UNIT 3

IT REALLY WORKS!

LEAD – IN

1 Look at the pictures. What are the following used for? Use the prompts to make up sentences, as in the example.

● take temperature ● listen to chest ●weigh ● give injections

●scales ●stethoscope ●syringe ● thermometer

e.g. Scales are used to weigh ourselves.

2 Match pictures and specialists.

s urgeon doctor dentist nurse

3 The words below describe doctors who specialize in particular areas. What do they specialize in?

• Pediatrician

• Psychiatrist

• Neurologist

• Chiropodist

4 Match the verbs in A with the words in B, then decide which of the phrases are being described in five statements below.

1 You need a syringe to do this.

2 You need a scalpel to do this, and the patient usually has stitches and a scar afterwards.

3 You need to take this to the chemist's.

4 You need a thermometer to do this.

5 You need a stethoscope to do this.

A give take check feel write perform cure treat

B a temperature an injection a prescription a diagnosis an illness an operation sick ill a disease the heart beat

READING

5 Read the text and answer the questions.

A general practitioner or GP is also called a family doctor. He or she can treat most medical problems, but if the patient has a very serious condition, he/she will often refer the patient to a specialist. There are many kinds of medical specialists. For example, a pediatrician looks after children. A gynecologist specializes in women’s medical conditions. An obstetrician cares for pregnant women and delivers babies. A cardiologist deals with heart problems. If you have a serious problem with your skin, you can see a dermatologist. Surgeons perform operations. A psychiatrist looks after people with mental and emotional problems. Dentists look after teeth and optometrists check your eyes to see if you need glasses. If you have a serious eye problem, you may have to see an ophthalmologist. There are many more kinds of doctors who specialize in different areas of the body. Your GP can determine if it is necessary to see one of these.

If you want to see your doctor, it is necessary to phone and make an appointment. The nurse or receptionist will ask you what the problem is and may ask you to describe your symptoms before she gives you an appointment. If you have an appointment with a doctor and cannot make it, you must call and cancel. If you call the doctor’s office and it is closed, there will be an answering service to take your call. If your problem is serious, the doctor will call you back. If he/she is not available, another doctor will be “on call”. Nowadays, walk-in clinics are becoming very popular. You do not need an appointment to see a doctor in these clinics. Many people use these for minor problems, particularly at weekends or evenings when their regular doctor’s office is closed. If you have a very serious medical problem, you can go directly to the emergency department of your nearest hospital or call an ambulance.

1 What does a GP do?

A GP cures only mental problems.

B GP treats most medical problems.

C GP provides emergency aid.

D GP performs operations.

2 What can a GP do if his/her patient has a serious medical problem?

A Introduce the patient to the psychiatrist.

B Help the patient to find the operating theatre.

C Refer the patient to a specialist.

D Send the patient to the chemists.

3 When you phone to make a doctor’s appointment, what will the nurse or receptionist ask you?

A What is the problem?

B How old are you?

C Are you pregnant?

D Where do you live?

4 What will happen if you call the doctor and the office is closed?

A A nurse will provide emergency aid next day.

B The doctor will be ready to help you in a day.

C The paramedic will sent somebody to take your temperature.

D The doctor will call you back.

5 What is walk-in clinic?

A Clinics for mental problems patients.

B Clinics that are ready to solve your minor medical problems on weekdays.

C Clinics that specialize only in serious medical problems.

D Clinics where you must have an appointment to see a doctor.

6 Match the words on the left with the correct meaning on the right.

1 GP

2 treat

3 pediatrician

4 obstetrician

5 psychiatrist

6 symptoms

7 receptionist

8 ambulance

9 optometrist

10 cardiologist

11 dermatologist

12 surgeon

A a person who checks your eyes

B a doctor who performs operations

C an emergency vehicle (car )

D a family doctor

E a heart specialist

F a person who answers the phone and greets people in an office

G give medical care

H a skin doctor

I a doctor who specializes in children

J a doctor who delivers babies

K condition of an illness

L a doctor who specializes in mental illnesses

LISTENING