10 Phrasal verbs used at the doctor

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Examples
Check up	To undergo a medical examination for assessment of health	I need to schedule a check-up with my doctor. She went for a routine check-up to monitor her blood pressure. They recommend annual check-ups for early detection of health issues. Please come back next month for a follow-up check-up. He skipped his check-up appointment and regretted it later.
Diagnose with	To identify a medical condition or disease	The doctor diagnosed him with pneumonia after conducting several tests. She was diagnosed with diabetes at a young age. They diagnosed the patient with a rare genetic disorder. Please wait for the lab results to diagnose you with the correct illness. He was diagnosed with a severe allergy to peanuts.
Rule out	To eliminate or exclude a possibility or diagnosis	The doctor ruled out appendicitis after examining the patient's symptoms. She underwent several tests to rule out any serious medical conditions. They decided to rule out certain medications as the cause of the allergic reaction. Please don't panic until we can rule out the worst-case scenarios. He was relieved when the doctor ruled out cancer as the cause of his symptoms.
Refer to	To send a patient to another doctor or specialist for further evaluation or treatment	The general practitioner referred her to a cardiologist for a heart condition. She was referred to an orthopedic surgeon for her knee injury. They referred the patient to a neurologist for further neurological testing. Please ask your primary care physician to refer you to a dermatologist. He was referred to a psychiatrist for counseling and therapy.
Prescribe	To recommend or order a medication or treatment	The doctor prescribed antibiotics to treat the bacterial infection. She was prescribed pain medication for her back injury. They prescribed physical therapy sessions to rehabilitate the injured shoulder. Please follow the dosage instructions as prescribed by your doctor. He was hesitant to take the medication prescribed for his anxiety.
Follow up	To monitor progress or revisit a patient after initial treatment or diagnosis	The doctor scheduled a follow-up appointment to assess the effectiveness of the treatment. She followed up with her patients regularly to track their recovery. They recommend following up with a specialist if symptoms persist. Please call the office to schedule a follow-up visit. He forgot to attend his follow-up appointment and had to reschedule.
Fill out	To complete a form or questionnaire with necessary information	Patients are required to fill out a medical history form before their appointment. She filled out the insurance forms at the front desk before seeing the doctor. They asked him to fill out a survey about his lifestyle habits. Please fill out the consent form before undergoing the procedure. He struggled to fill out the paperwork due to his handwriting.
Check in	To register arrival at the doctor's office or clinic	Patients need to check in at the reception desk upon arrival. She checked in using the self-service kiosk in the waiting room. They checked in online before coming to the appointment. Please remember to check in 15 minutes before your scheduled time. He forgot to check in and had to wait longer to be seen.
Take off	To remove clothing or accessories, especially for a medical examination	The nurse asked the patient to take off his shirt for the physical exam. She took off her shoes before stepping onto the scale. They requested that he take off his jewelry before the MRI scan. Please take off any metal objects before entering the X-ray room. He was embarrassed to take off his socks for the foot examination.
Wait on	To attend to or serve a patient, especially in a medical setting	The nurse waited on the patient, bringing water and adjusting the bed. She waited on the doctor during the procedure, handing instruments and supplies. They waited on the elderly patient, assisting with mobility and comfort. Please wait on the patient in room 203; she needs help getting dressed. He enjoyed waiting on patients and providing compassionate care.