Becoming a Doctor

Rahul's cousin Meera studies medicine and begins her hands-on hospital training to become a doctor.

Meanings in Meera, Senior doctor, Patients

Key words and phrases

medical collegea college where students study to become doctorsShe got admission into a good medical college.

internshipa period of supervised practical trainingShe is doing her internship at a government hospital.

diagnoseto identify what illness a patient hasThe doctor diagnosed the patient with a fever.

patienta person receiving medical treatmentShe checked on her patient every morning.

warda section of a hospital with beds for patientsShe was assigned to the children's ward.

specializeto focus your studies or work on one particular areaShe wants to specialize in pediatrics.

night shifta period of work carried out during the nightShe often works the night shift at the hospital.

empathythe ability to understand and share another's feelingsDoctors need empathy to care for their patients well.

prescribeto recommend medicine for a patientShe prescribed some antibiotics for the infection.

dedicationstrong commitment to a task or purposeBecoming a doctor requires years of dedication.

stethoscopean instrument used to listen to a patient's heart and lungsShe kept her stethoscope around her neck all day.

surgerya medical operation to treat a disease or injuryThe patient needed emergency surgery.

symptomssigns that indicate a person has an illnessThe patient described his symptoms in detail.

roundsa doctor's regular visits to check on hospital patientsShe does her rounds early every morning.

consultationa meeting with a doctor to discuss a health issueThe consultation lasted about fifteen minutes.

emergency rooma hospital section for treating urgent medical casesThe patient was rushed to the emergency room.

medical exama test taken to qualify as a doctor or for a courseShe passed her final medical exam with top marks.

checkupa routine examination to check a person's healthHe came in for a regular checkup.

recoverythe process of getting better after an illness or injuryHis recovery from surgery was quick.

on-callavailable to work if needed, even outside normal hoursShe was on-call for the entire weekend.

Useful sentences

Ask How is your internship going at the hospital?
Answer It's exhausting, but I'm learning so much.
Ask Which area of medicine do you want to specialize in?
Answer I'm hoping to specialize in pediatrics.
Ask How was your night shift yesterday?
Answer Busy, we had several emergency cases.
Ask What did you diagnose in that patient?
Answer A mild viral infection, nothing serious.
Ask Which ward are you working in this month?
Answer I've been assigned to the general ward.
Ask Did you assist in any surgery this week?
Answer Yes, I observed a minor surgery yesterday.
Ask What symptoms did the patient in the ER have?
Answer High fever and severe body pain.
Ask How many patients did you see during your rounds today?
Answer I checked on twelve patients this morning.
Ask Are you on-call this weekend?
Answer Yes, I have to stay reachable for emergencies.
Ask How is the patient's recovery progressing?
Answer Very well, she should be discharged by Friday.

Dialogue

Senior doctorMeera, how are you finding your internship so far?

MeeraIt's challenging, but I'm learning a great deal every day.

Senior doctorThat's the spirit. Have you decided on a specialization yet?

MeeraI'm leaning towards pediatrics. I love working with children.

Senior doctorA wonderful choice. It takes real empathy and dedication.

MeeraThank you, doctor. I'm committed to giving my best.

Senior doctorGood. Tomorrow you'll observe your first surgery in the operation theatre.

MeeraI'm both nervous and excited about that.

Senior doctorThat's normal. Also, be ready for your rounds early tomorrow morning.

MeeraI will. I'll also review the symptoms of my patients tonight.

Common mistakes

Saying "I am doing MBBS" without context instead of "I am studying medicine" or "I am pursuing my MBBS degree."
Saying "Doctor gave medicine" instead of "The doctor prescribed medicine" (use the specific verb "prescribe").
Saying "I am specialist in pediatrics" instead of "I specialize in pediatrics" or "I am a specialist in pediatrics" (don't drop the article "a").
Saying "I am on duty since morning" instead of "I have been on duty since morning."
Saying "patient is having fever" instead of "the patient has a fever" (avoid continuous tense with "have" for symptoms).
Saying "discuss about the symptoms" instead of "discuss the symptoms."

Quick quiz

1. What word means to identify what illness a patient has?

2. Complete: "She is doing her ___ at a government hospital."

3. What word means the ability to understand and share another's feelings?

4. What word means signs that indicate a person has an illness?

5. Complete: "She was ___ for the entire weekend."

6. A hospital section for treating urgent medical cases is called the ___.

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