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79
Lesson 7
Topic: TAKING HISTORY
Grammar: Modal Verbs
Vocabulary:
agenda
– set of operations which form a procedure for solv-
ing a problem; (list of) things to be done be done
assumption
– sth supposed but not proved; ~
of
, the adopting of a
manner, etc which is not genuine; sth taken for
granted
crux
– part (of a problem) that is the most difficult to solve
to encourage – give hope, courage or confidence to; support
to elicit
– draw out; cause to come out
to exempt
– free (from obligation)
encounter
– sudden, unexpected, or first meeting
layout
– arrangement, design, plan
quotation
– repeating, writing (from a book, an author, etc)
rapport
– sympathetic relationship
1. Read and translate the text
The kindly word, the cheerful greeting, the sympathetic look –
these the patient understands.
This quotation belongs to one of the
most influential physician William Osler (1849–1919). Osler’s words
are highly relevant, even today, because doctors must be engaging in
the most basic of relationship-building skills with their patients. The
initial contact is vital. Being able to establish rapport with the patient
is the crux of the whole interview; indeed, the way in which a doctor
receives a patient can make or break the consultation that follows. A
doctor needs to treat a patient with respect, of course, but establishing
rapport within the first few minutes is also about how doctors greet the
patients and introduce themselves, ensuring that they have clarified
their role, making sure patients are comfortable and even that the seat-
ing arrangement is appropriate.
The next step is to understand the issues the patient wishes to ad-
dress or the reason for his/her visit. The doctor’s
opening question
(what, why, where type questions) needs to require more than simply
a
Yes
or
No
answer so that the patient will express his/her story. It
should be a question that opens up the discussion and encourages the