Intermediate · B1 / B2 · Health

Talking to a Doctor

Your goal: describe a problem clearly, answer questions, and understand the doctor's plan and advice.

1

Survival Phrases

Explaining the problem

  • It started about a week ago — a dull ache in my lower back.
  • It comes and goes, but it's worse after sitting.
  • I've been feeling wiped out for a couple of weeks.

Answering questions

  • No, I've not had a fever.
  • I'm not on any regular medication.
  • I had something similar last year — it cleared up in a week.

Understanding the plan

  • So what do you think it is?
  • What's the next step if it doesn't improve?
  • Are there any tests I should have?

Asking about meds/lifestyle

  • How long should I take these for?
  • Is there anything I should avoid?
  • Should I rest it, or keep moving?
2

Model Dialogue

Read the dialogue aloud twice — once for each speaker. Notice how B picks up A's words and adds something.

Doctor: So, Marina, what's brought you in today?

Marina: It's my lower back — a dull ache that started about a week ago. Worse after sitting.

Doctor: Any pain down the leg, numbness, or problems with the toilet?

Marina: No, none of that. Just the back.

Doctor: Good — those are the things I check for. It sounds muscular. Are you taking anything?

Marina: Just ibuprofen now and then.

Doctor: OK. I'd say keep moving — gentle walking, avoid heavy lifting for two weeks. If it's not better in three weeks, come back and we'll image it.

Marina: So keep moving, not rest it?

Doctor: Exactly — for backs, rest can make it worse. Stay active within pain. Any questions?

Marina: No, that's clear. Thanks, doctor.

3

Register: formal vs informal

SituationMore formalMore informal / natural
Describing onsetIt started about a week ago and it's worse after sitting.Came on a week ago, worse sitting.
AnsweringNo, I'm not on any regular medication.No meds.
Clarifying the planCould you just go over what to do if it doesn't improve?What if it's not better?
ConfirmingSo, to check I've understood — keep moving and come back in three weeks?So keep moving, back in three weeks?
At B1/B2 the line between formal and informal is often tone and softeners (just, a bit, possibly), not different words. Soften requests when the stakes are higher.
4

Typical Mistakes (B1/B2 & Portuguese interference)

  • I am feeling pain. → I've got a pain in my back. / My back hurts. ((my back hurts é natural))
  • I have a pain since one week. → I've had the pain for a week. ((present perfect + for))
  • The pain comes and goes, but it is worse after to sit. → It's worse after sitting. ((after + -ing))
  • I am not taking no medicine. → I'm not taking any medication. ((no any → any))
  • What I should do? → What should I do? ((ordem: aux + sujeito))
  • I will come back in three weeks, no? → I'll come back in three weeks, won't I? ((question tag negativa))
5

Culture Note

  • Doctors in English-speaking countries expect you to summarise the plan back ('So, keep moving and back in three weeks?') — it's valued, not rude.
  • Red-flag questions (numbness, toilet changes, fever) are standard screening — answer plainly, they're routine.
  • 'Stay active within pain' is genuine advice for back pain in modern guidelines — not laziness.
  • Time phrases matter: 'for a week' (duration) vs 'since Monday' (starting point).
6

Practical Task

  1. Rebuild the dialogue for a different complaint (persistent cough, stomach pain).
  2. Record both roles, summarising the plan back at the end.
  3. Write the doctor's instructions as a checklist you'd follow at home.
  4. Real-life mission: read a real NHS/health page in English on a common condition.

Before you finish, can you…

  • ☐describe onset, duration and what makes it worse?
  • ☐answer screening questions clearly?
  • ☐ask about next steps if it doesn't improve?
  • ☐summarise the plan back to confirm?
Bring your dialogue — the teacher plays a brisk doctor and asks three screening questions.