B2 – Upper Intermediate
Gone are the days when doctors would actually visit the sick and heal them from the comfort of their homes. But what one doctor is bringing that back.
Listen to the audio and read the transcript about what Ernest Brown does and why he is considered unique.
http://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/doctor-healing-patients-in-homes/2829125.html
Discussion Questions:
- Explain Dr. Brown’s background and how he was led to making house calls. What is “concierge services.”?
- Are house doctors a popular idea in your city or region?
- What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of doctors making house calls?
- Talk about the last time you were sick and had to see a doctor.
5 replies on “Doctor Brings Healing to Patients”
Discussion Questions:
1. Explain Dr. Brown’s background and how he was led to making house calls. What is “concierge services.”?
Dr Brown have studied medicine at the Howard University where he graduated. In his third year, he worked with Doctor Teller, whom only worked face to face with his patients, I mean, he visits them in their houses in order to diagnose y try to cure them and he did his job in a very personal and humane way. This is the way Dr. Brown learning medicine and he liked it, so he decided work as a doctor in the same way, visiting their patients in their homes; that is to say: house calls.
2. Are house doctors a popular idea in your city or region?
Well, is not the usual way in big cities, I think it was more popular some years before and, above all, in little villages without Hospital or Clinic. Nowadays the doctor can visit you in your home in only some cases but if you are ill enough, you should go to the Hospital Emergencies. If you have a Private Health Care insurance is more likely a kind of house call attention.
3. What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of doctors making house calls?
Downsides: It is more expensive for the National Health System, the doctors don’t have all the needed tools to diagnose, etc.
Upsides: More humane treatment, you will know better your patients, you can treat them in their environment, you can spot the familiar support, and for me the most important advantages is for people with mobilities problems or maybe too old, and of course to avoid hospital viruses and contagions…
4. Talk about the last time you were sick and had to see a doctor.
Fortunately, I have a strong Health, I practice sport almost every day, try to eat healthy food, etc. I take care of myself. I also follow the vaccination recommendation of the Health Care Authorities, etc… The last time I visited a doctor, was some months ago to review my knees because I usually have some pain and problems (in fact in my right knee I have had 4 surgeries: 2 of meniscus and 2 of because my cruciate ligament was broken). Now my right knee have again the cruciate ligament broken but they can’t operate it because I need and orthopaedic knee.
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Explain Dr. Brown’s background and how he was led to making house calls. What is “concierge services.”? In my opinion, Dr. Brown has a real medicine vocation, as he feels better helping sick people although he is not as well paid as an specialized doctor working for a private insurance. A concierge service is a service asked from the concierge of a luxury hotel, isn´t it?
Are house doctors a popular idea in your city or region? It is not popular in Spain, but it is a service you are able to ask for from your private health insurance for emergency consultations.
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of doctors making house calls? I think it has more advantages than disadvantages, because if the patient is not feeling well, he/she may prefer to stay at home if not necessary to move to a clinic or a hospital to perform tests.
Talk about the last time you were sick and had to see a doctor: It´s long time ago since I had to visit a doctor because I was not feeling healthy! I usually go for recurrent reviews (ophthalmologic, Traumatology…)
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1. In my city it isn´t usual house doctor, but we pay private doctor and sometimes my husband call and ask to the doctor to come in our home and the experience always is good but in Madrid it isn´t usual.
2. For me this has advantages only.
3. I had to go to doctor 1 year ago because my stomach was very bad and 1 year after my stomach is better but always I have problems with that, I have a problem to go to toilet, with different foods and this situation is new for me and the doctor said me is because I am nervous and I have to investment about foods with this new situation and now I am learning a new live healther.