For upper-intermediate learners: healthcare bureaucracy, insurance costs, patient rights, and the professional language used around medical care.
Free Medical English & Doctor Visits vocabulary flashcards at the B2 level — all 35 words with definitions and examples. Study them with spaced repetition and recognize and use these words confidently in real conversations.
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premium
the amount of money you pay regularly to keep an insurance policy active
deductible
the amount of money a patient must pay before their insurance starts covering costs
co-payment
a fixed amount a patient pays for a medical service even with insurance
out-of-pocket
describing money that a patient pays directly, without help from insurance
telemedicine
medical care given remotely through a phone or video call instead of in person
consultation
a meeting with a doctor to discuss a health problem or get advice
second opinion
advice from another doctor to confirm or question an earlier diagnosis
practitioner
a professional who is qualified to give medical care and treatment
physician
a doctor, especially one who treats general medical conditions rather than performing surgery
bedside manner
the way a doctor or nurse behaves and communicates with patients
waiting list
an ordered list of people waiting for treatment, a bed, or an appointment
backlog
a large number of cases that have built up and not yet been dealt with
overbooked
describing a schedule that has more appointments than can actually be seen on time
understaffed
not having enough workers to do the job properly
workload
the amount of work a person is expected to do in a given time
shift
a set period of time during which someone works, especially in a hospital
overtime
extra time worked beyond normal hours, usually for extra pay
staff shortage
a situation in which there are not enough employees to meet demand
burnout
a state of extreme physical and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress at work
advocate
a person who supports and speaks up for a patient's needs and rights
reassure
to say or do something that reduces someone's fear or worry
comfort
to help someone feel less frightened, worried, or upset
accommodate
to make changes so that a person's particular needs can be met
liaise
to work closely with another person or department, sharing information regularly
coordinate
to organise different people or activities so that they work well together
streamline
to make a process simpler and more efficient by removing unnecessary steps
escalate
to pass a problem to someone with more authority when it cannot be solved
complaint
a formal statement that something is unsatisfactory or unacceptable
confidentiality
the practice of keeping a patient's personal and medical information private
informed
having enough knowledge and information to make a sensible decision
voluntary
done or given by choice, without being forced
qualify
to have the right to something because you meet certain conditions
proactive
acting in advance to prevent problems rather than just reacting to them
thorough
done carefully and in great detail, missing nothing important
accessible
easy to reach, use, or obtain, especially for people with additional needs