Explaining test results in plain English and next steps.
English for Healthcare Professionals. Lesson 9.
You are in a follow-up appointment and the patient wants clear answers: what the results mean and what happens now. Some results are normal, some are borderline, and there is uncertainty. Your goal is to explain the results honestly in plain English, without overwhelming the patient or overpromising.
You will practise translating technical terms into everyday language, and you will build phrases for cautious certainty: what is likely, what is less likely, and what you cannot rule out yet. You will also work on structuring your explanation with signposting, so the patient can follow: first the headline, then the detail, then the plan. You will practise handling common patient reactions such as “So do I have something serious?” and “I read online that…”. You finish by confirming the next steps, including safety advice and how the patient can get help if things change.
1. Follow-up appointment: the first 60 seconds.
In this lesson you’re in a follow-up appointment, and the patient wants clear answers: what the results mean and what happens next. The safest way to do this in English is to be structured. Think: headline first, then detail, then the plan. That structure stops you from overloading the patient, and it also prevents you from sounding uncertain when you’re actually being careful.
In a moment you’ll hear a short model opening. Listen for three things: how the clinician signposts the structure, how they translate a technical term into everyday language, and how they check understanding without sounding like a test. Notice the tone as well: calm, honest, not overpromising.
After the listening, you’ll answer a few comprehension questions and pick out the key phrases. Don’t worry about remembering every medical detail. Your job is to catch the communication moves that make the explanation easy to follow. Ready? Let’s step into the clinic room.
The situation.
You’re in a follow-up appointment. The patient has had some tests (blood tests and an ECG). Some results are normal, one is borderline, and one needs a repeat test. The patient is anxious and wants certainty.
A useful B2 structure for results talk is:
Headline: the main message in one or two sentences.
Detail: explain the key results in plain English (not every number).
Plan: what happens next, by when, and what the patient should do.
This is exactly what you hear in the model audio.
High-value signposting phrases (keep them ready).
When you’re speaking, these phrases act like road signs:
“The main message from your results is…” (headline)
“Overall, this looks reassuring.” (reassurance without overpromising)
“Let me explain what that means in everyday terms.” (translation)
“At this stage, it’s likely that…” (probability)
“We can’t rule out… yet, so the next step is…” (safe uncertainty)
“What have you understood so far?” (check understanding)
What ‘good’ sounds like here.
A good opening is not long. It is clear, calm, and honest.
Too vague: “Everything is kind of fine, I think.”
Too technical: “Your HbA1c is 43 and your LDL is raised.”
Better: “The main message is that most things look reassuring. One result is slightly above the normal range, so I’d like us to repeat a test and talk about some practical steps.”
In the activity, you’ll show you understood the model by answering specific questions and identifying the phrases used.
Practice & Feedback
Listen to the short model conversation and then write your answers.
In one sentence, what is the clinician’s headline message?
Which result is described as “slightly above the normal range”?
What is the next step the clinician suggests?
Copy two exact phrases you heard that help to structure the explanation (signposting).
Keep your answers short and factual. Imagine you’re making quick notes during the appointment, so you can explain the plan clearly and safely.
2. From technical to plain English: results you can explain.
Now let’s get practical with translation. Patients often see numbers, abbreviations, and comments like “borderline” or “within range” on an app. Your job is to turn that into everyday meaning, without dumbing it down and without causing panic.
A good technique is to translate in two steps. First, name the result in simple words. Second, say what it means for the patient, and whether it changes what you do next. Notice how you can be reassuring even when something is not perfect: “slightly above the normal range” is a brilliant phrase because it is accurate and calm.
On the screen you’ve got a small results summary. Read it like a clinician: pick out what is normal, what is borderline, and what needs a repeat or follow-up. Then you’ll practise rewriting short patient-friendly explanations. Aim for clarity, not length, and avoid overpromising.
A mini results sheet (the kind patients see).
Below is a simplified set of results from our follow-up appointment. Your task is to turn these into patient-friendly explanations.
Test
Result
Lab comment
What you might say in plain English
Full blood count
Normal
Within normal range
“This checks things like anaemia and infection markers. Yours looks normal.”
Kidney function (eGFR)
Normal
Normal
“Your kidneys are working well based on this test.”
Cholesterol (LDL)
3.6 mmol/L
Slightly raised
“This is slightly above the normal range, so we should reduce your long-term heart risk.”
HbA1c
42 mmol/mol
Borderline
“This suggests your blood sugar is a bit higher than ideal, but it’s not diabetes. We’ll manage it early.”
Liver enzymes (ALT)
Mildly high
Repeat recommended
“This can rise for lots of reasons. We should repeat it and review possible causes.”
How to translate without overwhelming the patient.
When you translate, aim for three ingredients:
Label it simply: “This is a blood sugar marker.”
Meaning for health: “It shows your average sugar level over a few months.”
Action: “So the next step is…”
Useful phrases to keep you safe and clear.
Use these to avoid sounding dismissive or vague:
“Overall, this looks reassuring.”
“This result is slightly above the normal range.”
“At this stage, it’s likely that…”
“We can’t rule out… yet, so the next step is…”
Notice: you’re not claiming certainty you don’t have. You’re showing a plan.
In the activity, you’ll rewrite three explanations in a way a patient can actually use when they go home.
Practice & Feedback
Read the results sheet and then write three short patient-friendly explanations (2–3 sentences each).
Choose any three of the tests in the table. For each one:
Start with a clear headline (e.g., “This is reassuring.” / “This is slightly above the normal range.”).
Translate the medical term into everyday meaning.
End with the practical next step (repeat, lifestyle advice, follow-up, or “no action needed”).
Write as if you are speaking to the patient in the clinic: calm, clear, and not too technical.
The patient says: “I saw the numbers on the app and it scared me. Is it serious?”
3. Uncertainty without vagueness: likely, unlikely, can’t rule out.
Let’s focus on the hardest part: uncertainty. Patients often hear uncertainty as “the clinician doesn’t know what they’re doing”, when actually you’re being safe and honest. So your English needs to be both cautious and confident.
The key is to pair uncertainty with a reason and a plan. For example, “We can’t rule out X yet” is immediately followed by “so the next step is Y”. That makes you sound organised, not vague.
You’ll also practise responding to a common question: “So do I have something serious?” If you only say “probably not”, it can sound dismissive. If you say “definitely not”, it can be unsafe. The sweet spot is: acknowledge the concern, give probability, and safety-net.
On the screen you’ll see a language toolkit and some mini-dialogues. Then you’ll write your own short replies to three patient questions, using the chunk bank phrases naturally.
Cautious certainty: a small toolkit that works.
In results discussions, you often need probability language. Here are safe, natural options at B2 level.
More reassuring (still careful):
“Overall, this looks reassuring.”
“At this stage, it’s likely that this is…”
“It’s unlikely to be anything immediately serious.”
When you need a follow-up:
“We can’t rule out … yet, so the next step is …”
“This can happen for a few reasons, so I’d like to repeat the test.”
“I don’t want to guess. I’d rather check properly.”
Checking understanding (without sounding like an exam):
“Does that make sense so far?”
“What have you understood so far?”
Mini-dialogues: notice the shape.
Patient: “So do I have something serious?”
Clinician (safe shape): “I hear your concern, and it’s a reasonable question. Overall, this looks reassuring. At this stage, it’s unlikely to be anything immediately serious. However, we can’t rule out a few things yet, so the next step is a repeat test and a review.”
Patient: “Why can’t you just tell me now?”
Clinician: “I understand it’s frustrating. The result is only mildly high, and it can change. I’d rather repeat it and be sure, so we make the right decision.”
Common mistakes to avoid.
Saying “I’m not sure” with no plan (sounds unconfident).
Using too many technical words without translation.
In the activity, you’ll produce three short clinician replies that sound calm, structured and safe.
Practice & Feedback
Write three short replies (2–4 sentences each) as the clinician in this follow-up appointment.
Reply to these patient questions:
“So do I have something serious?”
“My liver test is high. Is my liver damaged?”
“If it’s borderline, why do we need another test?”
Use at least two phrases from this lesson’s chunk bank, especially:
“Overall, this looks reassuring.”
“At this stage, it’s likely that…”
“We can’t rule out… yet, so the next step is…”
Finish at least one reply with a clear next step and a check-understanding question.
Phrases you can recycle.
“The main message from your results is…”
“Overall, this looks reassuring.”
“This result is slightly above the normal range.”
“At this stage, it’s likely that…”
“We can’t rule out… yet, so the next step is…”
“Let me explain what that means in everyday terms.”
“What have you understood so far?”
Clinical context.
Most results are normal. Cholesterol is slightly raised. ALT is mildly high and needs repeating. The patient is anxious and wants certainty today.
4. Handling “I read online that…” in a calm way.
Now we’ll deal with a very real moment: the patient has been searching online. This is common, and it can quickly turn into conflict if you sound dismissive. Your goal is to protect trust while guiding them back to reliable, personalised information.
A useful approach is: acknowledge, caution, then contextualise. You can say something like, “I’d be careful about relying on online information without context.” That doesn’t insult the patient; it simply sets a boundary around accuracy. Then you bring it back to their specific results: what is normal, what is borderline, what needs follow-up.
Also, keep signposting. When emotions rise, structure becomes even more important. You can say, “Let me summarise the main message, then we’ll talk about your concerns.”
In the activity you’ll do a short chat-style simulation. You are the clinician. The patient sends messages like they might on a clinic portal. Your job is to respond clearly, calmly, and with a plan.
Why this moment matters.
When a patient says, “I read online that…”, they are usually bringing:
fear (“this could be cancer”),
confusion (“the internet says this number is dangerous”), or
a demand for certainty (“tell me exactly what it is”).
If you reply bluntly (“Don’t Google”), the patient can feel embarrassed or ignored. A safer response uses three steps:
Acknowledge: “I hear your concern, and it’s a reasonable question.”
Caution: “I’d be careful about relying on online information without context.”
Context + plan: “In your case… so the next step is…”
Language you can lean on.
Try these clinic-friendly lines:
“I hear your concern, and it’s a reasonable question.”
“The internet often lists worst-case scenarios.”
“Let’s look at your results in context.”
“Overall, this looks reassuring.”
“We can’t rule out … yet, so the next step is …”
“What would you say your main worry is?”
Mini-model (chat style).
Patient: “I read online that a high ALT means liver failure. Is that what I have?”
Clinician: “I hear your concern, and it’s a reasonable question. I’d be careful about relying on online information without context. Your ALT is only mildly high, and this can happen for a few reasons, including temporary issues. We can’t rule out the cause yet, so the next step is to repeat the test and review possible triggers. Does that make sense so far?”
In the activity, you’ll respond to three patient messages in a way that protects trust and keeps the plan clear.
Practice & Feedback
Chat simulation: write three clinician messages (each 2–5 sentences). Imagine these messages appear in a secure clinic chat.
Respond to each patient message below. In your replies:
Acknowledge emotion without arguing.
Use one caution line about online information (polite and neutral).
Give a clear next step and timeframe where possible.
Include one check-understanding question in at least one message.
Keep it realistic: short paragraphs, friendly but professional tone, and patient-friendly words.
Patient messages.
“I read online that borderline blood sugar means diabetes. So I have diabetes, right?”
“My cholesterol is raised. Am I going to have a heart attack?”
“The app says ‘repeat recommended’. Why can’t you just tell me what it is today?”
5. Build your full explanation: headline, detail, plan, safety.
You’ve already practised the building blocks: signposting, translation into plain English, and safe uncertainty. Now we’re going to put them together into one complete explanation that could actually work in a follow-up appointment.
Here’s the key idea: you are not delivering a lecture. You are guiding the patient through information in manageable steps. That means you choose the most relevant results, you link them to what the patient cares about, and you make the plan very explicit.
Also, don’t forget safety advice. Even in a routine follow-up, patients need to know what to do if symptoms change, especially if they are anxious and might avoid seeking help.
On the screen you’ll see a simple script template. Use it to write a short, spoken-style explanation. It should sound like you, not like a textbook. Aim for calm, human, and clinically safe English.
A clinic-ready results explanation template.
Use this structure to sound clear and confident without overpromising.
1) Headline (1–2 sentences)
“The main message from your results is…”
“Overall, this looks reassuring.”
2) Key detail (pick 2–3 items)
Choose the results that actually change what you do next.
“If you develop…, you should seek help straight away.”
Worked example (short but complete).
“The main message from your results is that most things look reassuring. Your ECG and kidney test are normal. One result, your cholesterol, is slightly above the normal range, which means we should reduce your long-term heart risk. Your liver enzyme is mildly high; we can’t rule out the cause yet, so the next step is to repeat a fasting blood test in two weeks and review possible triggers. After that, we’ll decide if any further tests are needed. What have you understood so far? And if you develop chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or you feel very unwell, please seek help straight away.”
In the activity, you’ll write your own version for this patient’s results.
Practice & Feedback
Write a spoken-style explanation you would say to the patient (about 130–170 words).
Use the exact situation from this lesson: most results reassuring, cholesterol slightly raised, HbA1c borderline, ALT mildly high and needs repeating.
Include these elements in order:
Headline (1–2 sentences)
Detail for three results (at least one normal, one borderline, one mildly high)
Plan with timeframe (repeat test / follow-up)
One check-understanding question
One safety advice sentence starting with “If you develop…”
Try to use at least three phrases from the chunk bank naturally.
The patient’s results (same as today’s follow-up).
ECG: normal
Kidney blood test: normal
Cholesterol (LDL): slightly raised
HbA1c: borderline
ALT (liver enzyme): mildly high, repeat recommended
Phrases you can use.
“The main message from your results is…”
“Overall, this looks reassuring.”
“This result is slightly above the normal range.”
“At this stage, it’s likely that…”
“We can’t rule out… yet, so the next step is…”
“Let me explain what that means in everyday terms.”
“What have you understood so far?”
“If you develop…, you should seek help straight away.”
6. Final simulation: explain results and agree next steps.
Time for the full performance. You’re going to run the key part of the follow-up appointment from start to finish: explain the results in plain English, handle two patient reactions, and close with next steps and safety advice.
To make this realistic, you’ll work with a short case and a patient who asks exactly the kind of questions that can derail your structure. Your challenge is to stay calm and keep control of the conversation with signposting. Remember: you don’t need to say everything. You need to say the right things in the right order.
As you write, imagine you’re sitting opposite the patient. You’re not writing an essay; you’re creating clinic language you could actually use on shift. Include a check of understanding, and make the plan very explicit: what will happen, when, and who will do it.
When you’re ready, write the dialogue. Aim for natural, professional English that keeps the patient safe and informed.
Integrated mini-OSCE (written simulation).
You are the clinician in a follow-up appointment. The patient is Mr Khan, 47, who booked this appointment because he is worried about his test results.
Results summary:
ECG: normal
Kidney function: normal
Cholesterol (LDL): slightly raised
HbA1c: borderline
ALT: mildly high, repeat recommended
Your communication goals.
You are aiming for:
Plain English: short explanations patients can repeat later.
Cautious certainty: likely/unlikely language that stays safe.
Structure: headline → detail → plan.
Patient management: respond to worries and online information without dismissing.
Safe close: next steps + timeframe + what to do if symptoms change.
Phrases to recycle (choose what fits).
“The main message from your results is…”
“Overall, this looks reassuring.”
“This result is slightly above the normal range.”
“At this stage, it’s likely that…”
“We can’t rule out… yet, so the next step is…”
“Let me explain what that means in everyday terms.”
“What have you understood so far?”
“I hear your concern, and it’s a reasonable question.”
“I’d be careful about relying on online information without context.”
“If you develop…, you should seek help straight away.”
Mini rubric (self-check before you submit).
Did I give a clear headline?
Did I explain borderline and mildly high without panic?
Did I give a timeframe for follow-up?
Did I check understanding?
Did I end with safety advice?
Now, write the dialogue in the activity box.
Practice & Feedback
Write a 12–16 turn dialogue (each turn 1–3 sentences). Use labels like Clinician: and Mr Khan:.
Your dialogue must include:
A clear headline using “The main message…” or “Overall…”
Explanation of cholesterol, HbA1c, and ALT in plain English
Two patient reactions, including:
“So do I have something serious?”
“I read online that high ALT means liver failure.”
A clear plan with a timeframe (e.g., repeat fasting bloods in two weeks + follow-up)
One check-understanding question
A closing safety sentence starting “If you develop…”
Keep it realistic and calm, as if this is a real clinic appointment.
Patient lines you must include (copy them somewhere in your dialogue).
“So do I have something serious?”
“I read online that high ALT means liver failure.”
Clinical plan you should include.
Repeat a fasting blood test in two weeks.
Discuss lifestyle steps for cholesterol and borderline HbA1c.
Arrange follow-up after repeat results.
Helpful language.
“I hear your concern, and it’s a reasonable question.”
“I’d be careful about relying on online information without context.”
