ENGLISH FOR DOCTORS, NURSES, AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Course details

Introduction

The program is designed to further develop the English and communication skills necessary for doctors and nurses to communicate effectively with patients and medical colleagues. It trains them in the “medical and nursing” vocabulary they need to work in the medical field. It introduces nurses to language characteristic of the medical setting. The program will cover the following topics: medical terminology and phrases, diagnostic and medication vocabulary, and the health system. The course will be presented in a modular approach, with units covering several key areas from history taking and examination to diagnosis and medical support. The course develops all four skills through a wide variety of activities.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, participants will be able to

• ƒConduct everyday interactions typically found in medical settings;
• Employ appropriate and effective communication strategies in patient-nurse interactions;
• Participate in conversations, structured discussions and short presentations pertaining to medical situations;
• ƒUtilize a wide range of key jargon from the most frequently used vocabulary in medical situations;
• ƒConduct routine communications confidently and appropriately;
• ƒRead written forms most commonly used in medical settings; and
• ƒIdentify the various aspects of the US medical system.

English for Doctors

Program Description

English in Medicine is a program for doctors, medical students and other medical professionals who need to communicate with patients and medical colleagues. The program consists of two levels, and each level is 60 hours. The instructional units focus on areas of doctor-patient communication, from history-taking and examination to diagnosis and treatment. The program develops all four skills through a wide variety of activities. The program has been updated to take account of developments in medicine and the impact of new information technology.

English in Medicine is designed for health care professionals who will need to use English in work situations and those who plan to go on work assignments in Englishspeakingcountries.

English in Medicine develops the vocabulary, language and skills that doctors need to read and understand medical texts, to be successful in medical exams, and to communicate effectively and accurately with patients and colleagues.

Curriculum

Level (1)

Taking a history 1

• Asking basic questions
• Taking notes
• Reading skills: Scanning a case history
• Case history: William Hudson

Taking a history 2

• Asking about systems
• Asking about symptoms
• Reading skills: Noting information from a textbook
• Case history: William Hudson

Examining a patient

• Giving instructions
• Understanding forms
• Reading skills: Using a pharmacology reference
• Case history: William Hudson

Special examinations

• Instructing, explaining and reassuring
• Rephrasing, encouraging and prompting
• Reading skills: Reading articles 1
• Case history: William Hudson

Level 2

Investigations

• Explaining and discussing investigations
• Using medical documents
• Reading skills: Reading articles 2
• Case history: William Hudson

Making a diagnosis

• Discussing a diagnosis
• Explaining a diagnosis
• Reading skills: Reading articles 3
• Case history: William Hudson

Treatment

• Medical treatment
• Physiotherapy
• Surgical treatment
• Reading skills: Using an online database