Specialisted doctors

Introduction to Specialized Doctors in French

This lesson focuses on vocabulary and expressions related to specialized medical professionals in French, designed for learners at a B1 level. You will learn key terms to understand and discuss various types of doctors and their areas of expertise, which is essential for medical appointments, conversations about health, and professional contexts.

Key Vocabulary and Expressions

• Le cardiologue – the cardiologist, a heart specialist.
• Le dermatologue – the dermatologist, a skin specialist.
• Le neurologue – the neurologist, specializing in nervous system disorders.
• Le gynécologue – the gynecologist, a women’s health doctor.
• Le pédiatre – the pediatrician, a children’s doctor.
• Faire un rendez-vous avec le spécialiste – to make an appointment with the specialist.
• Le cabinet médical – the doctor’s office or clinic (often for specialists).

Useful Phrases for Conversations

• Je voudrais consulter un cardiologue. – I would like to see a cardiologist.
• Le docteur m’a recommandé un neurologue. – The doctor recommended a neurologist to me.
• Avez-vous besoin d’une référence pour voir un spécialiste? – Do you need a referral to see a specialist?
• Le rendez-vous est fixé à 15 heures. – The appointment is set for 3 p.m.

Differences Between English and French in This Context

In French, the names of medical specialists usually end with the suffix -logue or -âtre, while in English, the equivalent often ends with -logist (e.g., neurologue - neurologist) or -iatrist (clinically less common in English). Also, the article le or la precedes the specialist's name in French because they are masculine or feminine nouns, which is not the case in English. Another difference is that making an appointment is commonly expressed as faire un rendez-vous in French, literally "to make an appointment," whereas in English, we usually say "to make an appointment" or "to schedule a consultation." Understanding these nuances will help learners feel more comfortable discussing healthcare topics in French.

This lesson guides you in recognizing and using specialized medical vocabulary, enabling you to communicate effectively about health and medical issues in French.