Hi, my name is Terri Massin and I'm the instructor of City College's ESL 20, 23 and 26 courses which are also taught as noncredit ESLV 3842, 3843 and 3844. These classes are also called English for Health Communication and Careers. They are taught at the Downtown Campus on Tuesdays and Thursdays 12:00-2:30.

Please enjoy this blog. It's a place where I post articles, videos, websites for assignments, information about volunteering, help with pronunciation and vocabulary. Most of the information is for people who want to work in the health care field, but some of it is just helpful for anyone interested in health.

It would be FABULOUS if you wrote comments when you look at the blog. Then I know that people are reading and using the blog. You can sign in as Anonymous, but then at the end of your comment, please write your name (the one I call you in class) and which class (if any) you're in. THANKS A LOT!
Terri

Monday, November 4, 2013

Here are those rewrites for 3.3 on turning passive and aggressive requests into assertive ones.


A.  Excuse me. I see we're all in a big rush and the line is very long. I'm also in a big rush. Would you mind not cutting in line? That would be the fairest way to handle this situation.

B.  We’ve been getting more calls than usual recently, and I feel like I’ve been answering most of them. I’d appreciate it if you could take your share of the calls. That way we can both get our other work done.

C. I understand that the bedpans need to be cleaned, but I’ve been the only one doing this. Could you possibly ask someone else to do it this time? I won’t mind doing it so much if I’m not the only one doing it.

D. It’s my son’s birthday next Saturday, and my family would like to have a party for him. Is there any chance you could switch shifts with me ?I’d really appreciate it. When you have a special occasion in the future, I’d be happy to switch with you.

E. I have a lot of other tests to run this morning, too, so I’m not sure I’ll be able to finish everything by noon. Do you think it would be possible to get some extra help here this morning so we can finish all of the tests?

F.  Sonia. I was hoping to go to Vegas with my friends on November 12 and 13. Could you possibly not schedule me for that day? I can work some of the other less popular shifts before or after those dates.

Copy of the "cards" you discussed in class




Elderly people are treated with respect in the U.S.


If you eat healthy food and exercise regularly, you will live longer.


Working the night shift is for the birds.

Everyone has equal access to health care in the U.S.

Most Americans don’t take care of their health.


It’s easy to find a good job with benefits in the U.S.

It’s easy to work with people from different cultures.

People who abuse drugs don’t deserve good medical treatment.


Medical insurance is very reasonable in the U.S.

Meetings are always such a waste of time.

Smoking should be banned in all public places—inside and outside.


Homeopathic medicine is based on myths and has no effect on health.

Acupuncture is the best way to treat many illnesses.


North Americans are loud and aggressive.

Most supervisors are difficult to get along with.

Most health professionals are overworked and underpaid.


Doctors think they are always right.


It is dangerous to take care of patients who are HIV+.

People who are overweight should pay more for health insurance just as smokers do.


It’s best to have the same job for your whole life.



Drinking coffee won’t have any effect on your health.


Providing birth control to minors should be illegal.

North Americans spend too much money on cosmetic surgery.

Stem cell research should be continued to find cures for diseases.

Dieting can lead to more problems than it solves.


Patients should be required to speak and read English when they go to the doctor.


Non-emergency patients should be turned away from emergency rooms.


Patients’ religious concerns should not be discussed in any health care situation.

Fertility treatments should be stopped because they often result in multiple births.


North American parents push their children too hard in sports, resulting in unnecessary injuries.


Gay couples should not be allowed to have children.

Assisted suicide should be legalized across the country.

The government should have more control over pharmaceutical companies and limit the cost of drugs.


People who are terminally ill should be allowed to die if they choose to do so.

Sometimes it’s better to lie than to tell the truth when discussing a diagnosis with a patient.

Many people in the U.S. are racist.

All doctors should be required to know about alternative medicine – such as acupuncture and homeopathy.


It’s really difficult to make friends in the United States.

Junk food like candy and Coke should never be sold at schools.

Women are better drivers than men.

Here's the answer to 3.1 IC


The patient is a 33-year-old Asian female whose chief complaint is recurrent frontal and bilateral temporal headaches for the past two months. Occasionally, her headaches are accompanied by near syncope when she feels like she is “going to pass out.” She describes her headaches as a  #6 on a 0-10 pain scale and states that they are relieved by Tylenol. Pt. also c/o insomnia and dyspepsia for the past two months. Pt. manages a boutique and states that she has been “under a lot of stress” for the past two months. Since her physical examination was normal, it is most likely that her symptoms are stress-related.