: How long have you been having the pain?
Patient: I’d say it started three or four months ago. It’s been getting worse recently.
Doctor: Are you having any other problems like weakness, fatigue or headaches?
Patient: Well I’ve certainly felt under the weather.
Doctor: Right. How much physical activity do you get? Do you play any sports?
Patient: Some. I like to play tennis about once a week. I take my dog on a walk every morning.
Doctor: OK. Let’s have a look. Can you point to the area where you are having pain?
Patient: It hurts right here.
Doctor: Please stand up and put weight on your knees. Does this hurt? How about this?
Patient: Ouch!
Doctor: It seems you have some inflammation in your knees. However, there’s nothing broken.
Patient: That’s a relief!
Doctor: Just take some ibuprofen or aspirin and the swelling should go down. You’ll feel better after that.
Patient: Thank you!
Key Words and Phrases
- joint pain = (noun) the connection points of the body where two bones connect including wrists, ankles, knees
- knees = (noun) the connection point between your upper and lower legs
- weakness = (noun) the opposite of strength, feeling like you have little energy
- fatigue = (noun) overall tiredness, low energy
- headache = (noun) a pain in your head that is steady
- to feel under the weather = (verb phrase) not feel well, not feel as strong as usual
- physical activity = (noun) exercise of any kind
- to have a look = (verb phrase) to check something or someone
- to have pain = (verb phrase) to hurt
- to put your weight on something = (verb phrase) put the weight of your body onto something directly
- inflammation = (noun) swelling
- ibuprofen/aspirin = (noun) common pain medicine that also helps reduce swelling
- swelling = (noun) inflammation