Going to the Doctor’s office can be different in every country, so it’s important to understand how it works where you are. In this guide, I will explain a little about how it works and the language that you need in most English-speaking countries. I will also share some cultural tips!
Usually, your doctor is called a GP which stands for General Practitioner. This is your standard doctor who you go to for everything! In the UK, we have the NHS (National Health Service), this means that British people can get free care. If you are a visitor, you might have to pay for some services.
Read this article and learn some useful phrases for your appointment. Then, test yourself with the FREE self-study worksheet!
Contents
- Book an Appointment
- Arriving at the Doctor’s office
- Filling out Forms
- Say How You Feel!
- Questions From the Doctor
- Extra Information
- Understand the Doctor’s Instructions
- Ask the Doctor Some Questions
- Be Polite
- Common Medical Words
- Cultural Tips
- Worksheet and Exercises!
- Books for Practise!
- Final Thoughts
1. Book an Appointment
Usually, you have to book an appointment before visiting the Doctor.
You can find out how to book an appointment in English here.
Find all of the most important vocabulary and advice for booking an appointment with the doctor!
2. Arriving at the Doctor’s office
The first person that you will meet when you arrive is the receptionist.
It’s polite to start with a friendly greeting and introduction, like this:
- Hello, I have an appointment with Dr. [Doctor’s Name].
- My name is [Your Name].
The receptionist might tell you to wait in the waiting room until the doctor is ready to see you.
3. Filling out Forms
It’s common for them to ask you to fill out a registration form. When you are filling out a form, you will need to give some personal information:
- First Name – e.g John
- Surname – e.g Smith
- Date of Birth – e.g 01/12/1990 (in the UK, we use the order Day / Month / Year)
- Place of Birth – e.g London
- Address – write where you live – e.g 123 Street, City, Country, Post Code
- Phone Number – e.g +44 123456789 (don’t forget your country code)
- Emergency Contact – the name and phone number of someone they can call in an emergency
- Medical History – write about any allergies or health conditions
- Signature – draw your name!
This is just some of the information that you have to give. The form might be a little complicated, so I have linked a typical form that you would see in the UK!
4. Say How You Feel!
To get the help you need, it’s important to say your symptoms clearly.
- I don’t feel well.
- I have a headache.
- My throat hurts.
- I have a fever.
- My stomach hurts.
- I am coughing.
- I have a runny nose.
- I feel dizzy.
5. Questions From the Doctor
The doctor may ask you some questions to understand you better.
- What seems to be the problem?
- When did your symptoms start?
- Have you had this before?
- Do you have any allergies?
- Are you taking any medicine?
6. Extra Information
Help the doctor by giving more details about your situation.
- I think it started yesterday.
- This is the first time I’ve had this problem.
- I am allergic to […..].
- I am taking […?…medicine…].
7. Understand the Doctor’s Instructions
After the examination, the doctor may give you instructions. Make sure you understand them.
- Take this medicine three times a day.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Drink lots of water.
- Avoid spicy food.
- Follow up in [ a specific time].
If you don’t understand what the doctor is telling you, ask them to repeat and write it down.
8. Ask the Doctor Some Questions
Don’t be scared to ask questions if something is unclear.
- Can you please explain that again?
- I didn’t understand. Can you speak more slowly?
- What should I do if my condition worsens?
- How many times should I take the medicine?
9. Be Polite
Say thank you!
- Thank you for your help.
- I appreciate your time.
- You’ve been very kind.
10. Common Medical Words
Here are some other words that you might hear at the GP’s Office.
- Diagnosis: Discovering what’s wrong with you based on how you feel.
- Prescription: A special paper from the doctor for medicine or treatment.
- Symptoms: Signs that something’s not right in your body, like pain or a fever.
- Medication: Medicine that helps you get better or stops you getting sick.
- Allergy: When something makes you itch, get red spots, or have trouble breathing.
- Blood Pressure: Checking how hard your blood is pushing in your veins.
- X-ray: A picture inside your body to see if anything’s wrong.
- Lab Test: A checkup on your body fluids (like blood or urine) to find out what’s going on.
- Emergency Room (ER): The place you go when there’s a serious problem and you need help fast.
11. Cultural Tips
It’s important to remember that there might be some cultural differences compared to your culture! In the UK it’s better to:
- Be on Time: Arrive at the doctor’s appointment at the right time. If you can’t go, tell them early.
- Wear Nice Clothes: Dress in comfy but nice clothes when seeing the doctor. Don’t wear pyjamas unless you must.
- Stay at the Right Distance: Keep a little space when you talk or get checked by the doctor.
- Forms and Papers: Fill in papers with your name, info, and health things. Bring your ID, insurance card, and medicine list if you have one.
- Ask Questions: It’s okay to ask questions and talk about your choices for care. If you don’t understand, ask again.
- Tell About Your Health: Share about past sickness, surgeries, allergies, and ongoing health issues. Be truthful.
- Language Help: If you don’t speak English well, ask for help. Bring a friend who can translate or ask for someone who speaks your language.
- Your Rights: Learn about your rights as a patient. You have the right to privacy and to say what you want for your care.
- Respect Culture: Doctors should respect your culture. If something is important because of your culture or religion, tell them.
- Keep Appointments: If the doctor says you need to see them again or visit another doctor, do it. It helps you stay healthy.
- Know About Insurance: If you have or need insurance, know what it covers and what you have to pay.
- Medicine Info: Ask where to get your medicine and how to take it. People at the pharmacy can help too.
12. Worksheet and Exercises!
Test yourself on how much of this vocabulary you can remember with this worksheet:
13. Books for Practice!
This book explains doctor visits simply, making it great for new English learners. Improve your English and feel more comfortable at the doctor’s office
This book shows the inside of your body in a simple way, good for new English learners. Learn so vocabulary about the body before your next doctor’s visit!
An alphabet book goes over the ABC’s of visiting the doctor, from examinations and fevers to nurses and urine samples–to help make a trip to the doctor’s office a little less scary.
Final Thoughts
Going to the doctor’s office in another country can be scary, but if you prepare yourself with all the right vocabulary, you’ll be fine!
Get notified when a new post is up and it’s time to practice!
SUBSCRIBE
Speaking Practice!
Time to start speaking! You can practice everything that you have just learnt with a real life tutor! Practicing conversation when learning English as a second language is like unlocking a door to a world of opportunities.
You want to put all of that hard English learning work into practice, and interacting with native speakers or all speakers in general is the best way to do that from the comfort of your own home! A great place where you can do this is on Italki!
(Disclaimer: by clicking on some of the links I have provided in this article, you will able to buy the books that I have recommended at no extra cost to you but a small commission for me! Happy reading! )
