Unit 3. Polyclinic

Unit 3. Polyclinic

Text:

The basic principle of the polyclinic is accessible and free specialized medical services. Large cities commonly have separate polyclinics for children and adults, as well as clinics with specializations such as women’s health care, mental or dental diseases. A polyclinic is a place where a wide range of health care services can be obtained without the need for an overnight stay. Polyclinics are sometimes co-located with a hospital.

A team of experienced healthcare providers works in any polyclinic: therapists, neurologists, urologists, gastroenterologists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, ENTs, ophthalmologists, surgeons, physiotherapists, dentists, radiologists and laboratory diagnosticians.

People usually go to the polyclinic to get treatment, prescription and medical advice. If a person falls ill or he’s got a high temperature or blood pressure, he will ring up his local polyclinic and call in a doctor.

In the polyclinic the patient first of all meets a receptionist. The receptionist asks clarifying questions and makes an appointment with a specialist.

During the appointment the physician asks the patient about his complaints and his health in general. Then he investigates the body of a patient for signs of disease. The main organ systems are investigated by inspection, palpation, percussion and auscultation. This is called physical examination.

After a thorough health evaluation the physician makes a diagnosis and decides what type of therapy is the most suitable for the case. To confirm the diagnosis he needs the findings of laboratory tests, chest x-rays, CT or ultrasound scans, ECGs and others.

Everything is registered in the medical card.

Another important member of the medical professional team is a nurse. She is a multiskilled person who assists the physician. Her duties typically include preparing treatment and examination room, assisting with minor procedures, giving injections, performing electrocardiogram. Besides she applies dressings, performs routine vaccinations, blood pressure checks, immunization for foreign travel.

In addition to treatment planning, the specialist offers long-term follow-up and monitoring of health indicators. One of the duties of a physician or a nurse is to provide a nursing service to patients at home. The nurse carries out the doctor’s administrations: blood pressure checks, administration of injections, etc.

New vocabulary:

1. accessible services – доступные услуги

2. to obtain a wide range – получить широкий спектр

3. a team of experienced healthcare providers – команда опытных медиков

4. ENT – ear, nose, throat specialist - оториноларинголог

5. high temperature or blood pressure – высокая температура или давление

6. to ring up the local polyclinic – позвонить в местную поликлинику

7. to call in a doctor – вызвать врача

8. a receptionist - регистратор

9. to ask clarifying questions – задавать уточняющие вопросы

10. to make an appointment – записать на прием

11. to ask the patient about complaints – спрашивать пациента на что он жалуется

12. to investigate for signs of disease – обследовать, чтобы выявить признаки болезни

13. inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation – осмотр, пальпация, перкуссия, аускультация

14. physical examination – физикальный осмотр

15. to decide what type of therapy is the most suitable – решить какое лечение самое подходящее

16. to confirm the diagnosis - подтвердить диагноз

17. the findings of laboratory tests, chest x-rays – результаты анализов, рентгеновского исследования

18. CT or ultrasound scans, ECG - компьютерная томография (КТ), УЗИ, ЭКГ

19. to assist with minor procedures – ассистировать во время «малых» операций

20. to give injections – поставить инъекции

21. to apply dressings – наложить повязку

22. blood pressure check – проверка кровяного давления

23. in addition to – кроме, в дополнение к

24. to offer long-term follow-up and monitoring – предлагать длительное последующее наблюдение и контроль

Answer the questions:

1. What is the basic principle of the polyclinic?

2. What kind of polyclinics do large cities commonly have?

3. Where can health care services be obtained without the need for an overnight stay?

4. Polyclinics are sometimes co-located with a hospital, aren’t they?

5. What specialists work in the polyclinic?

6. Did you consult any specialist?

7. Why do people visit polyclinics?

8. Who made an appointment when you visited your local polyclinic?

9. What are the duties of a receptionist?

10. What does any healthcare provider do during the appointment?

11. What are the main investigations?

12. What helps the healthcare provider to confirm the diagnosis?

13. Everything is recorded in the medical card, isn’t it?

14. Who helps the healthcare provider in his work?

15. What are the duties of a nurse?