Spoken English · Guides · October 30, 2026 · 5 min read

Conversation between doctor and patient: 5 English dialogues and medical phrases

A conversation between a doctor and a patient follows a clear structure: the doctor asks what the problem is, the patient describes the symptoms, the doctor asks follow-up questions, examines and gives advice. Knowing the phrases for each step helps whether you are visiting a doctor abroad, working in healthcare, or practising for an English class. Below are useful phrases for patients and doctors, five dialogues and common mistakes.

Phrases for the patient

Describing the problem:

• I don’t feel well.
• I have a headache / a sore throat / a stomach ache / a fever / a cough.
• I’ve had a cough for three days.
• My back hurts. / It hurts here.
• I feel dizzy / sick / tired all the time.
• I can’t sleep at night.
• I’m allergic to penicillin.

Asking the doctor:

• Is it serious?
• How often should I take this?
• Should I take it before or after meals?
• Do I need to come back?
• Can I go to work?

Phrases for the doctor

• What seems to be the problem? / What brings you in today?
• How long have you had these symptoms?
• Where does it hurt?
• On a scale of one to ten, how bad is the pain?
• Are you taking any medicine at the moment?
• Let me check your blood pressure.
• Take a deep breath, please.
• I’ll write you a prescription.
• Take this twice a day after meals.
• Come back if it doesn’t get better in a week.

Dialogue 1: fever and cold

Doctor: Good morning. What seems to be the problem?
Patient: Good morning, doctor. I’ve had a fever and a sore throat since Monday.
Doctor: Have you checked your temperature?
Patient: Yes, it was 38.5 last night.
Doctor: Any cough or body ache?
Patient: A little cough, and my whole body aches.
Doctor: Let me look at your throat. Open your mouth, please… It’s quite red. It looks like a viral infection.
Patient: Do I need antibiotics?
Doctor: No, antibiotics don’t work on viruses. Rest, drink plenty of water and take paracetamol for the fever.
Patient: How long will it take?
Doctor: Usually five to seven days. Come back if the fever lasts more than three days.
Patient: OK. Thank you, doctor.

Dialogue 2: stomach ache

Doctor: Hello, please have a seat. What brings you in today?
Patient: I’ve had a stomach ache since yesterday evening.
Doctor: Where exactly does it hurt?
Patient: Here, on the right side.
Doctor: Is the pain sharp or dull?
Patient: Sharp. And it’s getting worse.
Doctor: Have you vomited?
Patient: Yes, twice this morning.
Doctor: Please lie down. I’m going to press gently… Does this hurt?
Patient: Ow, yes, a lot.
Doctor: I’d like you to have a blood test and an ultrasound right away. It may be your appendix.
Patient: Is it serious?
Doctor: It can be, so we need to check quickly. The nurse will take you now.

Dialogue 3: a general check-up

Doctor: So, this is your yearly check-up. How have you been feeling?
Patient: Mostly fine. I’m a bit tired in the afternoons.
Doctor: How many hours do you sleep?
Patient: About five or six.
Doctor: That’s not enough. Adults need seven to eight. Do you exercise?
Patient: Not really. I sit at a desk all day.
Doctor: Your blood pressure is a little high. I’d recommend a 30-minute walk every day and less salt.
Patient: OK, I’ll try. Should I do any tests?
Doctor: Yes, a blood test for sugar and cholesterol. Here’s the form.

Dialogue 4: a follow-up visit

Doctor: Hello again. How’s your back?
Patient: Much better, thanks. The exercises really helped.
Doctor: Great. Any pain at night?
Patient: Only when I sleep on my left side.
Doctor: Keep doing the exercises for another month. You can stop the painkillers.
Patient: Can I start going to the gym again?
Doctor: Yes, but avoid heavy weights for now.

Dialogue 5: booking an appointment by phone

Receptionist: Good afternoon, Green Valley Clinic.
Patient: Hello, I’d like to make an appointment with a doctor, please.
Receptionist: Is it urgent?
Patient: Not really. I’ve had an earache for a few days.
Receptionist: We have tomorrow at 10:30 with Dr Ibrahim.
Patient: That’s fine.
Receptionist: Can I have your name and date of birth?
Patient: Daniel Okoro, the 4th of March, 1992.
Receptionist: Thank you, Mr Okoro. See you tomorrow at 10:30.

More phrases for calls: phone conversation in English.

Body and symptom words

Common mistakes

• “My head is paining.” Say I have a headache or My head hurts.
• “I am having fever.” Say I have a fever (or a temperature in British English).
• “I have cold.” Add the article: I have a cold.
• “Doctor, give me medicine.” Softer: Could you prescribe something for it?
• “Since three days.” Use for with a period: for three days; since with a starting point: since Monday.
• “Loose motions” is understood in India; elsewhere doctors say diarrhoea (UK) or diarrhea (US).

Practise a visit to the doctor

A visit to the doctor is stressful in a foreign language, so practising first really helps. The conversation linked below this article opens the Doctor room on Nomto: Nomi plays the doctor and asks about your symptoms, and after each reply you see a clearer, more natural version. See also conversation between shopkeeper and customer for the pharmacy.

FAQ

How do you start a conversation with a doctor in English?

Say what the problem is and how long you have had it: Hello, doctor. I’ve had a bad cough for a week.

What questions does a doctor ask a patient?

What seems to be the problem? How long have you had it? Where does it hurt? Are you taking any medicine? Do you have any allergies?

How do you describe pain in English?

Say where, how strong and what kind: I have a sharp pain in my lower back. It’s about seven out of ten. Other words: dull, burning, throbbing, constant.

Is it “I have fever” or “I have a fever”?

I have a fever (American and international) or I have a temperature (British). Without a it is not correct.

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