2165_FM_i-xxiv.qxd 12/2/09 10:52 AM Page ii 2165_FM_i-xxiv.qxd 12/2/09 10:52 AM Page i Medical English Clear and Simple A Practice-Based Approach to English for ESL Healthcare Professionals 2165_FM_i-xxiv.qxd 12/2/09 10:52 AM Page ii 2165_FM_i-xxiv.qxd 12/2/09 10:52 AM Page iii Medical English Clear and Simple A Practice-Based Approach to English for ESL Healthcare Professionals Melodie Hull, RPN, MSc, MEd (TESOL), BA, PID Nursing Faculty College of the Rockies Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada Nursing Tutor, Distance Education, Transitions to Nursing and Health Program Thompson Rivers University Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada International Adviser to the Department of Languages International University of Business, Agriculture, and Technology Dhaka, Bangladesh Nurse-Educator and Consultant Clayton International Consulting Cranbrook, BC, Canada 2165_FM_i-xxiv.qxd 12/2/09 10:52 AM Page iv F.A. Davis Company 1915 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19103 http://www.fadavis.com Copyright © 2010 by F.A. Davis Company Copyright © 2010 by F.A. Davis Company. All rights reserved. This book is protected by copyright. No part of it may be repro- duced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, record- ing, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher. Printed in the United States of America Last digit indicates print number: 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Acquisitions Editor: Jonathan Joyce Director of Content Development: Darlene D. Pedersen Senior Project Editor: Padraic J. Maroney Design and Illustrations Manager: Carolyn O’Brien As new scientific information becomes available through basic and clinical research, recommended treatments and drug therapies undergo changes. The author(s) and publisher have done everything possible to make this book accurate, up to date, and in accord with accepted standards at the time of publication. The author(s), editors, and publisher are not responsible for errors or omissions or for consequences from application of the book, and make no warranty, expressed or implied, in regard to the con- tents of the book. Any practice described in this book should be applied by the reader in accordance with professional standards of care used in regard to the unique circumstances that may apply in each situation. The reader is advised always to check prod- uct information (package inserts) for changes and new information regarding dose and contraindications before administering any drug. Caution is especially urged when using new or infrequently ordered drugs. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Hull, Melodie. Medical English clear and simple: a practice based approach to English for ESL healthcare professionals/Melodie Hull. p.; cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8036-2165-7 (alk. paper) 1. Readers—Medicine. 2. English language—Conversation and phrase books (for medical personnel) 3. English language—Textbooks for foreign speakers. 4. Medical personnel, Foreign—United States. I. Title. [DNLM: 1. Terminology as Topic—Problems and Exercises. 2. Communication—Problems and Exercises. 3. Language—Problems and Exercises. W 18.2 H913m 2010] PE1127. M4H85 2010 428.6'402461—dc22 2009042818 Authorization to photocopy items for internal or personal use, or the internal or personal use of specific clients, is granted by F.A. Davis Company for users registered with the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) Transactional Reporting Service, pro- vided that the fee of $.25 per copy is paid directly to CCC, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923. For those organizations that have been granted a photocopy license by CCC, a separate system of payment has been arranged. The fee code for users of the Transactional Reporting Service is: 8036-2165-7/10 0 +$.25. 2165_FM_i-xxiv.qxd 12/2/09 10:52 AM Page v This book is dedicated to two very important and influential people in my life: My very good friend, Patty Sangri, of the Universidad Tecnologica de Cancun, who gave me my first job in English for Specific Purposes and who opened this whole new world to me. My wonderful husband, Steven, whose unwavering love and faith in me, as well as his incredible patience and support, has made this book possible. THANK YOU 2165_FM_i-xxiv.qxd 12/2/09 10:52 AM Page vi 2165_FM_i-xxiv.qxd 12/2/09 10:52 AM Page vii F O R E W O R D I met Melodie Hull, the author of this book, in 2006 when we all attended the International Sym- posium on English for Medical Purposes in Beijing, China. As one of the keynote speakers, she roused my attention when I read her research abstract. It offered a brief overview of literature on how the actual goals of the curriculum of English for Medical Purposes are defined. In the sym- posium, her speech was a great success and provided all the researchers, especially Chinese re- searchers, in the medical English field opportunity for critical thought regarding current curricu- lum design. In addition, her wit, her wealth of knowledge and experience, and her enthusiasm for the medical English field impressed all the attendees. In the following years, we have kept in touch with each other. I have gradually come to know many of her works, all of which are greatly applicable and in great demand. On behalf of all Chinese medical English researchers, I genuinely appreciate what Melodie has done and will do in this field. Medical English Clear and Simpleis designed to help learners of medical English at an advanced level. The intended readers are medical and medical English students, medical professionals, and those involved in the medical field who have a strong desire to improve their medical English. This book guides readers through eight main sections, enabling them to explore and develop skills within certain systems or medical fields. Each unit enables readers to engage more actively with medical matter or content and encourages them to develop their own skills in medical English reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Throughout the book, topics are extended, interwoven, and deconstructed, with the readers’ understanding strengthened by tasks and follow-up questions. For the learners to take full advantage of the material, the book has included what the author be- lieves is most needed by them. Exercises and learning activities offer language-learning conditions that enrich their communicative competence and skills within the context of their careers. Written by an experienced researcher in the field, Medical English Clear and Simpleis an essential resource for students and researchers of medical English. I, Xie Yu, sincerely wish that by reading and using this book, you will have a pleasant and instructive experience in improving your medical English. Xie Yu, MA English for Medical Purposes Lecture Capital Medical University Beijing, PRC Congratulations on the publication of this important book. Melodie Hull is a friend, colleague, and previous employee. While teaching nursing full time at a local university college, she worked as a staff nurse part time in one of my mental health care facilities. As I got to know her, I discovered her interest in teaching English for nursing and med- ical purposes. Her approach to the subject was (and is) quite unique. Her vision of the need for functional, career-specific English for health professionals is commendable and one which I share. This book does just that! I, like Melodie, appreciate the need for nurses or doctors to be in- volved in the creation and design of this type of material and coursework and have always sup- ported her in her endeavors to fill this need. We agree that English for Medical Purposes materi- als should be based in the context of the health professions at all times. Melodie is committed to best practices in health care and realizes that language skills and competencies play an enormous role in the delivery of safe, ethical, and professional care. Indeed, she believes this so strongly that beyond nursing, she has added a graduate degree in TESOL to her credentials to ensure her ma- terial is well-grounded in theory and practice. Medical English Clear and Simple is a comprehensive introduction to the language of the health professions. In my opinion, it is well suited to the needs of international medical graduates who wish to complete a residency in Canada, the USA, or to work in an English-speaking milieu eventually. It is also well suited for internationally educated nurses and nursing students whose vii 2165_FM_i-xxiv.qxd 12/2/09 10:52 AM Page viii first language is not English. The text offers essential terminology for working with colleagues and patients, but it does more than that: the communication focus is paramount for career suc- cess in an English-speaking country. This book accomplishes that. Ronald I. Wong BS, MD Family Physician, registered in Vancouver BC, Canada, and Kingston, Jamaica Graduate University of British Columbia Medical School Internship at King’s County Hospital, Brooklyn, New York Family Practice Residency, Good Samaritan Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Ravenna General Hospital, Ravenna, Ohio, USA This is no ordinary text. Melodie Hull’s years of experience in international nursing, education, and theater arts provide an innovative approach to English-based medical terminology. The au- thor’s expertise in this area is evident in the selection of content and sequencing of tasks, but it is the love of learners and the desire to see them succeed that shines in the gentle, down-to-earth guidance included in the learning activities. By incorporating activities that address the various senses, the author taps into different learning styles and preferences, rather than relying solely on pronunciation and memorization. Her appreciation for the learner’s need to feel confident comes through in the design of activities that engage the adult in using new terms in a variety of contexts. Upon completion of this text, a learner can go to the workplace knowing he or she will effectively use medical terminology in verbal and nonverbal communications. This is the text that I wish I had written myself. Sharon L. Andersen, RN, BSN, MSN, MEd, EdD Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Mental Health Proprietor, Crone’s Nest Educational Consultants Retired Nursing Instructor, Kwantlen Polytechnic University and University of British Columbia, Canada Having used a previous book by Melodie Hull, I was honored to have been asked to write this foreword for the new textbook that she has written. This new work is a comprehensive book de- signed for non-native English-speaking students in health-care programs. Medical English Clear and Simplefulfills a need since it is health care oriented, but ESL/EFL accessible. As there are more and more non-native speakers of English medical professionals in the USA, the need for such a book has become critical. Medical English Clear and Simple assists students toward success in health- care programs by providing opportunities for reading, writing, speaking, and listening within their health-care career. It provides ample opportunities to apply what has been learned and helps students build their health-care related vocabulary. Medical English Clear and Simple is a useful resource as a communication teaching tool for in- structors in the health-care field and as a refresher or a professional development course for international health-care professionals. Melodie Hull has achieved her purpose of providing a valuable resource for health-care stu- dents or professionals who are of non-English speaking backgrounds. Medical English Clear and Simple is the answer to the needs of health-care or ESL/EFL instructors who are looking for a comprehensive book that will help their students improve their health-related language skills. Barbara Jonckheere Lecturer/Academic Senate Representative American Language Institute University College and Extension Services California State University, Long Beach In Medical English Clear and Simple, Melodie Hull has presented a practical step-by-step guide for learning career-specific English with a communication focus. The guide is a valuable resource, especially for students in health studies programs and health professionals who are of non-English speaking backgrounds. viii Foreword