speaking sample doctor-patient dialogues

Some Troubling Symptoms
Patient: Good afternoon.
Doctor: Good afternoon. Have a seat. So, what have you come in for today?
Patient: Thank you. I'm feeling ill, I've got quite a bad cough, but I don't seem to have a fever.
Doctor: I see. How long have you had these symptoms?
Patient: Oh, I've had the cough for two weeks, but feeling ill just these past few days.
Doctor: Are you having any other problems?
Patient: Well, I've got a headache. I've also had a little bit of diarrhea.
Doctor: Do you produce any phlegm when coughing?
Patient: Sometimes, but it's usually pretty dry.
Doctor: Do you smoke?
Patient: Yes, a few cigarettes a day. Certainly no more than a half a pack a day.
Doctor: How about allergies? Do you have any allergies?
Patient: Not that I'm aware of.
Doctor: Does your head feel stuffy?
Patient: Yes, for the past few days.
Doctor: OK. Now let's have a look. Could you please open your mouth and say 'ah'?

Joint Pain
Patient: Good morning. Doctor Smith?
Doctor: Yes, please come in.
Patient: Thank you. My name is Doug Smith.
Doctor: What have you come in for today Ms Anders?
Patient: I've been having some pain in my joints, especially the knees.
Doctor: How long have you been having the pain?
Patient: I'd say it started three or four months ago. It's been getting worse recently.
Doctor: Are you having any other problems like weakness, fatigue or headaches?
Patient: Well I've certainly felt under the weather.
Doctor: Right. How much physical activity do you get? Do you play any sports?
Patient: Some. I like to play tennis about once a week. I take my dog on a walk every morning.
Doctor: OK. Let's have a look. Can you point to the area where you are having pain?

A Physical Examination

Doctor: When did you last come in for a physical exam?
Patient: I had my last physical two years ago.

Doctor: Have you had any other exams recently? Blood work, an EKG or an ultra-sound?
Patient: Well, I had a few X-rays at the dentist's.

Doctor: How have you been feeling in general?
Patient: Pretty well. No complaints, really.

Doctor: Could you roll up your left sleeve? I'd like to take your blood pressure.
Patient: Certainly.

Doctor: 120 over 80. That's fine. You don't seem to be overweight, that's good. Do you exercise regularly?
Patient: No, not really. If I run up a flight of stairs, it takes me a while to get my breath back. I need to get out more.

Doctor: That would be a good idea. How about your diet?
Patient: I think I eat a pretty balanced diet. You know, I'll have a hamburger from time to time, but generally I have well-balanced meals.

Doctor: That's good. Now, I'm going to listen to your heart.
Patient: Ooh, that's cold!

Doctor: Don't worry it's just my stethoscope. Now, breathe in and hold your breath. Please pull up your shirt, and breathe deeply... Everything sounds good. Let's take a look at your throat. Please open wide and say 'ah'.
Patient: 'ah'

Doctor: OK. Everything looks ship shape. I'm going to order some blood work and that's about it. Take this slip to the front desk and they'll arrange an appointment for the tests.
Patient: Thank you doctor. Have a nice day.

Pain that Comes and Goes

Doctor: How long have you been having this pain?
Patient: It started in June. So for more than five months now. My stomach hurts after some meals, but not always.

Doctor: You should have come in earlier. Let's get to the bottom of this. Have you changed your eating habits during this period?
Patient: No, not really. Well, that's not true. I'm eating the same foods, but less. You know, the pain seems to come and go.

Doctor: How strong is the pain exactly? On a scale of one to ten, how would you describe the intensity of the pain?
Patient: Well, I'd say the pain is about a two on a scale of one to ten. Like I say, it's not really bad. It just keeps coming back...

Doctor: How long does the pain last when you get it?
Patient: It comes and goes. Sometimes, I hardly feel anything. Other times, it can last up to half an hour or more.

Doctor: Is there a type of food that seems to cause stronger pain than other types?
Patient: Hmmm ... heavy foods like steak or lasagna usually brings it on. I've been trying to avoid those.

Doctor: Does the pain travel to any other parts of your body - chest, shoulder or back? Or does it remain around the stomach area.
Patient: No, it just hurts here.

Patient: … what about the problems I've been having sleeping?
Doctor: I'm going to give you a prescription for some medicine to help you get a better night's sleep.

Patient: Thank you doctor.
Doctor: Here, you can get this prescription at any pharmacy.

Patient: How often should I take the medicine?
Doctor: Just take one pill about 30 minutes before you go to bed.

Patient: How long should I take them?
Doctor: The prescription is for thirty days. If you're not sleeping well after thirty days, I'd like you to come back in.

Patient: Is there anything else I can do to help me sleep at night?
Doctor: Don't worry so much about things at work. I know, I know... easier said than done.

Patient: Should I stay home from work?
Doctor: No, I don't think that's necessary. Just remember to stay calm.

Stomache

P:Good Afternoon, doctor.

D:Good afternoon. What is your problem?

P:I have a stomachache.

D:What do you feel?

P:I have a strong pain and heartburn.

D:How long have you had this pain and acidity?

P:For 2 months now. It does not go way! I eat and after every meal my stomach hurts. Even at night the pain persists.

D:Tell me, in the last 2 months, have you eaten any kind of heavy food, or something different?

P:No.

D:How strong is the pain. Lets say in a 1 to 10 scale, how would you describe the intensity of the pain?

P:Between 4-5

D:Is the pain continuous or does it come and go?

P:It come and goes.

D:Does the pain come after meals?

P:That's possible because it hurts everytime after eating.

D:Is there a kind of food that affects you more?

P:Greasy food.

D:Greasy food affects you?

P:Yes. At home we eat a lot of greasy food.

D:Where in the abdomen does it hurt? Point please! Does the pain travel to your chest, shoulder, back or across your abdomen?

P:It hurts in the middle. Sometimes, the pain travels across my abdomen.

D:Besides the pain, you said you have heartburn?

P:Yes, after a burp, I feel a kind of sour taste.

D:Do you feel like this more during the day or in the evenings?

P:Both. I feel the acidity during the day and at night.

D:Is it worse when lying down?

P:Yes, I taste the acid in my mouth?

D:Besides greasy food, is there any other kind of food that irritates your stomach? Like spicy food?

P:No, at home we don't eat spicy food.

D:Ok. What we can do first is check your abdomen to see where the pain comes from. You said the pain comes from the middle-part of your abdomen?

P:Correct.

D:And does the pain move somewhere else, or does it stay there?

P:It usually stays there.

D:But with the pain, do you always feel acidity?

D:Ok. As I was telling you before, I am going to examine you. I want to examine you to check if you have any kind of parasite. Do you come from the tropics, or have you traveled anywhere recently such as the tropics, or overseas?

P:Yes.

D:Here in the United States, as well as in any other part of the world, one can find parasites. These can affect your stomach. I would also like to examine your upper gastrointestinal system through X-rays and contrast. It is a very simple thing and it does not hurt.  For now, do not eat greasy food. Do not eat close to your sleep time because it could cause you more acidity. Eat plain food, nothing spicy. As soon as I get the results from the medical test, I will talk to you. Do you have any questions?

P:With so many medical tests, I was wondering if I have an ulcer.

D:We need to think of that too. That is why I want that test. Any other question?

P:No doctor, thank you.

D:Good. We will see each other next week. Good bye.