Speaking

Stage 1: Introductions and Opening Questions

Hello Steven, you’re here regarding your blood test results aren’t you.
_ Hello Maria, how are you feeling today?
_ Hello John, you are looking better today. How do you feel?

Stage 2: The Main Body

Informing the patient
_ Based on my examination it will be necessary to…….
_ The x-ray indicates that your child has………
_ The blood test results indicate that child has………
_ The tests show that it is probably a condition known as……
Describing the condition
Make sure your explanation is clear and well organised. For example:
The blood tests results indicate that you have Hepatitis A. Do you know anything
about this condition? No? Okay I will explain it to you.
It is a condition caused by….
The symptoms include…….
The best treatment is to…….
It is highly contagious so you need to….
Try not to talk continuously. Stop from time to time to check if the patient
understands your explanation.
_ Is that clear?
_ Do you understand so far?
_ Do you have any questions?
Reassuring the patient
Commonly, the patient will be concerned about their condition or treatment method, so
there are some standard expressions you can use to reassure the patient.
_ It’s nothing to get alarmed about. It’s just a routine check.
_ There really is nothing to worry about. It’s a standard procedure.
_ Let me reassure you, if you follow my advice the risks of future problems will be greatly
reduced.
Persuading the patient
_ If you return to work you run the risk of doing further damage to you health.
_ What is more important? The risk of permanent damage to your arm or a single game of
cricket?
_ Let me reassure you, if you follow my advice the risk of heart attack will be greatly reduced.
However if you do not follow my advice, and continue to smoke and drink heavily, then the
risk of heart attack is much higher.
Stage 3: Concluding the Roleplay
This can be a difficult part for some people. The important thing to remember is to
make the closing sentence short and concise. Here are some examples of how to do
this:
At a suburban medical clinic or general practice
_ Please make an appointment with reception to see me in a week. Goodbye.
_ Here is your prescription. Take it to your chemist and they will give you the

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medication. All the best.
_ Thanks for coming to see me today. Goodbye.
_ Please come and see me again in a week.
_ I would like to see your child again in two months time. Take care now.
In a hospital ward.
_ I’ll come back and check on your condition later today.
_ If there is any change in your condition please let me know.
_ If you need me again, just press the buzzer.
Therefore try to avoid statements such as: Do you have any further questions ?, if
you feel you have described the situation sufficiently already. If you feel that the
roleplay has concluded too quickly, you can summarise the important points from the
consultation. For example

Introduction:
What would you like to tell me?
How can I help you?
I haven’t seen you for a good long time, what has brought you along here today?
Why have you come to see me today?
What has brought you along here today?
Hallow! How are you feeling now?
What would you like to be called?
Did you have any trouble?
What do you think your problem is?
How do you think I can help you?
How old are you?
Are you married?
Do you have any children?
Do you have a partner?
How frequently do you have sex?
When did you last have sex?
Have you had any serious problem in the past?
Have you ever been in hospital for any reason?
Have you had any problem with pregnancy?
Have you ever had accident or injuries?
How long ago was this diagnosis done?
Who told you?
Who diagnosed you of having hepatitis?
Family history:
Have you this problem in your sibling?

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Are all your close relatives alive?
Is anyone taking regular medication?
How old was he when he died?
What did he die of?
How old was your father when he died?
Does anybody in your family have serious illness?
Do you have financial problem?
How old was your father when he died?
Do you have any hobbies?
Do you go abroad?
When did you last go abroad and where?
Do you use any form of contraception?
Have you ever been hospitalized for any reason?
Have you ever had problem with your pregnancy?
Have you ever had accidents or injuries?
Is there any thing else I need to know?
What do you think your problem is?
How do you think I can help you?
_ When did you first have the problem?
_ What do you understand by 'heartburn'?
_ When have you been getting it?
_ Have you ever noticed any particular kind of other discomfort or pain, perhaps associated
with the heartburn?
_ When you say 'after meals' - is that long after?
_ You're not regularly over-eating, are you?
More detailed questions
_ Do any particular foods seem to bring on your heartburn?
_ Now, have you noticed that any particular foods that trigger the heartburn, for example
fast food?

Drug history:
Are you taking any medication at the moment?
Did you take it regularly on time?
To what extent, was it successful?
Do you use any over-counter remedies / herbal / homeopathy?
Do you know if you allergic to drug?

Past history:

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Have you ever fainted?
What about fits?
Have you ever had any dizziness?
Do you get ringing in your ears?
Have you ever had any numbness in your limbs?

Weight:
What is your weight?
How much do you weight?
As you know your weight is not proportional to your height.
You need to lose your weight.
You should cut down on your smoking / your fatty foods.

Work:
What are your work hours like?
Do you have work at the weekend?
Do you have to stand around (per day) a lot, on your work?
Do you work shift / on shift?
What did you do before this job?
How long have you been out of job? (Without job)
Do you have any hobbies?
Do you go abroad on holidays?
When did you last go abroad? Where?
How long were you in that job?

Alcohol
What about alcohol?
Have you tried any alcohol or cannabis?
What do you normally drink?
Are you a bear man or spirits?
How much do you drink in the week?
How often do you drink?
What is the most you would drink in a week? Wine, bear or spirit?
Can you give up alcohol if you want?
Are you aware of any difference in your alcohol consumption over the past few years?

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Pregnancy
How long did your pregnancy last?
Did you have any trouble during your pregnancy, such as high blood pressure?
How long were you in labor?
Have you had a miscarriage?

Menstrual problems
Are your periods regular?
How often do you get them?
When was your last period?
How old were you when you start to get them?
How long do your periods usually last?
Would you say they are light or heavy?
Do you feel edgy (nervous condition) or irritable?
Do you get clot?
How many pads do you use each day?
Have you seen clot?
Do you get pain before or during period?
Do you get period pains?
Is there a discharge between the periods?
Have you had any discharge?
What color is it?
Do the flushes interrupt your sleep?
When did you see the last one?

Pain
Did it come on slowly or suddenly?
Does it wake you up at night?
What type of pain do you have?
Have they made you feel sick?

Stress:
Are you worried?
What sort of things make you stressed?

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Tell me how you feel when you are stressed?
What do you do to relieve it?
Are you worried about anything?

Baby problem:
Do you give him foods supplement (supplementary foods)?
What's his appetite like?
Is he breast fed or bottle fed?
Do you eat low fat dairy product?
I'm afraid calorie is necessary for the child growth.
The more calorie you give him, the his growth will be better.

Difficult patient
I can not find any thing seriously wrong with you!
But I would like to have some blood tests before you leave the hospital!
That really interests me, tell me more, it seems important.
Are you basically satisfied with your life?
Tell me more about things at home/work.
Are you afraid that something bad is going to happen to you?
Is your relationship with any particular person causing you stress?
I am concern about what you are not telling me.
What kind of troubles have you been having?
… yes, I understand please continue.
Ok, we will come to that later
Ok, we will deal with that later
But I hope the problem will solve with this medications…

Confrontation: You look sad

You seem frightened
You sound angry
You seem tense
You seem very sad today
It seems your having trouble coping
You seem to be telling me that …

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It doesn’t sound too good. Does it?
It’ll all be fine, trust me.
Is there any thing else I can help you?

Empathy
That’s not good to hear.
I know what you mean
Ok, I understand
I see

Summarizing: If I have understood you correctly, you have told me….

If there are any questions, I will be pleased to answer them.
Empathy

Physical exam:
Could you take your trousers off? You can leave your underpants on.
I am going to press gently on your stomach, let me to know if you feel pain.
Well, I'll check you out, then after that, we will talk.
I'll just take your blood pressure now.
Would you roll up your sleeve, please?
Would you strip to the waist, please?
Just take off your shoes and socks.
Could you slip into this gown and leave it open at the back.
I am going to check your pulse.

Arthritis
Can you point out exactly were you feel the pain?
Does the pain disturb you at night?
How mush alcohol would you drink a day?
Have you had any diarrhea?
Have you traveled overseas recently?
Have you been drinking untreated milk recently?

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Low back pain
What is your general health like?
Can you describe the nature of back pain?
Was your pain brought on by an injury?
Is it worse when you wake up in the morning or later in the day?
Is the pain worse when sitting or standing?
Are you under any extra stress at home or work?
Do you feel tense or depressed or irritable?
Could you bend down as far as you can?

Red or tender EYE

Have you noticed blurring of your vision?
Have you been in close contact with others with the same condition?
Have you had a cold or running nose recently?
Do you wear contact lenses?
Can you recall scratching or injuring your eye?
What were you doing at the time you noticed trouble?
Have you been putting any drops, ointments or cosmetics in or around your eye?
Do you suffer from hay fever?
Do have any problems with your eyelids?
Had your eyes been watering for some time beforehand?
Have you had any other problem?
Have you been exposed to arc welding?

Neck pain
Do you wake up with pain in the morning?
Does the pain come on when you have to look up for awhile?
Can you recall an injury to your head or neck?
Is the pain present day and night?
Does the pain come on with activity?
Do you feel pain on both sides of your neck and over your shoulders?
Do your hands or arms feel weak or clumsy?

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Shoulder pain
Did you have any injury, even minor before your pain started?
Do you have trouble combing or attending to your hair?
Is the pain worse when you wake in the morning?
Do you have pain or stiffness in your neck?
Do you get pain associated with sporting activity?

Hip pain
Can you tell me how the pain started?
Could you describe the pain?
Doe the pain come on after walking and stops as soon as you rest?
Do have any difficulty climbing stairs?
Do your movements feel free?
Do you have a similar pain ache around the shoulders?
Have you had an injury such as fall?
Have you lost any weight recently?
Do you have night pain?

Knee pain
Can you explain in detail how the injury happened?
How soon after the injury did the pain develop?
How soon after the injury did notice swelling?
Have you had previous injury or surgery to your knee?
Were you able to walk after the injury?

Ankle pain
Did the pain twist in or twist out?
What happened immediately after the injury?
Were you able to walk straight away?

Breathlessness
Have you noticed if he is allergic to any thing?
Does she look well in general or not?
Is she otherwise healthy?

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Is your breathlessness worse at nights?
Do you keep a pet a home?
Has he/ Have you ever come to hospital before with a similar attack to today?
How bad is the shortness of breath?
How long has this been bothering you?
Is every thing else all Wright?
What were you doing today when the attack came on?
Do you smoke? Do you drink?

Acne
Are they itchy at all?
Are they localized on your face?
What color they are?
Have you notice any color change?
Did you have this problem in your puberty periods?
You should keep away from sunshine.
Have you taken any medication for it?
Don't manipulate with them.
Apply cream on all of your acne
It could be due to your stress

Headache
How would you describe the pain / your pain?
Can you explain where the pain is?
Was it like a tight band or was it more throbbing pain?
And did you notice anything lights in your eye on that side?
Did you have flashing lights in the eye on that side?
And have you any idea what might have brought this on?
And you've still got the headache now?
What did you find helped?

Chest pain
Hello, I am Doctor Smith, please take a seat.
So, how can I help you today?
Pain in your chest? Ok. Can you tell me bit more about it?

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So, came on suddenly?
And do you have any pain now?
And it was in the middle of your chest?
Did it go anywhere else?
Does this heart burn condition run in your family?
So you have pain in your jaw and your back?
And when you stopped to rested, did it go away?
Can you describe your pain? So heavy pressing pain?
It is long after or shortly after?
Did you have other symptoms at all?
What about palpitation, did you feel your heart beat start rapidly?
Have you noticed that any particular foods trigger the heart rate?
Did you feel faint? Nauseas? Any sweating?
Now about your ankle, have you noticed any swelling?
It is a warning sign.
It can lead to more serious heart problems, and we need to do some thing about it.
I'd like to refer you to a cardiologist for a thorough assessment, and we need to get onto
this fairly early.
You have to quit smoking.
Well, you are going to have to persevere.
Giving up smoking is the most important thing you can do to protect your health.
You said that, but ……..
Yes it is difficult, but…….
But you agree you should give it a go?
That's right, quitting for you is very important.
You should bear in mind ……..

Giving Advice:
Not all causes of ……. are known.
Can I ask if (whether) as I prescribed you took it?
What I will do is try you with set of antibiotics?
If you want to get rid of the infection, you will need to persevere.
You will need to complete the course, to allow them to take effect.
I am afraid only antibiotic will clear this up.
I am going to give you some advice / some piece of advice.

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I am going to have some laboratory test, is that Ok with you?
I will arrange for you carry on some test.
I can't exactly to say that.
You had better quit smoking.
The less you smoke, the sooner you will recover.
You had better visit with specialist.
With all do respect to your doctor, but I am not agreeing with him.
It might not very delicious, but it is healthier.
Your health is important than the taste of foods.
You need to obey hospital rules.
If I in your shoes …….. (If I were you ….)
Did you do as I told you?
Everybody needs a balanced diet.
What do you understand of the producers?

Ending:
Let me tell you what I am going to do, I would like to ….
Between now and then/next visit/that, time if you have any problem don’t hesitate to
come and see me
Is there anything else would you like to tell me?
Is there anything else I need to know?
Is there anything else you'd like to ask me?
Well, if you run into any problems, I want you to call and come to see me.
Just to see how you are coming along.
So make an appointment and ill see you then.
Recovery
It will go away
You will recover The more you SP, the sooner/more you
You will get rid of … will ….
It will clear up If I were you, I would …
Spontaneously= By it self =On its own …., aren’t you/ don’t you? (Question tag)
Probably= perhaps You had better ….
The only thing we can do… Indirect questions
You need to rest/ Get more rest We can not confirm diagnosis unless…
Not every lump is a cancer…

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As far as I know…
As far as I am concerned…
As a matter of fact…
To be honest…
To tell you the truth…
It’s most likely to be …. But we have yet
to confirm….

Useful verbs for interview

Start Decline F Assure

Come on Lower Inflammate
Bring on Weaken Swell
Break out Strengthen Protrude
Notice Increase Appear
Seem Raise Disappear
Sound Recover Get infected
Experience Get rid of Feel
Get Feel better Suffer from
Get used to Clear up Bother
Have got Improve Take care
Transmit Prescribe Watch (your weight)
Trigger Apply (cream) Consider
Trigger off Perhaps Control
Stimulate Suppose Help
Aggravate Insist Manipulate
Provoke Recommend Cut down (on)
Deteriorate Advise Cut off
Worsen Refer Quit
Sort out Check Keep away
Sooth Explain Be aware of
Alleviate F Arrange Be complaining of
Alley Make
Relieve Promise
Reduce Persevere

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