OET Speaking Archives - Khaira Education

October 20, 2024

How to ace the Listening Part B with Best OET Online Training in Mohali | Khaira Education

Are you preparing for the OET exam and finding Part B of the listening module challenging? You’re not alone! Many candidates, especially non-native speakers, struggle with this section, given its fast-paced format and varying accents.

But don’t worry—Khaira Education, the best OET coaching center in Mohali and a leader in online OET training, is here to help. In this blog, we’ll explore essential tips that can make a significant difference in your OET Listening Part B performance, helping you achieve the scores you need.

Here are a few tips that will help you get those desired exam scores.

Mature medical physician explaining treatment to nurses during healthcare seminar pointing at digital monitor. Clinic herapist discussing with colleagues about disease, medicine professional.

1. Make the most of those 15 seconds in Part B

It might seem like 15 seconds is no time at all, but those 15 seconds can make or break the situation for you. So, what do you do in these 15 seconds before the audio starts?

First, read the context sentence. Yes, we all know that the context sentence is already spoken in the audio, but reading it again can provide useful context before the audio even starts.

For example, if the context sentence says, ‘You hear a GP and his practice nurse discussing a vaccination program,’ you can gather a lot of information from it.

You’ll know that there will be two speakers and that the GP is male, as it mentions ‘his practice nurse,’ indicating the nurse is likely female. You also know they will be discussing a vaccination program. So even before the audio plays, knowing what the speakers will talk about will activate relevant knowledge and vocabulary – priming your mind to recognize and understand key terms more quickly.

2. Highlight the keywords:

Dentist showing teeth x-ray reviewing it with nusre. Doctor and assistant working in modern crowded stomatological clinic, patients sitting on chairs in reception filling in dental forms and waiting

As we have already established, using the 15 seconds wisely can be very helpful in grasping the fold of information as it unfolds once the audio plays. After we read the context sentence, we move on to the question, and while reading the question, we should highlight the keywords. What are these keywords?

For example, if the context sentence says, “You hear a surgeon and a patient talking about the impending surgery.’ your question asks, ‘What is the patient most concerned about?’, here our keywords should be ‘patient most concerned.’ Since we know we’ll be hearing a surgeon and a patient talking in the audio, your attention should be on the patient’s concern. So, highlighting ‘patient’ and ‘concerned’ will help you look for specific details when the audio plays.

Another example can be when a context sentence says, ‘You hear a surgeon addressing a group of medical students about patient risk in emergency surgery.’ The question might be, ‘What is the surgeon trying to emphasize?’ Here, our keyword is ‘emphasize,’ not ‘the surgeon,’ because we know that the surgeon is the only speaker from our context sentence.

So, we won’t highlight ‘the surgeon’ as we did in the previous example, since we already know there’s only one speaker. Instead, we’re focused on what he is trying to emphasize in the audio.

3. Focus on the question, not the answer!

smiling young female doctor wearing medical robe and stethoscope sitting at desk with medical tools and laptop showing empty hand isolated on white background

The focus should always be on the question, not just the answer. For example, if the context says, ‘You hear part of a hospital management meeting where a concern is being discussed,’ and the question asks, ‘What is the committee most worried about?’, you need to pay attention to the words ‘most worried.’

The committee might be worried about many things, but you’re only looking for the main one. That means, all three options might come in the audio, but you need to focus on the main concern, not just any concern that gets mentioned in the answer options.

Another example could be when the context says, ‘You hear 2 doctors discussing a patient’s current condition,’ and the question asks, ‘What do they agree on about the treatment?’ The key here is the phrase ‘what do they agree on.’ The audio might mention things that one doctor wants to do but the other doctor doesn’t agree with, or the other way around.

If you focus only on the answer, you might end up picking the wrong one. So, you’ve got to focus on the question, which means you need to pick the answer that shows what both the doctors are on the same page about.

In short, don’t just match the words you hear—focus on the question and match the meaning.

Mastering OET Listening Part B doesn’t have to be daunting when you have the right guidance and strategies. At Khaira Education, we specialize in offering the best OET coaching in India, both online and in Mohali, to equip you with the skills to excel in every section of the OET exam. With focused preparation, attention to context, and strategic listening techniques, you can approach your OET exam with confidence. Ready to get started?

Enroll in our OET training center near you or access OET online classes to boost your preparation!

October 8, 2024

Top 3 OET Speaking Mistakes and How the Best Online OET Coaching in India Can Help You Overcome Them

By Gurleen Khaira Blog, OET Speaking

Let’s face it—OET Speaking isn’t just about chatting with a patient; it’s about demonstrating you can communicate clearly, professionally, and effectively in English. But what if I told you that a few common mistakes could keep you from the score you deserve?

Let’s dive into three pitfalls many candidates face and how to dodge them, with real-life examples to drive the point home.

1. Initiating all role-plays in the same way

Many candidates assume all roleplays start the same way. Spoiler alert: they don’t! Each roleplay has unique cues; missing them can set the wrong tone from the get-go. The key to a great start is carefully reading the setting, the context sentence, and the first task.

Let’s look at some examples

Example 1: The cue card context statement mentions that you’ve just finished examining the patient.

In this case, you wouldn’t begin with, “Hello, my name is Dr. Singh. How are you today?” because that introduction would have already happened before the examination. Instead, you might say, “Thank you for letting me examine you. I’d like to discuss your symptoms further / share the findings with you / explain what has caused your current symptoms.”

Example 2: The cue card indicates this is a follow-up appointment

Here, you wouldn’t ask for the patient’s name again, or say, “Nice to meet you.” You could jump straight into, “It’s good to see you again. How have you been feeling since our last appointment?”

You’ll become more professional and attentive by picking up on these subtle cues. And yes, this is exactly the kind of thing we drill at our OET coaching institutes in Chandigarh, ensuring you know how to handle every roleplay like a seasoned pro.

2. Grammar Slips – The Silent Score Killer

You’ve probably heard this before: grammar matters! But when you’re nervous, even the most basic grammar rules can slip. Trust me, we see this all the time during our OET exam training in Mohali. However, being mindful of these errors is what sets high scorers apart.

Bad Example:

“You have had a cold for how long?”

Here, the incorrect verb tense and word order disrupt the flow.

Good Example:

“How long have you had the cold?”

A quick tip? Practice speaking with someone who can give you constructive feedback. Even better, ask yourself “which is the best OET coaching near me?” (yes, that’s us!) – and join formal OET training where daily practice sessions help sharpen your fluency.

3. Structuring the Roleplay – Use Signposts, Don’t Get Lost!

Without structure, your roleplay can feel like a rambling conversation. A well-structured dialogue helps the patient (and most importantly, your examiners) follow along smoothly. This is where signposting comes into play—it’s all about guiding your listener from one point to another.

Signposting like this is a game-changer for clarity, and it’s one of the things we emphasize during our Best OET coaching in India. We make sure you know when and how to use these techniques to meet the clinical communication criteria.

Let’s compare these two examples

Example 1

* Nurse: “Good morning, Mr. Patel. My name is Nurse Gurleen, and I’ll be taking care of you today. First, I’d like to ask you a few questions about how you’ve been feeling lately, then we’ll discuss your treatment options. After that, I can answer any questions you may have. Does that sound alright?”

* Patient: “Yes, that sounds fine.”

* Nurse: “Great! Let’s start by talking about the pain you mentioned. Can you describe it for me?”

Example 2

• Nurse: “Hello, Mr. Patel. I’m your nurse today. So, let’s get started. Tell me about your pain. Oh, and after that, I’ll explain the treatment options, but first, I might need to ask you about your symptoms.”

• Patient: “Um… okay, I guess?”

• Nurse: “Alright, let’s begin.”

The first example provides a structured, patient-centered conversation, while in the second example, the sequence of topics is confusing because the nurse jumps between different points and doesn’t check for understanding or ensure the patient feels comfortable.

Finding yourself thinking, “Where’s the best OET training centre near me to get more such lessons?” Our team specializes in helping candidates like you avoid these common mistakes, with tailored feedback and practice sessions. Don’t leave your OET Speaking score to chance—join us and master the exam!

September 9, 2024

Your Guide to OET Speaking Success: Role-Play, Language Expectations, and Expert Tips

By Gurleen Khaira Blog, OET Speaking

If you’re preparing for the OET, particularly the Speaking sub-test, you know how essential it is to be well-prepared. This part of the exam requires not just good language skills but also the ability to communicate effectively in a professional healthcare context.

Whether you’re searching for the best OET coaching centre in Mohali or looking for OET exam preparation online, having the right resources and guidance is essential.

In this blog, we’ll explore a sample OET Speaking role-play, providing you with key language expectations and a practical script to help you excel in your preparation. Whether you’re in Punjab or anywhere nearby, finding the best OET coaching centre can make all the difference in your exam success.

Candidate Cue-card

SETTING Hospital Ward

Nurse You have been called to the patient’s bedside. The patient is a 37-year-old man/woman who was admitted to the hospital yesterday with a fractured leg.

You notice that he/she looks quite agitated. It’s early morning, and the doctor is on rounds in the hospital. He/ She was given a painkiller earlier today.

TASK

• Find out why the patient is angry

• Explain that you were attending to a critical patient

• Empathize with the patient regarding his/her complaint(s) and calm the patient down.

• Ask him/her about the pain (pain score, whether ongoing pain-relief medication is effective).

• Explain that you need to call the doctor to change his/her pain-relief medicine.

• Find out if the patient has any other concerns

• Encourage the patient to discuss his/her dietary preferences with the hospital dietician

Interlocutor cue-card

SETTING Hospital Ward

Patient You are 37 years old and were admitted to the hospital yesterday with a fractured leg. You are in a lot of pain which has not subsided despite the pain-killer medicine which was given to you earlier. You rang the buzzer 30 minutes ago, but no one has come to see you.

You feel alone in the hospital, and the pain is making you very uncomfortable. This is the first time you have been hospitalized. You are annoyed with the hospital staff for neglecting you while you were in pain.

TASK

• Agitatedly tell the nurse that you are extremely upset and want to file a complaint.

• Answer the nurse’s questions about why you are angry.

• When asked, tell the nurse that your pain score is 11 and you want a stronger pain-killer.

• Demand the nurse gets a stronger medication herself/himself (because calling the doctor seems like another delaying tactic to you).

• Ask the nurse if you can see the doctor and inquire about the doctor’s whereabouts.

• When asked about other concerns, express dissatisfaction with the hospital food.

Speaking description of what a good student is expected to produce

Introduction

In this roleplay, the student (nurse) has been called to the patient’s bedside. The student should start the role play with a polite introduction and investigate the reason for being called to the patient’s bedside.

• Hello, my name is Gurleen, and I am going to be taking care of you today. I see that you rang the buzzer?

• Hello, my name is Gurleen, and I am the attending nurse on duty today. I see that you rang the nurse call button. Please let me know how I may assist you?

The student should ask the patient what he/she would prefer to be called (first name or last name). This is simply a matter of courtesy and respect as some people prefer to be called by their first names while others prefer to be addressed as Mr or Mrs. followed by their last name.

• How may I address you?

• What do you prefer to be called?

1. Find out why the patient is angry

The patient seems agitated, so the student will need to ask open-ended indirect questions to find out the cause that has triggered this reaction.

• You seem angry. Would you mind telling me what’s bothering you?

• I can see that you seem angry. Would you please tell what’s troubling you?

• I hope you don’t mind my saying this, but it seems that something is disturbing you. Could you please tell me what’s going on?

• I can sense that you are quite upset. Could you please elaborate on what happened?

• I can see you are incredibly upset. It’s important that we understand each other completely. Would you mind telling me what’s bothering you?

The student should exercise reflective listening skills to acknowledge or validate the patient’s concerns to demonstrate an understanding of the situation.

This can be done by repeating /paraphrasing or reflecting back what the patient’s response. This “reflective listening” will not only affirm that the patient is being heard but also provide more opportunity to the patient to express himself/herself.

• If I understand you correctly, you are angry about the delayed bedside visit. Is that right?

2. Explain that you were attending to a critical patient

Once it has been established that the patient is upset regarding the delayed bedside visit, the student should explain the reason for the delay. However, care must be taken to do this empathetically. Use polite expressions to justify the reason for being late.

• I apologise for the delay. I had to attend to a critical patient urgently.

• I am sorry this has happened. I was attending to a critical patient.

• I am sorry that you had to wait for so long. The reason my visit was delayed is that I was attending to a patient in critical condition.

3. Empathize with the patient regarding his/her complaint(s) and calm the patient down.

For this part, the student must empathetically respond to the patient’s complaints to validate his/her feelings and show understanding. The students can also use back channelling when the patient is expressing her complaints to make him/her feel heard.

For instance, utterances like “Okay,” “Uh-huh,” “Right,” “Mmm,” but the student needs to demonstrate an awareness of intonation and timing while using these. It is also important to include expressions of apology to defuse the patient’s anger or at least prevent him/her from becoming angrier.

The student should adjust the style of communication when talking to an agitated patient (calm tone, speaking slowly and clearly).

Also, the student should continue to ask what he/she can do for the patient. This shows again that the health professional cares enough about the situation and wants to help to rectify it.

• I am so sorry to hear that. I apologise for the rough experience that you have had. Please let me know how I can assist you?

• Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I can now understand how frustrating it must have been to wait while you were in pain. I am sorry for this; I will ensure that it does not get repeated.

• I am so sorry that this is happening to you. I understand this must have been very difficult for you.

• Given everything that you have told me, it’s understandable that you feel this way. What can I do to help you?

4. Ask him/her about the pain (pain score, whether ongoing pain-relief medication is effective).

When the patient has calmed down and demands pain relief medication for pain management, the student would need to use suitable expressions for pain assessment. Since pain is a subjective experience and may not be clearly articulated by many, a pain scale may be used to encourage the patient to self-report the intensity or severity of the pain.

• Would you mind telling me how severe the pain is on a scale of 0 to 10 where 0 is no pain and ten being the worst you have ever experienced?

The student should use polite expressions to inquire about the efficacy of the pain-relief medication given earlier.

• I am sorry that your pain level is so high. Did the pain medication we gave you earlier help at all in alleviating the pain?

5. Explain that you need to call the doctor to change his/her pain-relief medicine.

For this part, the student would need to explain that a stronger medication can only be administered with a physician’s orders. It needs to be done skillfully as the patient is in pain and has already had to wait for 30 minutes.

Therefore, the nurse should justify this step by explaining that this decision is the patient’s best interests. It can also be explained that prescribing a new medication is beyond the nurse’s limits of competence. The student can also provide emotional reassurance to the patient by ensuring that the patient would not have to wait long. At the same time, empathetic phrases should be used to acknowledge the patient’s pain.

• So, here’s what I am going to do. I am going to call the doctor and let him know that the pain medication you are on isn’t helping to control your pain and you are in a lot of pain right now. I need to ask him if we can give you something stronger if he’s comfortable with that. Does that sound good?

• I know it’s difficult to cope with the pain; however, I am only allowed to give medication as prescribed by the physician. It’s beyond my scope to change the medication without doctor’s order.

Your safety is my priority, and it’s crucial that the doctor agrees to switch your medication. That being said, I will ensure that you do not have to wait long.

In case the patient demands to see a doctor, the student should calmly explain that he/she is on rounds and offer to call the doctor for managing the patient’s pain.

At the same time, it should be recognised that the situation is difficult for the patient to cope with. Also, the student should reassure the patient by conveying that the doctor is concerned about the patient’s welfare and should be seeing the patient as early as possible.

• I understand your concern and where you are coming from. It is early morning, so he’s probably on rounds and should be coming to see you soon.

• I know that it’s distressing to be in this situation. Here’s what I recommend, let’s call him first and form a plan of action to manage your pain. I will also ask him to visit you as early as possible. Would that be okay?

The next step will be to check if the patient is okay with this decision.

It’s important that the patient’s views are elicited by asking questions like “How does that sound?” or “Is that okay with you?”. It’s very important to adopt a non-judgemental approach towards the patient’s perspective and acknowledge the legitimacy of the patient to have his/her own views.

6. Find out if the patient has any other concerns

If the patient expresses dissatisfaction while being in the hospital, some probing questions may be asked to find out if there is anything else bothering the patient.

• Besides this, is there anything else bothering you?

• Apart from this, is there anything else that I can assist you with?

The next step would be to pick up verbal cues and acknowledge their concerns by using empathetic phrases that signal sensitivity to their predicament.

• That does make sense. I can see why you have been upset. It’s hard enough to be in the hospital, let alone, with other stuff going on.

7: Encourage the patient to discuss his/her dietary preferences with the hospital dietician.

For this part, the student should attempt to arrive at a favourable outcome for the patient by suggesting that he/she discusses food preferences with the hospital dietician.

• Regarding the food, I can request the hospital dietician to visit you shortly to discuss your food preferences after which she can customise your diet plan to meet your needs. How do you feel about what I am proposing?

The role play should conclude with a structured end by collaborating with the patient to arrive at an acceptable plan.

• Here’s what I am going to do next. I am going to call the doctor regarding your medication, and following that, since you do not have any family here, I will check on you at least once in every hour to ensure that you have everything you need. I will also notify the dietician to visit you soon. Is that alright?

For this role-play, let’s assume the patient is a female and wants to be addressed as Mrs. Rodriguez.

Sample Transcript

Nurse: Hello, my name is a, and I am the attending nurse on duty today. I see that you rang the nurse call button. How may I address you?

Patient: Call me Mrs. Rodriguez.

Nurse: Mrs. Rodriguez, you seem angry. Would you mind telling me what’s bothering you?

Patient: Finally, someone is asking! I rang the buzzer 30 minutes ago. Where were you?

Nurse: I apologise for the delay. I had to attend to a critical patient urgently. How are you feeling?

Patient: I think no one seems to care. I am in a lot of pain, but this is a ridiculous hospital!

Nurse: I can sense that you are quite upset. Could you please elaborate on what happened?

Patient: Well, not just upset. I am distraught and angry and in a lot of pain. This is horrible. No one has ever treated me like this.

Nurse: I am so sorry to hear that. I apologise for the rough experience that you have had. Please let me know how I can assist you?

Patient: If you cared, you would have been here earlier…Your sorry isn’t good enough. I am going to file a complaint against you and everyone here!

Nurse: I can see you are incredibly upset Mrs. Rodriguez. It’s important that we understand each other completely. Would you mind telling me what’s bothering you?

Patient: I rang the buzzer 30 minutes ago. I have been sitting here and waiting for someone to give me medicine to help me with my pain. But, no one cares in this hospital! You are all useless!

Nurse: Thank you so much for sharing this with me. It helped me to understand the situation much better. I can now understand how frustrating it must have been to wait while you were in pain. I am sorry for this; I will ensure that it does not get repeated.

Patient: Yes! I need to get some tablets now. This pain is killing me.

Nurse: Certainly, but before that, would you mind telling me how severe the pain is on a scale of 0 to 10 where 0 is no pain and ten being the worst you have ever experienced?

Patient: It’s like an 11.

Nurse: I am sorry that your pain level is so high. Did the pain medication we gave you earlier help at all in alleviating the pain?

Patient: No, it’s really not helping. I need something stronger.

Nurse: Right. So, here’s what I am going to do. I am going to call the doctor and let him know that the pain medication you are on isn’t helping to control your pain and you are in a lot of pain right now.

I need to ask him if we can give you something stronger if he’s comfortable with that. Does that sound good?

Patient: Wow! That’s another delaying tactic you have there! Just get me a strong pain-killer; it’s all I am asking.

Nurse: I know it’s very difficult to cope with the pain; however, I am only allowed to give medication as prescribed by the physician.

It’s beyond my scope to change the medication without doctor’s order. Your safety is my priority, and it’s crucial that the doctor agrees to switch your medication. That being said, I will ensure that you do not have to wait long. Is that alright?

Patient: Hmm. In that case, where is the doctor? Shouldn’t he be here for this? I would like to see him.

Nurse: I understand your concern and where you are coming from. It’s early morning, so he’s probably on a round and should be coming to see you soon.

Patient: But, I am in pain… What could be more important to him than this?

Nurse: I know that it’s distressing to be in this situation. Here’s what I recommend, let’s call him first and form a plan of action to manage your pain. I will also ask him to visit you as early as possible. Would that be okay?

Patient: Yes, I would like something to help with this pain. My husband just left, and I am alone. On top of that, this pain is making me so uncomfortable. I need to feel better.

Nurse: I can understand. That does make sense. I can see why you have been upset. It’s hard enough to be in the hospital, let alone, with other stuff going on.

Patient: Yes. And I don’t know for how long I would have to stay here.

Nurse: Besides managing your pain, is there anything else too that I can assist with? I want to ensure that you are properly looked after.

Patient: Yes, I don’t like the hospital food at all.

Nurse: Thanks for sharing this with me. Regarding the food, I can request the hospital dietician to visit you shortly to discuss your food preferences after which she can customise your diet plan to meet your needs. How do you feel about what I am proposing?

Patient: Yes, that’s fine.

Nurse: Ok. Here’s what I am going to do next. I am going to call the doctor regarding your medication, and following that, since you do not have any family here, I will check on you at least once in every hour to ensure that you have everything you need. I will also notify the dietician to visit you soon. Does that sound okay?

Patient: Yes, that sounds like a good plan.

Nurse: OK. I will be back soon with your medication.

Patient: Alright, thank you, nurse.

Nurse: You’re welcome.

Mastering the OET Speaking sub-test is an achievable goal with the right resources and practice. Whether you’re searching for the best OET coaching centre near you or prefer OET exam preparation online, it’s important to choose a place that understands your needs. Our centre, often recommended as one of the best OET coaching centres in Punjab and Mohali, is dedicated to helping you succeed. Reach out to us to start your journey towards a successful OET experience.

February 1, 2024

How to Start a Role Play in Healthcare Communication: A Guide for OET Speaking Success

By Gurleen Khaira Blog, OET Speaking

Master the art of beginning a role play with our expert guide. Learn how to set a positive tone, establish rapport, and demonstrate competence in OET Speaking tests for healthcare professionals.

Mastering the Art of Starting a Role Play in Healthcare Communication

Starting a role play effectively is pivotal in demonstrating your communication skills as a healthcare professional. The initial interaction not only sets the tone for the entire exchange but also significantly influences your perceived competence, empathy, and politeness. Creating a comfortable and respectful environment is essential for building a strong foundation in clinical communication, a critical aspect of the OET Speaking sub-test.

Preparing for a Successful Role Play

Tailoring Your Introduction
Understanding the context is key. Your opening remarks should be appropriate, considering your familiarity with the patient. Professionalism, courtesy, and empathy must be evident from the start to make the patient feel valued.

The Impact of a Strong Opening

A confident beginning to the 5-minute role play enhances authenticity and relaxes you, allowing your English skills to shine. This approach is corroborated by successful OET Speaking candidates, who noted the realism and positive impact on their performance.

Flexibility in Communication

Adapt your language to mirror a genuine conversation, adjusting for different scenarios. The decision to introduce yourself should be informed by the role-play card’s context. If it’s a first meeting, begin with introductions. Otherwise, delve directly into the consultation.

Enhancing Patient Engagement

Addressing Patients and Relatives
Your approach should vary based on whether you’ve previously met. In emergencies, prioritize concise communication. Using the patient’s first name fosters a connection, but always ask older patients for permission, showing respect.

Proceeding After Initial Examination

If the role play follows an examination, skip introductions and express gratitude for their cooperation, moving smoothly into the consultation phase.

Key Takeaways for OET Speaking Role Play Success

This guide is designed to refine your speaking role play strategy, emphasizing the importance of a well-executed start. By focusing on patient-centered communication, you can build confidence and ensure a successful interaction in your OET Speaking test. analyse for keywords

Implementing What You’ve Learned: Role Play Scenarios in Healthcare Communication

Now that we’ve covered the essentials of starting a role play in healthcare communication, let’s put your knowledge into practice with some exercises. These scenarios are designed to reflect real-life situations you might encounter in a healthcare setting, helping you prepare for the OET Speaking sub-test effectively.

Scenario 1: Hospital Ward

Nurse: You are speaking to a 58-year-old patient who recently underwent an appendectomy. The patient has reported feeling unwell. You’ve just finished conducting a post-operative assessment.

Task: Share the assessment findings with the patient (signs of an infection at the surgical site). Discuss steps for management and care.

Question: How will you initiate this role-play?

A) Good morning, Patricia. I’m Nurse Tina, and I’ll be taking care of you. What seems to be the problem today?

B) Patricia, thank you for letting me examine you. I’ve noticed some indicators of infection at the surgery site, but it’s good we caught it early. Let’s go over the treatment plan to get you healed up.

C) Hello Patricia, I am your nurse for today. I understand you’re feeling unwell after the surgery. Can you describe your symptoms?

D) Hello, I’m Nurse Tina. I have come here to check up on you. Before I proceed further, may I confirm your full name?

Scenario 2: Outpatient Clinic

Doctor: This 52-year-old patient is seeing you today to talk about their symptoms of fatigue and weight gain. You have finished examining the patient. The symptoms are suggestive of type 2 diabetes.

Task: Give the findings of your assessment (indicative of type 2 diabetes, further tests required to confirm the diagnosis).

Question: How will you initiate this role-play?

A) Hello Sam. I am Dr. Carter, your endocrinologist. What brings you here today?

B) Sam, Thank you for your patience. Let’s discuss what the findings indicate and consider our options moving forward.

C) Hello Sam, I am your doctor looking after you today. I see that you have come here with complaints of fatigue and weight loss. Is that correct?

D) Hello, My name is Dr. Carter and I’ll be looking after you today. How may I address you?

Moving Forward

Practicing these scenarios will help you refine your approach to healthcare communication, ensuring you’re well-prepared for the OET Speaking sub-test. For more exercises, insights, and in-depth guidance, check out our suite of courses here: https://khairaeducation.com/oet-course-details/

By focusing on patient-centered communication, you can build confidence and ensure a successful interaction in your OET Speaking test. Remember, the key to success in healthcare communication is not just about medical knowledge but also how effectively you can engage with patients, establishing rapport and trust from the very beginning.

November 13, 2023

Advancing Patient-Centered Communication in Healthcare

By Gurleen Khaira Blog, OET Coaching, OET Speaking

In the dynamic world of healthcare, effective communication stands as a cornerstone of excellent patient care. For health professionals, mastering the art of patient-centered communication is not just a skill, but a necessity. This blog post delves into practical ways and techniques to enhance communication with patients, ensuring their needs and perspectives are at the forefront of every healthcare encounter.

Active Listening: A Key to Understanding

Active listening is fundamental in understanding patient concerns. This means not only hearing what the patient says but also noticing what remains unsaid. Techniques like nodding, maintaining eye contact, and summarizing what the patient has said are crucial. For instance, a patient discussing discomfort might hint at deeper anxieties about their condition. Recognizing and addressing these unspoken concerns can significantly improve the care experience.

Simplifying Medical Jargon:

Patients often feel overwhelmed by medical terminology. Simplifying complex medical language into terms that are easily digestible can make a significant difference. For example, instead of saying “You have hypertension,” a more patient-friendly approach would be “Your blood pressure is higher than it should be, which is something we call hypertension.”

Empathy in Action:

Empathy goes beyond understanding a patient’s feelings; it involves demonstrating that understanding. Suppose a patient expresses fear about a procedure. An empathetic response might be, “It’s completely normal to feel anxious about this procedure. Many people do. Let’s go over what will happen step by step to help ease your worries.”

Cultural Sensitivity:

Cultural sensitivity is crucial in patient-centerer communication. This includes being aware of and respectful towards different cultural backgrounds and communication styles. For instance, some cultures may value directness, while others prefer more indirect communication. Adapting your approach to align with these preferences shows respect and enhances communication.

Encouraging Questions and Participation:

Encourage patients to ask questions and participate actively in their care. This could be as simple as asking, “Do you have any questions or concerns about what we’ve discussed?” This not only empowers patients but also ensures they have a clear understanding of their health and treatment plans.

Enhancing patient-centered communication is essential for healthcare professionals. Continuous learning and development through #OET (Occupational English Test) #oetspeaking preparation, #OET training, and #OET coaching can significantly augment these skills. Khaira Education provides dedicated support and resources for healthcare professionals aiming to excel in patient-centered communication. Remember, effective communication is not just about conveying information; it’s about building relationships and trust, crucial elements in the world of healthcare.

October 27, 2023

Mastering the Art of Questioning in OET Speaking

By Gurleen Khaira OET Speaking

Effective communication in healthcare goes beyond mere transmission of facts. It’s a nuanced blend of ensuring that the patient understands the medical intricacies while also acknowledging their emotions and apprehensions. Herein, we delve into two pivotal categories of questions in the OET Speaking test and offer an expanded array of examples for each

1. Clarity Checkers:

These are the guardian angels of patient comprehension, ensuring that the essence of what’s been discussed hasn’t been lost in translation. In other words, the intent behind these inquiries is to ensure that miscommunications are minimized, as these can lead to potential medical errors or poor adherence to treatment protocols.

Contexts:
After explaining a new diagnosis, detailing a treatment plan, or discussing potential risks and benefits of a procedure, it’s imperative to ensure the patient understands. By prompting them to ask questions or paraphrase the information, you can ascertain the patient’s comprehension level.

Examples:
__- “What questions do you have?”

“Is there anything that you’d like to ask about what I’ve just explained?”
“Could you recap what we just went over?”
“To make sure you’ve understood correctly, could you please repeat to me what we’ve discussed ?”
“Do the steps we discussed seem clear to you?” Or “ In your own words, can you describe what we’ve discussed?” __

2. Emotion Explorers:

These are the bridges to a patient’s heart, ensuring they feel seen, heard, and understood on an emotional level. These questions help to build trust and rapport.

Examples:

“How does that sound?”
“Are there any fears or concerns you’d like to share?”
“On a scale of 1-10, how comfortable are you with this?”
“How does this make you feel?”
“What are your thoughts on this?”
“Are you comfortable with this plan?”
“What concerns or worries do you have about this?”

Contexts:
When presenting potential treatment options, like lifestyle modifications, or discussing a significant diagnosis, it’s beneficial to know how the patient feels. By asking about their feelings, you can address any emotional barriers to care and ensure that the patient feels supported.

Activity: Determining Appropriate Question Types in OET Speaking

Based on the context, decide if a Clarity Checker or an Emotion Explorer is more appropriate. Then, craft a suitable question for each scenario.

Scenario 1: You’ve just explained necessary lifestyle modifications to a patient who recently had a heart attack. The patient has agreed to make these changes.

Scenario 2: A young athlete has been told they need to take a break from sports for three months due to a knee injury.

Scenario 3: A couple has been informed about potential challenges in conceiving naturally, and IVF is suggested as an alternative.

June 14, 2022

OET SPEAKING TEST TIP

By Gurleen Khaira OET Speaking

WAYS TO ELICIT AND EXPLORE THE PATIENT’S IDEAS/CONCERNS OR EXPECTATIONS:

In the OET Speaking exam, the second sub-criteria under clinical communication criteria is “Understanding and incorporating the patient’s perspective”, which is commonly overlooked by students. It is essential to incorporate it to understand the patients’ feelings better.

The word ‘elicit’ means ‘to draw or evoke (a reaction, answer, or a fact) from someone.

When communicating with elderly, challenging, withdrawn, sad, or depressed patients, It is crucial to elicit their feelings and reactions constantly.

There are several ways by which we can do the former.

For instance, some patients might have difficulty disclosing/discussing some information about their condition, especially if they are anxious, embarrassed, or uncomfortable talking about it.

Following are the phrase that can be used to elicit information or explore ideas/feelings –

Can I ask what you are thinking at the moment?
You seem worried. Would you mind telling me what’s bothering you?
Could you tell me how this makes you feel?
I can see that this has made you concerned. What can I do to help you feel less anxious?
Can you tell me something about your state of mind right now?
It seems you’ve got something on your mind. Do you mind sharing it with me?

We could also try to reassure these patients by using normalizing statements and telling them they are not alone in having these problems or experiences.

Example –

Many people have difficulty taking the initial steps to lose weight.
Many people find the instructions/guidelines for taking their medication complicated.
This is a common problem, sometimes connected to not getting enough physical activity.
It is perfectly natural for people to feel this way.
It is a common occurrence, and it’s not unusual for this to happen to people in your age group.

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June 5, 2020

Strategies to get above grade A in OET Speaking Test

By Gurleen Khaira OET Speaking

OET exam is a doorway to make your career in the sector of healthcare overseas. Consistently, every month number of students appear in the OET exam in the wake of tangible advantages on clearing this exam.

Tips to score good In OET Speaking test exam

Now let’s talk about how to improve OET speaking test. Even though you are quite good at English and speaks confidently, but when it comes OET speaking Test, you need to care about basic things.

Following are certain tips and strategies that will help candidates to get god grades in OET exam

If we talk about the speaking phase, we must know what examiners are listening to when you speak. Following are the certain tips that will help you to get good grades in the OET exam.

Play your Role

In the speaking sessions, there is an interlocutor who might be playing the role of a patient or any other client. Therefore, you have to play your role confidently. You have to act as a nurse, doctor, physiotherapist dentist, or any other healthcare professional. Your task is to act like that and most specifically be a professional as you are dealing with your real client or patient.

Breaking the ice

The most important thing the candidate should always take care of is he/she is the one who will start the conversation first. Therefore, you need to keep this thing in mind, you will be in full on the professional setting, so the candidate has to ask the questions or talk to the patient. Don’t assume that the patient will ask or start the conversation, as you will be in that role of (doctor-patient,) so break the ice and start giving advice or asking questions. However, 2 out of 10, patients or clients start the conversation, otherwise, you have to start it of your own.

For instance
Hello I am Aliza and I ‘am a community nurse. How can I help you?

Keep the Conversation On

Again, it’s all up to you to maintain the conversation. However, if at a certain point, the silence is invaded, so, it will be the candidates’ responsibility to make it go again.
For instance – Can you tell more about this situation?
Is there is anything that you would like to add?

Understand the patient/client (the interlocutor)

Although this phase is all about speaking, at the time, the candidate must listen to his patient also. Because, in order to reply to him back, you must know what to say after that. Most importantly, don’t just focus on your results, focus on the interaction too.

Upgrade your language

Don’t speak fast while talking to patients. Stay calm and polite while dealing. The candidate must know how to talk to a depressed 70 year-old-man. On the other side, how to g give a reply to an aggressive 19 year-old-man.

Be ready for unexpected turns

During your interview, there might be such situations can come where they ask such odd questions just to check your flexibility in your language and response. Don’t forget, the interviewer knows everything that is going in the real world, therefore, he/she merely wanted to know how you respond in such tough situations.

For instance – Can I have your number after the consultation?
What do you do?

So, be alert!!!

Maintain your roleplay

Lastly, the most important thing that can help the candidate to score grade A in OET speaking test is to maintain the role you are playing i.e. as a healthcare professional (Doctor, Dentist). You have to maintain these three stages introductions, body, and conclusion.

Introduction –The candidate should first introduce himself and start the conversation.
In the body – You should go with the flow that is happening in the conversation.
In conclusion – The candidate can conclude by saying – So, we have talked about the use of X medicine and I understand your problem, so I think it’s the best thing to do.

Therefore, above all, certain tips that can help a candidate to get optimal results in OET speaking test. OET Exam is all about evaluating the candidate’s capability in the field of English Language. This test checks the English proficiency of the candidate and makes him work abroad in the healthcare sector.