This course is designed specifically for health care professionals and was written with our Japanese learners in mind. It is expected that students who are non-native English speakers will have studied English for at least six years, in junior and senior high school. Therefore, every student will already have learned and practised introductions in English.
However, in a professional situation, and especially in dealing with patients who may be under great stress, there are some special considerations which we should talk about before studying and practising the conversations presented in this lesson.
Students will already know that English relies much less on fixed phrases (kimarimonku) than Japanese. Whereas almost every Japanese introduction involves "hajimemashite" or "yoroshiku onegaishimasu", there is a much wider selection of acceptable phrases in English. In general, English speakers tend to be less sensitive to personal status when choosing their phrases, and English speakers are much more ready to use casual modes of speech with people they have just met.
These are good general rules for English conversation. However, in a professional situation, you will need to be very cautious about your choice of words and your manner of speech. Whereas it is very good for the student to experiment and be creative with normal conversational English, we encourage you to practise and memorize the expressions taught in this lesson, and not improvise without guidance from a well-qualified teacher.
Remember also that for many English-speakers tone of voice and body language are more important than for many Japanese. Think about issues such as touch and physical closeness, as well as eye contact when you practise these conversations. These will become very important to your success in dealing with patients, particularly those who are under greatest stress.
In this lesson we provide two situations for your practice. In situation 1, you are dealing with a familiar patient who is not in crisis. In situation 2, you must efficiently introduce yourself to a patient who is in crisis. In this situation it is your professional obligation to inform the patient of your name and professional qualifications, and to reassure the patient that you are taking charge of their care.
Situation 1: Greeting a patient who is returning for a check-up after an operation.
Nurse Suzuki: Hello, Mrs. Smith. How are you today?Mrs. Smith: Getting better, I suppose.
Nurse Suzuki: You are looking much better.
Mrs. Smith: Thanks, but I feel so tired.
Nurse Suzuki: That's only natural, but you will be feeling much better soon.
Mrs. Smith: Thanks, Suzuki-san, you always cheer me up.
Nurse Suzuki: Mrs. Smith, the doctor will be with you in one minute. Would you like to have a seat?
Patterns:
... Mr./ Mrs./ Miss ...
* How are you feeling / How are you today / How are you doing
* I am getting / feeling / walking / sleeping
...a little / a lot / slightly / much
...better / worse / improved
* You are looking / walking / eating
...much / a little
...better / steadier
* Thanks, but I feel / seem
...so weak / tired / depressed
* That's only natural / That's only temporary / That's common
*Don't worry
* You will be feeling / walking / able to walk / able to stand...much better / comfortably
...soon / in a few days
* The doctor / lab technician/therapist
...will be with you / will call you / will be here
...in one minute / in a few minutes / very soon
Situation 2: A new patient in distress. A slightly overweight man in his 60's is brought into an emergency room on a stretcher. He is wearing an oxygen mask and is clutching his chest:
Nurse: Can you hear me? (Man does not speak, but nods his head "yes".)
Nurse: I'm Nurse Suzuki. I am going to look after you. Can you breathe alright?
Man: (in strained voice) ... very hard.
Nurse: Do you have pain? (Man nods "yes" and runs his right hand under his jaw, down his throat and to the center of his chest.)
Nurse: Have you had this pain before? (Man nods "yes".)
Nurse: Are you taking any medication for this problem? (Man opens his left hand which contains a bottle of pills. On the label the nurse sees the word "nitroglycerin" and the name "Mr. Adam Smith".)
Nurse: Are you Mr. Adam Smith? (Man nods "yes".)
Nurse: Mr. Smith, you seem to be having another attack of angina. I am going to take your ECG and the doctor is going to look at you right away? (Mr. Smith nods "yes" and looks relieved.)
Nurse: Mr. Smith, is there someone we should contact? (Mr. Smith nods "yes" and makes a sign with his hands as if writing on a piece of paper.)
Patterns:
* Can you
... hear me / understand me / understand what I am saying
...breathe / speak / sit up
* Do you have
...pain / any pain / much pain / trouble breathing
* Have you had
...this pain before / this problem before
...had this trouble before / had these symptoms before
* Are you
...taking any medication for this problem
...on any medicine
...receiving any pills / treatment
*Do you have any medication ...
* I am going to
... take your ECG
...take a look at your blood pressure
...check your breathing
* Is there someone we/I should
... contact / telephone / inform
*Can/Should I contact someone for you?
Discussion:
1. In situation 1, Nurse Suzuki tries to encourage Mrs. Smith. How do you feel about the importance of encouraging patients?
2. Is there any scientific evidence that encouragement helps in recovery?
3. Mrs. Smith seems depressed. What have you learned about depression in chronic illness? Is depression common in patients?
4. In the second situation, Mr. Smith apparently has heart disease which is very frightening. What extra fears do you think a patient has when they are in a foreign country?
5. Mr. Smith seems somewhat relieved by the nurse's diagnosis, her decision to check his ECG and the fact that the doctor is going to look at him immediately. What do you imagine he is thinking?
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