Unit 6: English for Health

Doctor	Good morning, Mr Crock. How are you today?
Crock	Not very well, doctor.
Doctor	Well come and sit down and tell me what's worrying you.
Crock	I've got terrible stomach ache, Doctor.
Doctor	How long have you had this pain?
Crock	Well, it started yesterday afternoon and I was terribly sick during the night.
Doctor	Take your clothes off, please, Mr Crock, and lie on the couch. No, don't take your trousers off. Just your jacket and shirt. Now, tell me where your stomach hurts you. Up here, or here in the middle, or down here?
Crock	It hurts all over.
Doctor	I see. It's probably nothing important, but I want you to have an X-ray.
Crock	You don't think it's serious, do you?
Doctor	I'll decide when I see the X-ray, so get dressed now and follow the nurse.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

What's the trouble with Mr Crock?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
What happened to him during the night?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
Where does his stomach hurt?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
Which is correct?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
What does the doctor think?
a.
b.
c.

[?]

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice Questions

Chose the correct answer.

Recording:

Transcript:

Reporter	Dr Wellman, we hear a lot these days about health and fitness. Can you give us some tips on how to stay healthy, avoid illness and live longer?
Doctor	Well first, eat the right food and the right amount. Research has shown that many illnesses - such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure - can be prevented or controlled by a balanced diet.
Reporter	How much should we eat?
Doctor	It depends, but you should try to control your weight by burning up calories with physical activity.
Reporter	What kind of food is best?
Doctor	Eat a variety of foods, especially vegetables and fruit and foods which are low in fat, such as fish.
Reporter	You mentioned exercise. Should we all start jogging or working out at the gym?
Doctor	Physical activity helps to prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and other disorders. But you shouldn't overdo it. Start slowly and keep at it. Walking can be just as good for you as jogging.
Reporter	What about alcohol and smoking?
Doctor	A little wine is fine, but if you smoke, give it up! It can damage your health.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

The doctor says we should eat:
a.
b.
c.

[?]
The doctor says we should eat:
a.
b.
c.

[?]
A balanced diet can prevent:
a.
b.
c.

[?]
Fish is good for you because it contains:
a.
b.
c.

[?]
What does the doctor say you shouldn't do?
a.
b.
c.

[?]

Exercise 3: Multiple Choice Questions

Chose the correct answer.

Recording:

Transcript:

It has always been essential in medicine to record and communicate information, but modern healthcare services are so large and complex that they now include a new service, Health Informatics. People in Health Informatics help to plan and implement research, they find new ways of making laboratory test results and x-rays available more quickly. They develop systems to free clinical staff from paperwork, allowing them to spend more time treating patients. They work to cut waiting lists and make sure that hospital beds are available when they are needed. Health Informatics staff also run the systems that allow health staff to communicate with each other, to access information, order supplies and book patient appointments. They work in hospitals, clinics and GP surgeries. They also work in fields such as social care and teaching hospitals.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Which is correct?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
Which is correct?
a.
b.
c.

[?]
Health Informatics staff do a variety of things, including:
a.
b.
c.

[?]
What is a teaching hospital?
a.
b.
c.

[?]

General Comprehension

Exercise 1: True/False Statements

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Speaking Practice. Complete the sentences you hear, using the example as a model.

Grammar Practice

Exercise 1: Transformation

Using the example as a model, change the structure and make a new sentence.

Exercise 2: Transformation

Using the example as a model, change the structure and make a new sentence.

Exercise 3: Transformation

Using the example as a model, change the structure and make a new sentence.

Exercise 4: Selections

Chose the correct answer.

Consolidation

Exercise 1: True/False Statements

For each of the statements below, choose True or False.

Recording:

Transcript:

Massage has existed for a long time, and many variations exist. Some methods aim at the restoration of function lost during surgery or because of immobility due to accidents or age. Masseurs use other methods with patients born with a disability or who have developed a disability due to a disease such as polio. Many massage techniques are used simply to provide general relaxation, improve the circulation, or remove stiffness after exercise.

Nowadays the physiotherapist often replaces the masseur. Physiotherapy uses a variety of techniques such as exercise, massage, manipulation, traction and some forms of hydrotherapy. Another aspect of physiotherapy, of course, is rehabilitation after injury or surgery. Physiotherapists also deal with rheumatic diseases, using specific techniques applied to the neck and low back areas.

Physiotherapy is a good career choice for blind and partially sighted people, and provides many opportunities for employment on completion of a recognised physiotherapy course. Blind and partially sighted physiotherapists work in all areas of the profession, including high levels of clinical speciality, management, private practice, sports clinics, research and teaching.

This exercise can be also done purely aurally/orally:

Massage is something new.

[?]
There is only one type of massage.

[?]
Masseurs treat not only sportspeople, but also people with disabilities.

[?]
Physiotherapy uses more techniques than massage.

[?]
Massage and physiotherapy are the same thing.

[?]
Physiotherapy is often necessary for rehabilitation after surgery.

[?]
It is impossible for a blind physiotherapist to get a good job.

[?]
Blind or partially sighted people can only do basic physiotherapy.

[?]

Exercise 2: Dictation

Listen to the complete recording first. Then go to the textbox and use the ‘>’ key to listen to the text section by section. Type what you hear into the textbox. For detailed instructions, read the Exercise Help.

Exercise 3: Cloze

Listen to the recording carefully and then fill in the gaps in the text below using the same words.

Recording:

Transcript:

Massage has existed [?] a long time, and many variations exist. [?] methods aim at the restoration of function lost [?] surgery or because of immobility [?] accidents or age. Masseurs use other methods with patients born with a disability or [?] have developed a disability due to a disease such as polio. Many massage techniques [?] used simply to provide general relaxation, improve the circulation, or remove stiffness [?] exercise.

Nowadays the physiotherapist often replaces the masseur. Physiotherapy uses a variety of techniques such as exercise, massage, manipulation, traction and some forms of hydrotherapy. [?] aspect of physiotherapy, of course, is rehabilitation after injury or surgery. Physiotherapists [?] deal with rheumatic diseases, using specific techniques applied to the neck and [?] back area

Checklist

Use the following list to check whether you have obtained full benefit from this unit. You should be able to:

give advice
recommend
give a command