Why This Lesson?
In our lesson Talking About Health and the Body, you learned how to describe symptoms. This lesson is about the system: how to get an appointment, where to go, what the receptionist and pharmacist will ask, and what the words on your forms mean. Examples are based on Canada, but most of the words are the same in other English-speaking countries.
Where to Go
| Place | When to go |
|---|---|
| family doctor (Canada/US) / GP (UK, Australia) | for regular check-ups and ongoing problems; you usually need an appointment |
| walk-in clinic | when you don't have a family doctor or can't get an appointment soon; no appointment needed, but you may wait |
| urgent care (centre) | for problems that need help today but are not life-threatening (a deep cut, a possible broken finger) |
| emergency (room) / ER (US/Canada) / A&E (UK) | for serious, life-threatening problems (chest pain, difficulty breathing, a serious accident) |
| pharmacy / drugstore (US/Canada) / chemist (UK) | for medicine and simple health advice |
| specialist | a doctor for one area (a dermatologist for skin, a cardiologist for the heart) |
In an emergency in Canada and the US, call 911. In the UK, call 999. In many Canadian provinces, you can also call a free health information line (for example, 811) to talk to a nurse.
Booking an Appointment
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| I'd like to book / make an appointment with Dr. Singh. | ask for an appointment |
| Do you have anything available this week? | ask for free times |
| Is it urgent? | the receptionist asks if it's serious |
| The earliest I have is Thursday at 2:30. | the first free time |
| I need to reschedule my appointment. | change the time |
| I'd like to cancel my appointment. | not go |
| Please arrive 10 minutes early. | come before the time |
| Is it an in-person or a phone / video appointment? | how you meet the doctor |
Tip: many clinics ask you to give 24 hours' notice if you cancel. Some charge a no-show fee if you don't come.
At the Reception Desk
- Can I see your health card, please? (Canada — your government health insurance card)
- What's your date of birth?
- Has your address or phone number changed?
- What's the reason for your visit today?
- Please fill out this form and have a seat.
- The doctor is running late — about 20 minutes.
After Seeing the Doctor
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| prescription | a doctor's written permission for medicine | The doctor gave me a prescription for antibiotics. |
| to fill a prescription | to get the medicine at the pharmacy | I filled my prescription at the drugstore. |
| refill | more of the same medicine | Can I get a refill on this? |
| dosage / dose | how much medicine to take | The dose is one tablet twice a day. |
| side effects | unwanted effects of medicine | Are there any side effects? |
| referral | a letter sending you to a specialist | I need a referral to see a dermatologist. |
| blood test / lab work | tests on your blood or urine | You'll need some blood work. |
| results | what the tests show | We'll call you when the results are in. |
| follow-up (appointment) | another visit to check progress | Book a follow-up in two weeks. |
| sick note / doctor's note | a letter for your employer or school | Can I get a sick note for work? |
At the Pharmacy
- I'm here to pick up a prescription for Anna Kovalenko.
- Is there a generic version? It's cheaper. (same medicine, no brand name)
- Should I take this with food?
- Can I take this with my other medication?
- Is this available over the counter? (without a prescription)
Insurance and Costs
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| health insurance | a plan that pays for medical costs |
| public / provincial health plan (Canada) | government insurance for basic care |
| coverage / to be covered | what the insurance pays for |
| extended health benefits | extra insurance, often from your job (dental, glasses, prescriptions) |
| out of pocket | paid by you, not by insurance |
| claim / to submit a claim | to ask the insurance company to pay you back |
| receipt | proof that you paid |
In Canada, visits to a doctor are usually covered by the provincial plan, but prescriptions, dental care and glasses often are not. Many people have extended benefits through work.
Example Dialogue: Booking by Phone
Receptionist: Good morning, Maple Family Clinic. Pavel: Hi, I'd like to book an appointment with Dr. Singh, please. Receptionist: Are you a patient of Dr. Singh? Pavel: Yes, my name is Pavel Novak. Receptionist: And your date of birth? Pavel: March 14th, 1988. Receptionist: Thank you. What's the reason for your visit? Pavel: I've had a bad cough for three weeks, and I also need a refill for my allergy medication. Receptionist: OK. The earliest I have is Thursday at 2:30. Is that OK? Pavel: Yes, that works. Receptionist: Great. Please bring your health card, and arrive ten minutes early.
Common Mistakes
- "I want to take an appointment." → I'd like to book / make an appointment.
- "The doctor wrote me a recipe." → a prescription (a recipe is for cooking!)
- "I go to the emergency because I have a cold." → a cold is for a pharmacy or walk-in clinic, not emergency.
- "My insurance covers it?" → Does my insurance cover it? / Is it covered?
Practice Tips
- Find out where your nearest walk-in clinic and pharmacy are, and check their hours.
- Practise the booking dialogue out loud with your own name, date of birth and reason.
- Look at your insurance card or benefits booklet and find the words from this lesson.