AT THE DOCTOR'S
23 The table below contains some common reasons for going to the doctor, illnesses and suitable doctor's advice. Work in pairs to match symptoms, illnesses or complaints and advice. Then, use them for the speaking activity below.
| Symptoms | Illness/complaint | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| diarrhoea / stomach ache / vomiting / a runny nose / a sore throat / a cough / high temperature / aching bones and head / | a cold / the flu / food poisoning / stress / | prescription / medicine / stay away from parks and gardens / take sleeping pills / take a long holiday / change your job / keep warm / get some rest / take vitamin C / |
| a very strong pain in my arm / can't move my hand / can't sleep (insomnia) / worrying too much / loss of appetite / | a broken arm / a sprained ankle / hay fever | go to hospital to set arm in plaster / bandage the ankle / use crutches / get some rest / take plenty of rest / don’t eat anything for 24 hours / drink water / |
| a swollen ankle / can't walk / red eyes | go to bed / take paracetamol for your temperature and the aches |
Student A
You are a patient at your local doctor's surgery. Choose one of the illnesses and answer the doctor's questions.
- How, when and where did it start?
- What are your symptoms?
- Have you taken any medicine or done anything else to help?
Target language:
- It started ... (two days ago).
- I feel ... (tired, hot, etc.)
- I had an accident ...
- It hurts here.
- I’ve got ... (a sore throat, a swollen ankle).
*- I can’t walk / sleep / etc. *
- Is it serious?
- What should I do?
Student B
You are the doctor. Ask the questions above and listen to Student A who will describe his/her symptoms.
Then, ask some of the questions on the right to make a diagnosis. Tell the patient what you think the illness is and give him/her some advice.
Target language:
- Does it hurt here?
- Is the pain getting worse?
- Do you have a cough / a temperature / a swollen ankle / etc.?
- Can you move your hand?
- What happens when you go near parks or flowers?
- Are you allergic to anything?
- I think you have / the problem is ...
- You should take ...
- You shouldn’t ...
