Session 6 – Pre-Procedure Instructions & Consent

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Level: B1 (OET Medicine)
Duration: 50 minutes
Skills: Listening + Speaking
Theme: Pre-procedure instructions & informed consent
Real-life Scenario: Doctor/nurse preparing a patient before a procedure


New Objectives

By the end of this session, you will be able to:

✅ Listen for key points in consent/pre-procedure instructions (OET Listening A/B style).

✅ Recognise and use modals of necessity (must, should, need to) in spoken communication.

✅ Paraphrase medical terms into layman’s language while speaking to patients.

✅ Practise role-play of giving instructions, checking understanding, and explaining risks.

Reviewed Objectives

✅ Symptom description (S1).

✅ Giving advice with modals/imperatives (S2).

✅ Explaining medical terms in simple English (S3).

✅ Note-taking and clarity (S4).

✅ Empathetic communication & signposting (S5).

WordSimple definitionExample (doctor → patient)
consentagreement before a procedure“I need your consent before we start.”
sedationmedicine to help relax/sleep during a procedure“You will get light sedation so you feel calm.”
fastingnot eating or drinking for some time“You must fast for 6 hours before the test.”
anaesthesiamedicine to block pain or make you sleep“The anaesthesia will stop you from feeling pain.”
complicationunexpected medical problem“Bleeding is a possible complication, but it’s rare.”
riskchance of harm“There is a small risk of infection.”
recoverytime to heal after treatment“Recovery usually takes a few days.”
preparationsteps to get ready“Preparation includes not eating after midnight.”
restrictiona limit on activity“There will be movement restrictions after surgery.”
sterilecompletely clean and germ-free“We use sterile equipment to avoid infection.”

Recap:

Before surgery, what instructions do patients usually get?

Read this consent form. What happens if a patient doesn’t follow instructions?

Listening Model (from OET Part A sample – post-op consultation).

Enhanced Audio Player
“Good morning, Mrs. Ahmed.
First, let me explain what will happen before your procedure.
One important point is fasting.
This means you must not eat or drink anything for at least six hours before the test.
In other words, please stop food and drinks after midnight if your appointment is in the morning.
This fasting is necessary because having food in your stomach could cause problems with the sedation.”

“Now, about the sedation.
You will receive light sedation — that’s a small amount of medicine to help you feel calm and sleepy.
You won’t be fully asleep, but you will be more relaxed.
Because of this sedation, you should not drive afterwards.
In fact, you will need a family member or friend to take you home safely.”

“Next, let’s talk about risks and complications.
The risk is very small, but I want you to be aware.
For example, there is a slight chance of bleeding or infection.
This is uncommon, but we always explain it clearly so you are informed.”

“Finally, about recovery.
Recovery is usually quick.
Most patients feel normal again the same day, but I recommend you rest at home and avoid heavy activities.
Your care plan will include follow-up instructions, and we will give you a number to call if you have any concerns.”

“So, to summarise: you must fast for six hours, you will have light sedation, there is a small risk of bleeding, and recovery is usually fast.
Does that make sense?
Do you have any questions or worries about these instructions?”

Listen to the audio of a doctor explaining procedures and giving instructions, and answer these questions:

  • In which parts did the doctor use signposting?
  • In which parts did the doctor use paraphrasing?
  • What are the 4 main points that the doctor discussed?

Listen again and fill in the blanks

Preparation

  • Patient must follow (1) ________ for at least 6 hours before the procedure.
  • Means: no (2) ________ or (3) ________ after midnight (if morning appointment).

Sedation

  • Patient will receive (4) ________ to feel calm and sleepy.
  • Must not (5) ________ afterwards.
  • Needs a (6) ________ or friend to take her home.

Risks/Complications

  • Small risk of (7) ________ or (8) ________.
  • These are (9) ________, but explained for patient’s awareness.

Recovery

  • Recovery is usually (10) ________.
  • Patient should (11) ________ at home and avoid (12) ________ activities.
  • A (13) ________ will include follow-up instructions.
  • Phone number given if patient has (14) ________.

Summary

  • Must fast, will have light sedation, small risk of complications, recovery normally quick.

Answers

Suggested answers:

  1. fasting
  2. food
  3. drinks
  4. light sedation
  5. drive
  6. family member
  7. bleeding
  8. infection
  9. uncommon
  10. quick
  11. rest
  12. heavy
  13. care plan
  14. concerns

Paraphrase the following sentences using layman’s language:

  • One important point is fasting.
  • You will receive light sedation.
  • There might be some complications.
  • Recovery is usually quick

Listen to a doctor giving pre-procedure instructions, and answer and fill in the gaps below.

Listening Task – Endoscopy with Sedation

Patient: Mr. Smith
Doctor explains preparation, consent, risks, and recovery.

Preparation

  • Must sign a (1) ________ form to show agreement.
  • Test uses a sterile (2) ________ to look inside the stomach.
  • Patient (3) ________ for six hours (no food/drink).
  • Fasting needed to prevent (4) ________ or food entering lungs.

Sedation

  • Will receive (5) ________ (medicine to relax and feel sleepy).
  • Not full (6) ________ – patient will not be unconscious.
  • Patient must not (7) ________ afterwards.
  • Needs a (8) ________ or family member to go home.

Risks/Complications

  • Small chance of (9) ________ or infection.
  • Rare complication: possible injury to the (10) ________.
  • Risks are (11) ________, equipment is sterile.

Recovery

  • Should (12) ________ at home for the rest of the day.
  • Avoid (13) ________ activity until the next day.
  • Recovery is usually (14) ________.

Care Plan

  • After procedure, vital signs checked on the (15) ________.
  • Patient will be (16) ________ the same day if stable.
  • Written instructions + (17) ________ given for concerns.
  • If swelling, stiffness or lump found, may send (18) ________ for biopsy.
  • Most lumps are (19) ________, not malignant.
  • May need (20) ________ form to a specialist if required.

✅ Suggested Answers:

  1. consent
  2. camera
  3. fast / fasting
  4. vomiting
  5. light sedation
  6. anaesthesia
  7. drive
  8. friend / wife / relative
  9. bleeding
  10. bowel
  11. rare
  12. rest
  13. heavy
  14. quick / fast
  15. observation chart
  16. discharged
  17. phone number
  18. sample / biopsy
  19. benign
  20. referral

Doctor’s Role Card

Setting: Outpatient clinic
Patient: Coming for an endoscopy procedure with sedation

Your tasks:

  • ✅ Obtain consent by explaining clearly what will happen.
  • ✅ Explain preparation: patient must follow fasting rules (no food/drink for 6 hrs).
  • ✅ Explain sedation: light medicine to relax, can’t drive after.
  • ✅ Mention possible risk/complication (small chance of bleeding or infection).
  • ✅ Reassure about recovery: usually quick, patient should rest at home.
  • ✅ Give care plan: follow-up instructions and phone number to call.
  • ✅ Use modals (must, should, may) and at least 5 glossary words (consent, fasting, sedation, risk, recovery, care plan, sterile, etc.).
  • ✅ Check understanding, invite questions, and paraphrase medical terms.

Can-do Checklist

✅ Did you check patient understanding?

✅ Did you use modals correctly?

✅ Did you explain glossary words in patient-friendly English?

📤 Create your own lifestyle questionnaire and ask friends to answer it.

🎥 Write a patient advice note with recommendations for each friend.

Record a shadow reading of the video in the (Instruct and Model) section.

Record your answer to the question in the (Independent Practice) section.

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