Write down what a doctor might ask/say to obtain/give the following information:
- the patient's occupation
- what the patients symptoms are
- when the patient has pains in his chest
- advise patient to change diet

Use the dialogue to complete the gaps.

SURNAME:

FIRST NAMES: John

AGE:

SEX: M MARITAL STATUS: S

OCCUPATION:

PRESENT COMPLAINT:

O/E
GENERAL CONDITION:

CVS:

PROPOSED ACTION:


The Dialogue

Constant patient

Patient: Good morning, Doctor, I have been feeling very unwell.

Doctor: Come in, Mr Brown. What seems to be the problem today?

P: Well, I'm really worried; I can feel a lump in my neck.

D: But Mr Brown, you've just had a CT scan and it was completely clear.

P: Well maybe, but that's not my only problem, I'm still suffering from shortness of breath, chest pains and dizzy spells.

D: When do these usually happen?

P: When I come back from my daily run.

D: That sounds quite normal after physical exercise, you had an appointment with the cardiologist a fortnight ago and according to his notes you have no problems with your heart at all.

P: Well maybe he missed something, I also get pains in my stomach, usually after eating, perhaps I have a peptic ulcer.

D: But Mr Brown, you had an endoscope and it was completely clear. How would you describe your diet?

P: I like a lot of spicy food.

D: Well maybe you should cut down on the chili and your stomach will feel better.

P: I think you should check me just in case.

D: Okay, I'll examine if you could just strip to your waist.

A few moments later

D: That's fine. I'll just check your pulse first of all. Fine, that's fine. It's quite normal, seventy-two per minute.

P: Er, right.

D: Now your blood pressure. Fine, that's quite normal too. 130 over 80.

P: Good.

D: Now I'm going to listen to your breathing. That seems fine. Mr Brown, I really can't see anything wrong with you. I've been checking your notes and you have been to this surgery at least twice a month for the last 12 months.

P: Well, I've been having a lot of health problems.

D: Yes, but Mr Brown you have seen a cardiologist, an oncologist and a gastroenterologist and no one has found anything wrong.

P: But I have been feeling unwell, I am sure there is something wrong with me.

D: Mr Brown, I think your problems may be psychological. I would like to refer you to a psychiatrist and maybe we can find out exactly what is wrong with you.

P: Well if you think it will help.

D: I am sure!

Glossary:
lump - guz
CT scan - tomografia
ulcer - wrzód
endoscope - endoskop
short of breath - trudności w oddychaniu
chest pains - ból w klatce piersiowej
dizzy - zawroty głowy
spicy - ostry
examine - zbadać
strip to the waist - proszę się rozebrać do pasa
blood pressure - ciśnienie krwi


Complete the following sentences using words from the dialogue.

1. The GP could find no symptoms of illness and suggested the problem was __________.
2. The patient complained of ________ of breath.
3. To examine the patient the doctor asked him to _______ to the waist.
4. The patient had a ________ to check for ulcers.
5. The patient had a _____________ to check the swelling in his neck.


KEY

- What do you do/what is your job? Marketing Manager
- How are you feeling/what's wrong with you? symptoms
- When does this pain occur/when do you get this pain? pains in chest
- Why don't you change your diet?/I suggest cutting down on certain foods. advice on diet


SURNAME: Brown

FIRST NAMES: John

AGE: 39 SEX: M MARITAL STATUS: S

OCCUPATION: Marketing Manager

PRESENT COMPLAINT: The patient claims to have shortness of breath, pains in chest, dizzy spells, stomach ache and lump in neck.

O/E
GENERAL CONDITION: no physical symptoms

CVS: 72/min 130/80

PROPOSED ACTION: refer to psychiatrist hypochondria