Toumaniba Medical Med 3-

Traoré English 2021

Lesson Plan Two

School: College of Medicine and Odonto-Stomatology Grade: 3rd
Course name: Medical English Duration: 02 hours
Lecturer: Toumaniba Traoré

Title: MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS: COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Main objective of the course:
The main purpose of this course is to permit the medical students to communicate correctly in
English language when diagnosing a patient.
Specific objectives:
To allow learners (future medical doctors) to:
 greet formally the patients and introduce himself/herself to the patients correctly in
English.
 ask questions inviting patients to describe the symptoms of their diseases in English.
 (being a patient) describe the symptoms of his/her disease en Shakespeare’s language.
 give instructions to the patients for undressing in correct English.
 give instructions to the patients for taking position on the couch in formal English.
 Instruct to the patients to get dressed in English language.
I. What’s medical diagnosis (diagnostic)?
The process of identifying a disease, condition, or injury from its signs and symptoms. A
health history, physical exam, and tests, such as blood tests, imaging tests, and biopsies, may
be used to help make a diagnosis.
II. Communication skills in medical diagnosis:
Good communication between doctor and patient is vital in order to establish an accurate
medical examination. In the following pages we show several key sentences which can help
you when interviewing a patient.
1. Greeting and introducing oneself:
 Good morning, Mr.
/Mrs………. Come and sit down
please.
I'm Dr. ………………...
Good afternoon, Mr. /Mrs………..
Take a seat, please.
I'm Dr. ………………...

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Toumaniba Traoré Medical English Med 3-
2021

 Hello Mr./Mrs………..
Come and sit down please/ Take a seat, please.
I'm Dr. ………………...
2. Invitation to describe symptoms:
1. Some possible questions the Dr. may ask:
Well now, what seems to be the problem?
Well, how can I help you?
What’s wrong with you please?
How are you feeling today?
What brought you to us today please?
What can I do for you please?
Do you have pain in the/ your ……….?
Do you get any pain in the/ your ………?
Would you please tell me how I can help
you?
Your GP (general practitioner) says you've been having trouble with your chest. Tell me about
it please.
My colleague Dr. ………. says you have difficulties when you breathe. Is that correct?
How long have had it/them?
How long have been sick/ill etc.?
2. Some possible
answers/responses the
patient may give:
I’ m sick/ill/unwell. I have pain in my……… (chest, arm, back, leg, foot….)
I feel sick/ill/unwell.
I’ m having trouble with my (breathing, neck, stomach, leg, back, shoulder,
knee……...)
I’m sweating a lot.
I’m squeezing.
I suddenly breathe
fastly.
My (arm, neck, chest, shoulder, tooth, hand, leg, knee...) hurts.
It hurts when I swallow.
I feel like I’m going to throw up (vomit)
3. Instructions for undressing:
Would you mind taking off all your clothes except your
underwear? (men).
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Would you please take off all your clothes except your underwear and bra? (women).
Toumaniba Traoré Medical English Med 3-
2021

Lie on the stretcher with your shoes and socks off, please.
Roll your sleeve up, please, I'm going to examine your elbow. .
4. Instructions for position on couch:
- Lie down, please (supine position = position couchée sur le dos).
Lie on your tummy, please (prone position = position couchée sur le ventre).
Please turn over and lie on your back again.
Roll over onto your right side.
Sit up and bend your knees.
Lean forward (se pencher en avant).
Get off the stretcher (la civière, le brancard, le tendeur).
Stand up, please.
Lie on your back with your knees bent and your legs wide apart.
Lie on your tummy and relax.
Let yourself go loose.
5. Instructions to get dressed:
You can get dressed now. Take your time, we are not in a hurry.
Please get dressed. Take your time, we are not in a hurry.
6. No treatment:
There is nothing wrong with you.
This will clear up on its own.
There doesn't seem to be
anything wrong with your
shoulder.
Exercise: After learning communication skills about medical diagnosis, engage some
dialogues between a physician (medical doctor) and his patient in English. The dialogues must
be focused on the following diseases (angina, pericarditis, myocardial infarction and
aortic dissection).
NB: The doctor diagnoses the patient and the patient describes the symptoms of his/her illness.