BEING POLITE IN THE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION

After taking a history comes the physical examination.

Before you examine a patient, you should

• explain what body part you wish to examine
• mention why (if needed)
• ask them to remove only the necessary clothes

During the examination you should

• give instructions and
• confirm they are as comfortable as is possible

There are different ways to do these things politely:

a) Please

• “Remove your shirt and sit on the bed, please.”
• “Please remove your shirt and sit on the bed.”

b) would, could, may

• “Could you turn your head and cough?
• “Would you take a big breath in then blow out as hard as you can?”
• “May I ask you to push hard on my hand?
• How may I address you? OR What name may I call you?

Sometimes, we combine:

• Could you please lift your leg straight up?
• Would you lower it again, please?

c) Statements that are actually requests. Sometimes we use the word ‘just’, or add the tag “okay” at the end … but we don’t expect the patient to say no!

• I just need to take a look at your abdomen.
• I’ll now press a little harder. Okay?
• Is it okay if I push down your underwear and examine your lower tummy?

SPEAKING EXERCISE H

Practice repeating ALOUD each example sentence in the lesson above. Focus on the common collocations, RUNNING THEM TOGETHER until they flow as ONE EXPRESSION.  The collocations are underlined.