English as a second language students can read over these doctor and doctor's office terms and expressions. Get ESL practice by completing the worksheets that go with the lesson below.
Matching Exercise Fill in the Blanks Word Order Worksheet ESL Listening Health Care Lesson
Premium The periodic payment made towards a health care policy. If health insurance is provided by a person’s employment the “premiums” are usually taken out of the monthly check.
“I pay $350 in health insurance premiums.”
HMO (Health Maintenance Organization)
This is a corporation that is financed by the premiums people pay who have chosen the specific HMO. People who work at larger corporations or for the state will usually have the option to choose a HMO to provide their health care. The HMO will have certain doctor’s and medical staff that take care of these patients. Different towns and states have different HMOs that cover the area.
“When I got hired on with Dell I was informed that I would be receiving Healthcare benefits. I had to pick one of the three HMOs that Dell uses as my provider.”
Co-pay This is the portion of the overall payment that the patient pays on the day of the doctor’s visit. The insurance covers the rest.
“When I got to the hospital I went straight to the check in desk.”
“The nurse told me that the physician would see me in five minutes.”
Physician’s Assistant Health care professionals licensed to practice
medical care with physician supervision.
“The Physician’s Assistant was able to see me about my condition.”
“You won’t need to see the doctor today. The nurse practitioner will
help you.”
Inpatient A hospital patient who receives lodging and food as well as treatment.
“The doctor told me to check in as an inpatient today since I would be
spending the night.”
Outpatient a patient who is not hospitalized overnight but who visits a hospital, clinic, or associated facility for diagnosis or treatment.
“If you are going to check in as an outpatient you won’t need to stay
overnight.”
“The diagnosis was good. The doctor told me I don’t have pneumonia.
she said I just had a cold and that I would just need to take these pills
to get better.
ICU (Intensive Care Unit) This is an area of the hospital where patients get constant attention. There is specialized equipment here to treat patients that are in a serious condition.
“After the accident she had to spend a week in the ICU.”
“Anyone who enters the OR needs to wear a mask and gloves.”
Emergency Room/ER
This is a section of the hospital that is designated for emergencies. There are nurses and doctors on duty at all times to treat patients right away. The staff will see any patient from a car accident victim to an elderly person suffering a heart attack. Patients who have immediate needs will either drive up to the ER door or be taken in by an ambulance.“I had to go to the ER when I fell and broke my leg.”
Physical/Routine Check up
This is an appointment with your doctor to check on a person’s general health. It is not a visit with the doctor to address an specific ailment or condition. “Every year I go to my doctor for a routine check up.”
Ailment The sickness or illness that the patient is suffering from.
“Because of his ailment he will not be able to run in the race.”
Ache A sharp pain that continues for a period of time. A common
phrase that is used with “ache” is a “headache”.
“I have a horrible headache.”
Sting This is a burning type pain that you would feel after a bee sting
or after scraping your knee badly.
“I fell and scraped my knee. It really stings.”
Throb
An ache that comes and goes in intensity.“My tooth is throbbing with pain.”
“I have a little tenderness in my arm where I was hit with the falling rock.”
Cramp
A sudden sharp pain felt in a muscle.“I woke up this morning with a cramp in my neck and shoulders.”
Swollen An area of the body that has become larger due to an injury, irritation or
discomfort.
“His finger is swollen from hitting it with a hammer.”
“When I hit my head I felt some dizziness and I had to sit down.”
“I was running a fever all day yesterday so I didn’t go to work.”
To go numb
A lack of feeling or sensation in an area of your body.“I don’t have any feeling in my hurt finger. It has gone numb.”
Broken/Fractured or Cracked Bone
This refers to a bone in the body that has a break or a separation of some sort.
“As a result of her skiing accident she broke her collar bone.”
“The runner sprained his ankle and needs crutches to walk.”