Creative Thinking Situations

OUT-PATIENT DEPARTMENT

1) According to the rules of the Ministry of Public Health in our country every citizen of Russia is served by the local polyclinic of his residential community. A special document with the information about the patient is constantly kept there. A British journalist, Ms. Smith, is interested. Give her a complete description of the medical record explaining when, how, and by whom it is filled in.

2) There are many doctors including local physicians, surgeons, neurologists, otorhinolaryngologists, radiologists, ophthalmologists, gynecologists, and others working at the polyclinic. Discuss with a young American doctor the working conditions of various specialists, advantages and disadvantages of their duties or work schedule.

3) The work schedule of every local physician includes consulting hours and going out to calls to visit those patients who are really seriously ill and that’s why can’t go to the polyclinic themselves. Your British colleague, MD, wants to know: “What about the job of your local physician? How many days and hours a week does he work with his patients at the polyclinic and how much time does he spend on medical documentation?”

4) Patient Anna Belox aged 54 complained of a bad pain in the left side of the chest. She breathed heavily and became pale. The chest pain was associated with physical exertion. General weakness and poor appetite accompanied the condition. You are working with an English resident. Discuss the following issues with him. What specialist should examine her? What should the medical examination start with? What instrumental investigation can the patient be referred to?

5) Radiography is the use of radiation in the diagnosis. It involves exposing a part of the body to a small dose of radiation to produce an image of the internal organs. Organs with high density such as ribs and spine appear white or light grey on the image, but lung tissue appears dark. Before some types of X-rays patients are given a special liquid called a contrast medium. Write a paragraph for a medical textbook in English explaining what instructions should be given the patient to make a chest X-ray correctly.

IN-PATIENT DEPARTMENT

1) “There are a few things about your lifestyle we would address. Perhaps you could think of cutting down on the amount you are drinking. Giving up smoking would help a lot. You should try to avoid tight clothing, sitting in deep armchairs and bending, especially after meals,” – said the ward doctor to the patient at his discharge from the hospital. What department is the patient leaving?

2) Patient Games Watkins was treated at the hospital. His temperature was taken every morning, he was given the prescribed medicines, his blood pressure was measured regularly. He was also given the intramuscular injections of vitamin B6 and some intravenous injections to improve the immune system. What health care worker ordered the above-mentioned procedures? Who of the hospital staff carried out the administrations?

3) Patient Sandra Savage aged 7 was playing in the garden quite actively and fell down. She impaired her right upper extremity. There was a deep bleeding wound on the lateral surface. The ambulance carried the little patient to the hospital. What specialist of which department should examine her?

4) A 53-year old woman with incurable muscular dystrophy flew to Switzerland hospital to end her life as assisted dying is legal in this country. Opponents of euthanasia argue that legalization of this procedure in hospitals would lead to abuse and does not allow such patients to die with dignity. What’s your opinion on the problem?

5) Sam Samur is a hospital physiotherapist. She works mainly with patients who have conditions or injuries affecting the lower extremities such as fractures, torn ligaments, and cartilage tears. Most of her patients are referrals from other departments in her hospital. Will you describe a routine working day of this specialist?

CHEMIST’S SHOP

1) There are different types of medication the usage of which is chosen according to many reasons. So creams are more acceptable cosmetically being less visible. Ointments are greasier than creams and have a thicker texture. Pastes are stiffer preparations which contain more powdered solids. Lotions are liquid and used mostly in hairy areas. Try to give the same comparison chain to the following remedies: tablets – capsules - pills, solution – syrup – spray.

2) Any label of the drug contains a lot of useful information: the name of it, the ingredients, the directions for administration, the dosage to be taken, the possible side-effects, the limitations, and some other necessary points. Do you personally always read everything up to the very end? Why?

3) In our country a chemist’s shop sells a wide range of non-prescription medicines and other products such as cosmetics. Should there be any limitations on what can be bought at the chemist’s?

4) Any label of the drug contains a lot of useful information: the name of it, the ingredients, the directions for administration, the dosage to be taken, the possible side-effects, the limitations, and some other necessary points. Think, reply to the following questions and explain your answer. Which items are more important for doctors and what parts should be studied by consumers mostly?

5) “I am going to be a mother in some months, you know. And I would like to prepare everything beforehand. What kind of remedies can you recommend to buy now in order to have them available at home?” - said a young woman to a pharmacist at the chemist’s. What would you advise her?

[1] Like, e.g. I had my TV fixed – мне починили телевизор

[2] GP – general practitioner –врач общей практики

[3] Profile – совокупность параметров; medication profile – совокупность лекарств для лечения данного больного и данного состояния

[4] EMS – Emergency Medical Service

[5] GP – general practitioner, a physician