HEAAADERLOGORIGHT

MEDICAL ENGLISH · MEDICAL ISSUES · INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

TAKING
PATIENT
HISTORY
QrrkoD Scan to review worksheet

Expemo code:
1BAZ-3G9T-8LC

1 Warm up

In small groups, discuss the following questions.

1. What type of information do you need from a patient?

2. How long do doctors usually spend with each patient?
3. In which situations would a doctor spend a longer time with a patient?
4. Why is it important to get a detailed patient history?

FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 1/8

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Huong School's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

TAKING PATIENT HISTORY

2 Vocabulary

Match the words with the definition on the right.

1. wrap (v) a. very bad or unpleasant

2. wound (n) b. medicine to prevent bacterial infections

3. bacteria (n) c. smallest of life forms that live in air, water and soil and
can cause disease
4. infection (n) d. to cover completely in a material

5. nasty (adj.) e. a phone connection that uses wires and cables

6. antibiotic (n) f. state of getting a disease

7. landline (n) g. an injury in which the skin is cut or broken

Use the words above to fill in the gaps.

1. The dog bite left a very large on his leg.

2. The patient was given a stronger medication to prevent further .

3. When using an , you have to follow the directions carefully.

4. She cannot get text messages because she only uses a .

5. The researchers took water samples to test for .

6. When he opened the refrigerator, there was a very smell.

7. The company decided to each item individually for more protection.

3 Listening for general information

Tick off the type of information the doctor asks for.

1. full name

2. address

3. emergency contact

4. number of accidents

5. medication

6. number of children

7. mobile phone number

FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 2/8

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Huong School's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

TAKING PATIENT HISTORY

4 Listening for comprehension

Listen again and answer the questions. Check your answers with a partner.

1. Why did Mrs Evergreen go to the doctor?

2. What did she do the first day?

3. How did she cut herself?

4. What happens when the doctor presses on the wound?

5. What does the doctor think has happened with the wound?

6. What medication is she taking daily?

7. How long has she been taking allergy medication?

8. How long will she take the antibiotic?

9. Who is her emergency contact?

5 Vocabulary

Match the vocabulary with the definitions in the right column.

1. philosophy (n) a. increase in something

2. certificate (n) b. an official document

3. gain (v) c. exercise to strengthen heart and lungs

4. stable (adj.) d. an attitude that directs thought or behaviour

5. stretch (v) e. fixed; not likely to change

6. aerobics (n) f. straighten your arms and legs to let muscles tighten

Now fill in the gaps with the correct words.

1. After her surgery, she was put on a special diet in order to weight.

2. Before exercising, it is good to your muscles to prevent injury.

3. The patient is in condition after the car accident.

4. When it comes to raising children, our grandparents had a very different .

5. He needed a medical to prove he was able to travel.

6. The new fitness centre offers many different types of classes.

FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 3/8

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Huong School's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

TAKING PATIENT HISTORY

6 Listening for general information

Listen to the dialogue and tick off the questions the doctor asks the patient. Check your answers
with a partner.

1. Did he have a family doctor?

2. What was the name of his family doctor?

3. Length of time living at address?

4. Why did he move to this neighbourhood?

5. Does he have a room-mate?

6. Does he smoke?

7. Has he had any past health issues?

8. Which gym is he planning to go to?

7 Listening for comprehension

Listen again and fill in the patient information form.

FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 4/8

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Huong School's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

TAKING PATIENT HISTORY

8 Grammar Point
Present perfect continuous is used to show the duration of an activity that started in the past and is
still continuing.

It is formed the following way:

has/have + been + verb + "ing"

a) How long have you been taking this medication?

b) I have been taking it for the past five years.

a) How long have you been living at this address?

b) I have been living there since May.

a) How long have you been smoking?

b) I have been smoking for about six years now.

Remember that for and since are used with the present perfect continuous to show the duration of
the activity.

for → period of time (amount of time)

since → specific point in time (starting moment in time)

Part A: Fill in the gaps with the present perfect continuous form of the verb in brackets and choose
the correct time expression: for or since.

1. He (live) here six years.

2. She (wear) glasses 2010.

3. The paramedic (drive) the ambulance this morning.

4. The patient is complaining; however, he (not/waiting) a long time.

5. The student is having problems in class because he (not/do) his homework

the last 6 weeks.

FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 5/8

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Huong School's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

TAKING PATIENT HISTORY

Part B: Look at the answers and write questions using present perfect continuous.

1. I have been driving since 2015.

2. She has been teaching for 20 years.

3. I have been experiencing pain in my shoulder for a couple of days.

4. I have been learning English for three years.

5. It has been raining for the past 3 days.

Part C: With a partner, write down four questions you could ask a patient using present perfect
continuous.

FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 6/8

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Huong School's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

TAKING PATIENT HISTORY

9 Talking point

In this exercise you will practice asking patients questions. Work in pairs. Look at the phrases below
that were used in the listening exercises. After each section, try and think of a different way to ask
the question.

Introductions
• What can I do for you today?
• What brings you here today?
1
•

Finding out personal details

• What is your marital status?

2
•
• What is your present address?
3
•
• How is your health?
4
•
• Can you step on the scale so I can check your weight?
5
•
• Do you exercise regularly?
6
•
• Are you taking any medication at the moment?
7
•
• Have you had any health issues in the past?
8
•

Closing

• If there is a problem, contact reception.

9
•

FOOOOTERRIGHT Learn without forgetting! 7/8

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Huong School's lessons.
 HEAAADERLOGORIGHT
INTERMEDIATE (B1-B2)

TAKING PATIENT HISTORY

10 Role play
In pairs, one of you will be the doctor and another the patient. Role play a short dialogue between
the doctor and patient. Remember the doctor should use greetings and ask for personal information.
Change roles for scenario 2.

Scenario 1

Doctor: A new patient has come to your office. You are not certain why he/she made an
appointment. Find out the reason and ask some personal details.

Patient: You are visiting the doctor for the first time. You have just moved to the area.
You have Type 2 diabetes and need some medication.

Scenario 2

Doctor: A patient comes in with very general symptoms. Ask more questions to get a
better idea of diagnosis.

Patient: You have a runny nose, headache and feeling very tired. You have had these
symptoms for a couple of days. You do not think it is a cold or flu.

11 Optional Extension
Choose one of the topics below and write a 100-word paragraph. Give examples to support your
ideas.

1. Do you think it is important to spend a longer time with a new patient? Why or why not? Give
examples to support your ideas.
2. Do you think that doctors have enough time to spend with each patient? Why or why not? Give
examples to support your ideas.

FOOOOTERLEFT Learn without forgetting! 8/8

Scan the QR at the top of Page 1 to review the lesson flashcards with Expemo.
© Linguahouse.com. Photocopiable and licensed for use in Huong School's lessons.