Polyclinic

A polyclinic (or policlinic), is a place where a wide range of health care services (including diagnostics) can be obtained without the need for an overnight stay. Polyclinics are sometimes co-located with a hospital.

A typical polyclinic is an outpatient facility that houses general medical practitioners (GPs) such as doctors and nurses to provide ambulatory care and some acute care services but lacks the major surgical and pre- and post-operative care facilities commonly associated with hospitals. Besides GPs a polyclinic can house outpatient departments of some medical specialties i.e. gynecology, dermatology, ophthalmology, ENT, neurology, pulmonology, cardiology, endocrinology etc. In some university cities polyclinics house outpatient departments of all the teaching hospital in one building.

Polyclinics are common type of healthcare facility in many countries incl. France, Germany (long tradition), Switzerland and most of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (mixed Soviet-German model), as well as in former Soviet republics such as Russia and Ukraine; and in many countries across Asia and Africa. Recent Russian governments have attempted to replace the polyclinic model introduced during Soviet times with a more western model. However, this has failed. India has also set up huge numbers of polyclinics for former defence personnel. The network envisages 426 polyclinics in 343 districts of the country which will benefit about 33 lakh (3.3 million) ex-servicemen residing in remote and far-flung areas.  Polyclinics are also the backbone of Cuba's primary care system and have been credited with a role in improving that nation's health indicators.

Dramatize the following dialogues between the patient and doctor in a polyclinic:

Dialogue 1

Patient" Hello doctor! Can you spare me a few minutes?

Doctor: Certainly! Come in and sit down. Now, what is the matter with you?

P: That is just what I want you to tell me.

D: Well, tell me how you are suffering?

P: I seem to be generally out of sorts. I have no appetite for my food, and yet I am always suffering from indifestion.

D: Are you troubled with headaches?

P: Yes, I am. And what is worse I cannot sleep at night.

D: I see, What is your work?

P: I am a clerk in an office, and have to work long hours.

D: What sort of exercise do you take in the evening?

P: I am afraid I don't take any. I feel so tired when I get home that I simply want to sit down, or go to bed.

D: I see. Well, you are evidently run down, and need a rest and change. All your troubles are signs of nervous exhaustion. I will give you a nerve tonic but the main thing is rest. If you do as I say, you will soon be all right.

P: Thank you, doctor. I will follow your advice, Good sight!

D: Good night! And let me know how you get on.

Dialogue 2

P: Good morning, Dr. Sharma!

D: Good morning! What’s wrong with you?

P: I have been suffering from fever since yesterday.

D: Have you any other problem?

P: I also feel headache and shivering.

D: Let me feel your pulse and check your fever.

At this time the fever is 102 degree. Don’t worry, there is nothing serious. I am giving you the medicine, and you will be all right in a few days.

P: Thank you, doctor.

D: But get your blood tested for malaria, and come with the report tomorrow.

P: OK doctor.

D: I shall recommend at least two days rest for you.

P :Would you prepare a medical certificate for me to submit it in my office?

D: Oh sure.

This is your medical certificate.

P :Thank you very much. Please tell me how shall I take this medicine?

D: This medicine is for one day only. Take this dose as soon as you reach your home and the second at 3 pm and the third at night before sleeping.

P: What should I eat doctor?

D:You should eat only light food. You can take milk and fresh fruit also.

P: Thank you doctor. I shall see you tomorrow with my blood report.

First aid for sunstroke

Sunstroke is a type of heat stroke, prolonged direct sunlight of overheating in the sun. The main symptoms are: a headache, lethargy, vomiting, fever, pulse irregularities, respiration. It is also possible dizziness, red, dry, very hot skin (and that stops perspiration), severe fever, a person can become disoriented, sometimes following unconsciousness, rapid pulse, limiting, increase in body temperature to 40 degrees or more, strong meat muscular spasms. In severe cases, coma can occurn and cause in humans a number of negative phenomena Causes of sunstroke can be fatigue, excessive humidity, physical activity, too tight clothing.

R oot cause sunstroke sometimes is associated with sudden inability to dissipate body heat through perspiration, especially after strenuous physical activity. This causes an excessive increase in body temperature.

The primary goal of treatment is to raise the body temperature quickly. To do this you must:

- Loos or remove clothing and move the patient in cool water if possible. If no such possibility, then simply move the victim into the shadows and put a cold compress on his head, wrap a sheet (or napkins), soaked in cold water.

- Call immediately the medical help, but at the same time continue to provide first aid to lower the temperature, the time until the paramedics arrive. Do not give the victim any medications - they can be counterproductive and cause damage.

To protect themselves from heat and sunstroke, avoid prolonged sun exposure on the beach. In the first 2-3 days stay in the shade, especially from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Normal sunbathing duration should not exceed 15-20 minutes, then you can gradually increase it, but not more than two hours. It is better not to be in the sun lying, but in motion. Sunbathing should be taken in the morning and evening time and not earlier than one hour after eating. It is good to combine sunbathing with swimming and bathing. To prevent sunstroke one should not be in the sun too long, while hiking in the heat one needs to make frequent rest. Do not sleep in the sun. Choose a place to rest in the shade, cover your head with a hat. Do not use alcohol.

Elderly, small children, chronic invalids, and those people who take certain medications or drugs (especially tranquilizers), people suffering from epilepsy, excess weight are particularly susceptible to sunstroke.

	sunstroke	сонячний удар
	fatigue	втома
	excessive humidity	надмірна вологість
	sudden inability	раптова нездатність
	to dissipate	розсіювати
	strenuous	енергійний, напружений, важкий
	lethargy	сонливість
	to vomit	блювати
	dizziness	запаморочення
	unconsciousness	непритомність
	to soak	змочувати, замочувати
	napkin	салфетка
	counterproductive	продуктивний
	susceptible	чутливий