OET Rx (Student Pre-Class)

Lesson 8: Reassuring an Anxious Patient

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Course Progress

Overall Progress Lesson 8 of 100

Part 1: Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

Identify verbal and non-verbal cues of patient anxiety.
Use empathetic and validating language to acknowledge a patient's fears.
Provide clear and honest reassurance without giving false hope.
Structure a consultation to effectively manage and reduce patient anxiety.

Lesson Video

Coming Soon

This video will be available for the offline course version.

Part 2: Vocabulary & Examples

Study the words, their pronunciations, Persian translations, and example sentences to understand how they are used in context.

General Vocabulary

depend on /dɪˈpend ɒn/:

بستگی داشتن به

The next steps will depend on the results of the biopsy, but we have a clear plan for either outcome.

depressed /dɪˈprest/:

افسرده

It's understandable to feel depressed following a difficult diagnosis, and I want you to know that support is available.

depth /depθ/:

عمق

Let's explore your concerns in more depth so I can fully understand what is worrying you the most.

describe /dɪˈskraɪb/:

توصیف کردن

Can you describe the feeling you get when you start to feel anxious?

description /dɪˈskrɪpʃn/:

توصیف

Your description of a "pounding heart" during these episodes is very helpful for me to understand what's happening.

desire (n.) /dɪˈzaɪər/:

آرزو، خواسته

I understand your desire for a quick solution, but it's crucial that we first determine the exact cause of your symptoms.

desperate /ˈdespərət/:

ناامید، مستأصل

I know you may feel desperate for answers, and I assure you we are doing everything we can to get them.

despite /dɪˈspaɪt/:

با وجود

Despite your fears, I want to reassure you that this is a very routine and safe procedure for us.

detail /ˈdiːteɪl/:

جزئیات

I will explain every detail of the procedure until you feel completely comfortable with it.

detailed /ˈdiːteɪld/:

مفصل

A detailed explanation can often help reduce anxiety because it removes the fear of the unknown.

determine /dɪˈtɜːrmɪn/:

تعیین کردن

We need to run these tests to determine the cause, which is the first step toward making you feel better.

determined /dɪˈtɜːrmɪnd/:

مصمم

I am determined to help you through this, and we will face it together as a team.

develop /dɪˈveləp/:

توسعه یافتن، ایجاد شدن

It is very unlikely that complications will develop, as we will monitor you closely.

development /dɪˈveləpmənt/:

توسعه، پیشرفت

I will keep you informed about every development in your case.

device /dɪˈvaɪs/:

دستگاه

This small device will monitor your heart rate at home, which might give you peace of mind.

diagram /ˈdaɪəɡræm/:

نمودار، دیاگرام

Sometimes looking at a simple diagram of the procedure can help make it seem less intimidating.

dialogue /ˈdaɪəlɒɡ/:

گفت‌وگو

It is important that we maintain an open dialogue so you can tell me about any fears that arise.

difference /ˈdɪfrəns/:

تفاوت

The main difference with this new approach is that it is much less invasive, which significantly reduces recovery time.

different /ˈdɪfrənt/:

متفاوت

I know you had a bad experience before, but I want to explain how this situation is different.

difficult /ˈdɪfɪkəlt/:

دشوار

I know this is a difficult conversation, so please take your time.

difficulty /ˈdɪfɪkəlti/:

مشکل

Are you having difficulty sleeping because of these worries?

Medical Vocabulary

Active Listening /ˈæktɪv ˈlɪsnɪŋ/:

گوش دادن فعال

Through active listening, the doctor showed he understood not just the patient's words, but the fear behind them.

Anxiety /æŋˈzaɪəti/:

اضطراب

It is completely normal to experience some anxiety before receiving test results.

Coping Mechanism /ˈkoʊpɪŋ ˌmekənɪzəm/:

مکانیسم مقابله

Deep breathing is an effective coping mechanism you can use if you start to feel overwhelmed with anxiety.

Empathy /ˈempəθi/:

همدلی

Showing empathy is not about feeling sorry for the patient, but about showing you understand their perspective.

Mindfulness /ˈmaɪndflnəs/:

ذهن‌آگاهی

Some studies show that practicing mindfulness can help reduce procedure-related anxiety in patients.

Palpitations /ˌpælpɪˈteɪʃnz/:

تپش قلب

Many anxious patients describe symptoms like palpitations, even when their heart is perfectly healthy.

Panic Attack /ˈpænɪk əˌtæk/:

حمله وحشت

The patient was afraid of having a panic attack during the MRI scan.

Patient-centered Care /ˈpeɪʃnt ˈsentərd ker/:

مراقبت بیمارمحور

Patient-centered care means your values and desires are a crucial component of any decision we make.

Reassurance /ˌriːəˈʃʊərəns/:

اطمینان‌بخشی

Clear information is often the most effective form of reassurance for an anxious patient.

Validation /ˌvælɪˈdeɪʃn/:

اعتبارسنجی، تأیید

Validation is a powerful tool; simply saying "I can see why you would feel that way" can greatly reduce a patient's anxiety.

Part 3: Pre-Class Practice Tests

Reading Task (Interdisciplinary Context: Dentistry):

Excerpt from The Journal of Clinical Dentistry

Odontophobia, or the fear of dental procedures, remains a significant barrier to oral health. Despite technological advances that have made procedures less painful, patient anxiety is a complex issue. The source of this anxiety often stems from previous negative experiences or a perceived loss of control. A patient-centered care approach is critical. This involves a detailed dialogue to determine the specific cause of the patient's fear. Simple validation of their feelings, such as "I understand that past experiences can make future visits difficult," can build rapport. Providing clear descriptions and using diagrams to explain procedures can also demystify the process. The goal is to transform the patient's desperate feelings into a sense of partnership and control.

Question: According to the text, what is a key strategy for managing a patient with odontophobia?

Listening Task (Part C Simulation - Monologue):

Scenario: You will hear part of a lecture given by a senior physiotherapist to junior colleagues about managing anxious patients.

0:00

Task: What does the speaker identify as the most important initial step when dealing with an anxious patient?

Part 4: Answer Key for Pre-Class Work

Reading Answer: b) Understanding and acknowledging the patient's specific fears.

Listening Answer: c) Identifying the underlying reason for the anxiety.

Part 5: In-Class Preparation

Be prepared to discuss the vocabulary and practice the following tasks in class.

Speaking Task: OET Role-Play Card (Medicine)

Setting: General Practitioner's Office
Patient: A 42-year-old patient who you have just told needs an urgent endoscopy to investigate persistent stomach pain. The patient becomes visibly anxious, stating their father had a "terrible experience" with the same procedure years ago and they are afraid of the sedation.
Task: Acknowledge the patient's anxiety and validate their concerns based on their family experience. Gently explore the details of their fear. Provide reassurance by explaining how the procedure and sedation methods are different and safer now. Describe the process in detail to demystify it. Reassure them of your support and that you will not proceed without their full comfort and consent.

Writing Task:

You are the GP from the speaking scenario. After the consultation, write a concise note in the patient's medical record. Document their initial anxiety, the specific reasons for it (father's experience, fear of sedation), and the key points of reassurance you provided to them.

Proceed to Lesson 9

OET Rx

In this lesson, you will be able to: