Understanding Spanish Appointment Details and Simple Health Questions

In this lesson, you will understand a simple clinic appointment and common health questions. Your goal is to identify the patient, date, time, place, symptom, duration, allergy information, and medication information without guessing.

Essential appointment words

— appointment
— patient
— patient
— clinic
— consultation / appointment
— date
— time

Appointment notice

Read:

Meaning

— Patient: Ana Ruiz.

— Appointment: May 12 at ten.

— Central Clinic, consultation room 3.

Confirm the patient's name

If the name is unclear, ask rather than infer it.

— Can you repeat the name, please?
— How is the last name spelled?

For this lesson, — last name is useful service vocabulary.

Confirm date and time

— Is the appointment on May 12?
— Is the appointment at ten?

Question about the main symptom

— What problem do you have?

Possible answer:

— My throat hurts.

Question about duration

— Since when?

Possible answer:

— Since yesterday.

Question about intensity

— Is it mild or severe?

Possible answer:

— It is severe.

Question about allergies

— Do you have any allergies?

Possible answers:

— Yes, I have an allergy.
— No, I do not have allergies.

This question asks for allergy information. It does not ask you to diagnose the symptom.

Question about medication

— Do you take any medication?

Possible answers:

— Yes, I take this medication.
— No, I do not take medication.

For this lesson, — take a medication is a practical health-service phrase.

Do not confuse the question categories

Question	What information is requested?
— What problem do you have?	symptom or problem
— Since when?	duration / starting point
— Do you have any allergies?	allergy information
— Do you take any medication?	medication information

Listening-style appointment task

Listen first:

Before checking, identify the patient, date, time, clinic, and consultation room.

Check

— Carlos Martín's appointment is June 18 at nine thirty, at North Clinic, consultation room 5.

Health-question task

Listen first:

The speaker asks about four separate pieces of information. Do not merge them into one answer.

Possible response

— I have had a fever since last night. I do not have allergies. I do not take medication.

Repeat sensitive details rather than guessing

If you are — fifteen or — fifty, ask for repetition. The same principle applies to a patient's name, date, time, medication name, or amount.

A practical comprehension method

Identify the patient's name first.
Extract the appointment date, time, and place separately.
Classify each health question by the information it requests.
Keep symptom, duration, allergy, and medication information separate.
Repeat or confirm a sensitive detail rather than guessing.
Do not infer a diagnosis from the questions or symptoms.

From Understanding Appointments to Managing Them

You can now understand a simple appointment notice and common health questions. The next lesson teaches you how to make, change, or cancel an appointment and confirm the final result.