Exercises:
Match the numbered questions (1 – 7) in B to the symptoms for the central nervous system (a – f). There are two questions for one of the symptoms.
headaches
hearing symptoms
faints
tingling (paraesthesiae)
fits
sleep patterns
2 . Read the extract from a consultation. In the numbered questions (1 – 4), is the doctor encouraging the patient to talk about her ideas (I), her concerns (C) or her expectations (E)? Look at C to help you.
Patient: I’m a bit concerned about my colic. I had a friend with something similar and it turned out to be more serious. It’s got me worried.
Doctor: (1) What do you mean by colic?
Patient: A pain in the stomach.
Doctor: (2) What do you think might have brought this on?
Patient: It just seemed to come on. I don’t know what it is.
Doctor: You said you were a bit worried because your friend had a similar problem. (3) What are your worries about this?
Patient: Yes, I had a friend. She turned out to have stomach cancer. She actually died in the end.
Doctor: (4) What were you hoping I could do for you today?
Patient: I just want to know that I don’t have anything too serious.
. Complete the sentences with phrasal verbs. Look at D to help you.
The headaches …………… ……………… in the morning.
However much I eat, I don’t seem to ………… …………… any weight.
I’ve tried to ………… …………….... smoking several times.
I’m so depressed I don’t feel I can ………………… ………………. .
He thought he had stomach ache but it ……………… …………….. to be cancer.
L esson 4
Sections of a case presentation
In a case presentation, a doctor presents the details of a patient’s case to colleagues at a clinical meeting in a hospital. A typical case presentation is divided into the following sections:
Sections |
Example language |
Introduction |
I’d like to present Mr. Simpson, |
Patient’s age and occupation |
a 34-year-old plumber, |
Presenting symptom(s) and duration |
Who presented with a one-month history of breathlessness. |
Associated symptoms |
He also complained of ankle swelling which he’d had for two weeks. |
Past medical history |
There was no relevant past history. |
Social history |
He was married with one son. He smoked 25 cigarettes a day and drank about 50 units of alcohol per week. |
Family history |
His father died of myocardial infarction at the age of 42. His mother was alive and well. |
Findings on examination |
On examination, he was obese… |
Investigation results |
We did a chest X-ray which showed… |
Diagnosis |
So we thought he had… |
Treatment |
We gave him intravenous furosemide and… |
Outcome–what happened |
He responded to treatment and was discharged home. |
Bedside presentation
A less formal type of case presentation can take place at a patient’s bed, for example during ward rounds, when the house officer presents a new patient to the consultant; or in a teaching ward round, when a medical student presents a case to the tutor. This type of presentation begins less formally:
Slides
In a formal presentation, the main points are usually summarized on slides.
Mr. Simpson 34, plumber c/o dyspnoea 1/12; ankle swelling 2/52 SH married with 1 son 25 cigs/day; 50 units alcohol/week PH nil relevant FH father d. 42 Ml; mother a&w OE obese P 110/min reg. BP 100/60 CXR enlarged heart and bilat. pleural effusions |