Healthcare Conversations

Essential English for doctor visits, pharmacy trips, and medical situations

Making a Doctor's Appointment

A: Good morning, this is Dr. Smith's office. How can I help you?
B: Hi, I'd like to schedule an appointment. I've been having a persistent cough.
A: I'm sorry to hear that. Are you a new patient or existing patient?
B: I'm an existing patient. My name is Li Wei.
A: Thank you, Mr. Li. How about Tuesday at 2:30 PM?
B: That works perfectly. Should I bring anything with me?
A: Just your insurance card and ID. We'll see you Tuesday!

中文翻译:

A: 早上好,这里是史密斯医生诊所。有什么可以帮您?

B: 您好,我想预约就诊。我一直咳嗽不停。

A: 很抱歉听到这个。您是新患者还是老患者?

B: 我是老患者。我叫李伟。

A: 谢谢,李先生。周二下午2:30可以吗?

B: 那个时间很好。我需要带什么东西吗?

A: 只需要带您的保险卡和身份证。周二见!

Describing Symptoms to Doctor

Doctor: So, what brings you in today?
Patient: I've been experiencing severe headaches for about a week now.
Doctor: I see. Can you describe the pain? Is it sharp, dull, or throbbing?
Patient: It's more of a throbbing pain, usually on the right side of my head.
Doctor: Does anything make it better or worse? Light, sound, activity?
Patient: Bright lights definitely make it worse. It's better in dark, quiet rooms.
Doctor: This sounds like migraines. Have you had any vision changes or nausea?
Patient: Yes, sometimes I feel nauseous when the headache is really bad.

中文翻译:

医生:那么,今天是什么问题?

患者:我已经持续严重头痛大约一周了。

医生:我明白了。您能描述一下疼痛吗?是刺痛、钝痛还是跳痛?

患者:更像是跳痛,通常在头的右侧。

医生:有什么会让它好转或恶化吗?光线、声音、活动?

患者:强光肯定会让它恶化。在黑暗、安静的房间里会好一些。

医生:这听起来像偏头痛。您有视力变化或恶心的症状吗?

患者:有,头痛很严重的时候我有时会感到恶心。

At the Pharmacy - Picking Up Prescription

Pharmacist: Hi, are you picking up or dropping off today?
Customer: I'm picking up. My name is Zhang, last name Z-H-A-N-G.
Pharmacist: Let me check... Yes, I have one prescription for you. Can I see your ID please?
Customer: Sure, here it is. Can you explain how to take this medication?
Pharmacist: Of course! Take one tablet twice daily with food, morning and evening.
Customer: Should I avoid anything while taking this?
Pharmacist: Avoid alcohol, and don't take it on an empty stomach. Any other questions?
Customer: What if I miss a dose?
Pharmacist: Take it as soon as you remember, but if it's almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Don't double up.

中文翻译:

药剂师:您好,您是来取药还是送处方?

顾客:我是来取药。我姓张,Z-H-A-N-G。

药剂师:让我查一下...好的,有一个处方。我能看一下您的身份证吗?

顾客:当然,在这里。您能解释一下怎么服用这个药吗?

药剂师:当然!每天两次,每次一片,随餐服用,早晚各一次。

顾客:服药期间有什么需要避免的吗?

药剂师:避免饮酒,不要空腹服用。还有其他问题吗?

顾客:如果我漏服了怎么办?

药剂师:一想起来就尽快服用,但如果快到下一次服药时间了,就跳过漏服的那次。不要加倍服用。

Understanding Insurance Coverage

Patient: I have a question about my bill. My insurance should have covered this, right?
Billing Staff: Let me take a look at your account. What's your member ID number?
Patient: It's ABC123456789.
Billing Staff: I see the issue. This service requires a copay of $30, which is your responsibility.
Patient: I see. So my insurance did pay the rest?
Billing Staff: Yes, they covered $150. You only owe the $30 copay.
Patient: That makes sense now. Can I pay that today?
Billing Staff: Absolutely. Cash, card, or check are all fine.

中文翻译:

患者:我对我的账单有疑问。我的保险应该覆盖这个,对吗?

账务人员:让我看看您的账户。您的会员号是多少?

患者:ABC123456789。

账务人员:我看到问题了。这项服务需要30美元的共付额,是您需要支付的。

患者:我明白了。那我的保险支付了其余部分吗?

账务人员:是的,他们支付了150美元。您只需要支付30美元的共付额。

患者:现在明白了。我今天可以付吗?

账务人员:当然可以。现金、刷卡或支票都可以。

Emergency Room Visit

Nurse: What's the nature of your emergency today?
Patient: I fell and hurt my ankle badly. I can't put any weight on it.
Nurse: When did this happen?
Patient: About an hour ago. The pain is getting worse and it's very swollen.
Nurse: Okay, on a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is the pain?
Patient: Right now it's about an 8. It's really throbbing.
Nurse: I understand. We'll get you checked in right away and the doctor will see you shortly. Do you have any allergies to medications?
Patient: No, no allergies that I know of.

中文翻译:

护士:您今天的急诊是什么情况?

患者:我摔倒了,脚踝受伤很严重。我完全不能用力。

护士:这是什么时候发生的?

患者:大约一小时前。疼痛越来越严重,肿得很厉害。

护士:好的,从1到10分,疼痛有多严重?

患者:现在大约是8分。真的很痛,一跳一跳的。

护士:我理解。我们马上为您办理入院手续,医生很快就会来看您。您对任何药物过敏吗?

患者:没有,据我所知没有过敏。

Annual Check-up

Doctor: Everything looks good from your physical exam. Let's review your health history.
Patient: Great! I've been trying to eat healthier and exercise more.
Doctor: That's excellent! Your blood pressure is perfect. Any concerns you want to discuss?
Patient: Sometimes I have trouble sleeping. Is that something to worry about?
Doctor: Let's talk about your sleep routine. What time do you usually go to bed?
Patient: I try to go to bed around 11, but I often lie awake until midnight or later.
Doctor: Do you use screens before bed? Phone, tablet, computer?
Patient: Yes, I usually check my phone in bed. Is that bad?
Doctor: The blue light can interfere with sleep. Try avoiding screens for an hour before bed and see if that helps.

中文翻译:

医生:您的体检一切正常。我们来回顾一下您的健康史。

患者:太好了!我一直在努力吃得更健康,多运动。

医生:太棒了!您的血压很完美。有什么担心的问题想讨论吗?

患者:有时候我睡不好。这需要担心吗?

医生:我们来谈谈您的睡眠习惯。您通常什么时候睡觉?

患者:我试着在11点左右睡觉,但经常躺到半夜或更晚才能睡着。

医生:您睡前用电子屏幕吗?手机、平板电脑、电脑?

患者:是的,我通常在床上看手机。这不好吗?

医生:蓝光会干扰睡眠。试试睡前一小时避免使用屏幕,看看是否有帮助。

Asking About Side Effects

Patient: I started taking the medication you prescribed, but I'm feeling dizzy. Is that normal?
Pharmacist: Dizziness can be a common side effect when you first start this medication. How long have you been taking it?
Patient: Just three days. Should I stop taking it?
Pharmacist: Don't stop without talking to your doctor first. The dizziness often improves after a week. Are you experiencing anything else?
Patient: A little nausea, especially in the morning.
Pharmacist: Try taking it with food. That often helps with nausea. If symptoms get worse or don't improve in a week, call your doctor.
Patient: Okay, I'll do that. When should I be worried enough to call right away?
Pharmacist: If you have severe dizziness, fainting, chest pain, or trouble breathing, call immediately or go to the ER.

中文翻译:

患者:我开始服用您开的药了,但是感觉头晕。这正常吗?

药剂师:头晕可能是刚开始服用这种药物的常见副作用。您服用多久了?

患者:才三天。我应该停药吗?

药剂师:不要在没有咨询医生的情况下停药。头晕通常在一周后会好转。您还有其他症状吗?

患者:有点恶心,特别是早上。

药剂师:试着随餐服用。这通常有助于缓解恶心。如果症状加重或一周内没有改善,请致电您的医生。

患者:好的,我会这么做。什么时候应该立即打电话?

药剂师:如果您有严重头晕、昏厥、胸痛或呼吸困难,请立即致电或去急诊室。

Dental Appointment

Dentist: How have your teeth been feeling since your last visit?
Patient: Pretty good, but I've had some sensitivity to cold drinks lately.
Dentist: Let me take a look. Open wide, please. Does it hurt when I touch here?
Patient: Yes, that's the spot! What's causing it?
Dentist: Your gums have receded a bit, exposing the sensitive part of the tooth. Are you brushing too hard?
Patient: Maybe. I've been using a hard-bristled brush.
Dentist: I'd recommend switching to a soft-bristled brush and using gentle, circular motions. Also, try a toothpaste for sensitive teeth.
Patient: Should I floss differently too?
Dentist: Your flossing technique is fine. Just be gentle and don't snap the floss against your gums.

中文翻译:

牙医:自上次就诊以来,您的牙齿感觉如何?

患者:很好,但最近喝冷饮时牙齿有点敏感。

牙医:让我看看。请张大嘴。我碰这里疼吗?

患者:是的,就是那个位置!是什么原因?

牙医:您的牙龈有点萎缩,暴露了牙齿的敏感部位。您刷牙是不是太用力了?

患者:可能吧。我一直用硬毛牙刷。

牙医:我建议您换成软毛牙刷,用轻柔的圆周运动刷牙。另外,试试抗敏感牙膏。

患者:我也需要改变使用牙线的方式吗?

牙医:您的牙线使用技巧没问题。只是要温柔,不要让牙线猛拉牙龈。