OET Doctor-Patient Mrs. Ainsworth EXTENDED

Front

Doctor: Good morning, Mrs. Ainsworth. My name is Dr. Sharma, and I'll be your doctor today. Please, have a seat. How are you feeling today, and what brings you in to see me?

Back

Patient: Good morning, Doctor. Thank you. Well, to be honest, I've been feeling quite run down for the past few weeks. I'm just so tired all the time, and my muscles ache. It's really starting to affect my daily life.

Front

Doctor: I understand. Fatigue and muscle aches can be quite debilitating. Can you tell me a bit more about when these symptoms started and if anything specific seems to trigger them or make them worse?

Back

Patient: It started gradually, maybe about a month ago. At first, I thought it was just stress from work, but it hasn't gone away. I've noticed it's worse in the afternoons and evenings, and after I've done any kind of physical activity, even just walking.

Front

Doctor: Okay. And where exactly are you experiencing the muscle aches? Is it in specific areas, or is it more generalized?

Back

Patient: It's pretty much everywhere, but especially in my legs and back. Sometimes my arms feel heavy too. It's not a sharp pain, more of a dull ache, like I've been working out really hard, even when I haven't.

Front

Doctor: I see. Have you noticed any other symptoms accompanying the fatigue and muscle aches, such as fever, chills, weight loss, or any changes in your bowel habits?

Back

Patient: No fever or chills, and my weight hasn't changed. But I have been having some trouble sleeping. I wake up several times during the night, and I don't feel rested in the morning. And, now that you mention it, I have been a bit constipated lately.

Front

Doctor: Alright. And what is your typical diet like? Are you taking any medications, vitamins, or supplements?

Back

Patient: I try to eat healthily, lots of fruits and vegetables, but I admit I've been reaching for more comfort food lately because I've been so tired. I take a multivitamin every day, and occasionally ibuprofen for the muscle aches, but nothing else regularly.

Front

Patient: I'm worried it might be something serious, like some kind of autoimmune disease. My aunt has lupus, and I know fatigue can be a symptom.

Back

Doctor: I understand your concern, Mrs. Ainsworth. It's good to be proactive about your health. Lupus is certainly a possibility we need to consider, but there are many other potential causes for your symptoms, such as thyroid issues, vitamin deficiencies, or even just prolonged stress.

Front

Doctor: To get a clearer picture, I'd like to perform a physical examination and order some blood tests. How does that sound?

Back

Patient: That sounds good, Doctor. I'm happy to do whatever tests you think are necessary. I just want to figure out what's going on and start feeling better.

Front

Doctor: Excellent. First, I'll check your vital signs – blood pressure, pulse, and temperature. Then, I'll do a general physical examination, including listening to your heart and lungs, checking your reflexes, and palpating your abdomen. After that, we'll proceed with the blood tests.

Back

Patient: Okay, that sounds thorough. How long will it take to get the results back?

Front

Doctor: The blood test results usually take a few days, typically 3-5 business days. Once they're available, we'll schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss the results and determine the next steps in your care.

Back

Patient: Alright, I will. Thank you, Doctor. I appreciate you taking the time to listen and investigate.

Front

Doctor: You're very welcome, Mrs. Ainsworth. We'll get to the bottom of this. Let's start with the physical examination now. Please lie down on the examination table.

Back

Patient: Okay.