Medical English

What is covered?

The structure and content vary depending on the learning objectives. However, topics covered may include: 

Intake, triage and medical history

• Clarifying the reason for the visit (e.g. What brings you in today?)
• Asking about symptoms and pain (e.g. When did the symptoms start?)
• Asking about medical history (e.g. Do you have any medical conditions? Are you currently taking any medication?)
• Concluding and summarising (e.g. So, if I understand correctly…)
• Explaining conditions or illnesses
• Explaining procedures or treatment plans

Cultural sensitivity

• Exploring word choice to respond with sensitivity to people according to their background

Terminology 

• Translating jargon into understandable English (e.g. You have a fracture, which means a broken bone.)
• Explaining bodily functions, physiology, conditions and illnesses
• Explaining tests and treatments (e.g. You will have an MRI scan. It’s a type of detailed imaging.)

Discussing results 

• Carefully phrasing results and diagnoses (e.g. The results show that…)
• Conveying difficult messages directly and empathetically (e.g.  I’m afraid I have some difficult news to share with you. It appears that…)

Advising and supporting 

• Explaining medication (e.g. Take this medication twice a day after meals.)
• Discussing warning signs (e.g. If you develop a fever, please contact us immediately)
• Arranging follow-up appointments (e.g. We would like to see you again in two weeks.)

Intercollegiate consultation with international colleagues

• Handover (SBAR: Situation… Background… Assessment… Recommendation…)
• Multidisciplinary consultation (e.g. What is your assessment?, I suggest we…)
   

Effective communication

• Greeting and building rapport (e.g. Hello, my name is…, I’m one of the… How would you like me to address you?)
• Reassuring (e.g. It’s understandable that you feel worried, but you are in good hands.)
• Listening, summarising and asking follow-up questions (e.g. You just told me… Could you tell me a bit more about that?)
• Giving instructions (e.g. Please sit down over here)
• Explaining actions, for example when providing ADL support (e.g. We are going to put your clothes on now.)
• Checking understanding (e.g. Can you please repeat the instructions in your own words)

Telephone communication

• Verifying identity (e.g. Can you confirm your date of birth?)
• Summarising without visual aids (e.g. Let me repeat that to make sure I understood you correctly.)
• Filling pauses (e.g. Please hold the line. I will transfer you to…)