Common phrases for starting the consultationIt all begins with a greeting and an open-ended question. This sets the tone for the consultation and helps build rapport:
- Good morning, I’m Dr. [Name]. How can I help you today?
- What brings you here today?
- Could you please describe your symptoms?
If the patient hesitates, the doctor can guide them with more specific questions:
- When did it start?
- Is the pain constant or does it come and go?
- Can you point to where it hurts?
Clarifying the symptomsNext, the doctor needs to get a clearer picture of the current complaint:
- How would you describe the pain? (sharp, dull, throbbing, cramping?)
- On a scale from 1 to 10, how severe is the pain?
- What makes it better or worse?
- Have you noticed any other symptoms? (fever, nausea, fatigue?)
These types of questions are especially important when preparing for exams like the OET, where clinical reasoning is evaluated alongside language.
Past medical historyThe doctor should also find out if the patient has experienced this before or has any chronic conditions:
- Have you had anything like this before?
- Do you suffer from any chronic conditions? (e.g., diabetes, hypertension)
- Have you had any recent infections?
- Are you currently taking any medications?
Allergies, hospitalizations, surgeriesThis section is short but essential:
- Are you allergic to any medication?
- Have you ever had surgery?
- Have you been hospitalized recently?
Social historyTo complete the picture, the doctor asks about lifestyle factors:
- Do you smoke or drink alcohol?
- What is your occupation?
- Do you live alone or with someone?
- Are you under a lot of stress recently?