Question 1

What level of English do I need?

Accepted Answer

Everyday Consultations are B1, Nadia & Tom Talk is B1–B2, and the Tuesday Medical English Lessons are B2–C1. Every episode shows its level, and you can filter episodes by level on the episodes page.

Question 2

Do I need to work in healthcare to use Medical Voices?

Accepted Answer

No. Many listeners are English learners who want to understand doctors, describe symptoms or handle a pharmacy visit in English. Start with Everyday Consultations (B1). Nurses and doctors will get the most from the Tuesday Clinical English lessons (B2–C1).

Question 3

Which episodes should I start with?

Accepted Answer

If you're learning English, start with Everyday Consultations, Ep. 3 · Describing Symptoms · B1, Ep. 2 · At the Pharmacy · B1. If you're a nurse or doctor, start with Ep. 22 · Pain history in English · B1, Ep. 21 · Calling the Doctor Overnight (SBAR) · B2, Ep. 18 · Chest Pain in the ED · B2. If you're preparing for IELTS or OET, use our listening study guide, then Ep. 1 · First GP Appointment · B1 and Ep. 5 · Vital Signs & Blood Pressure · B1.

Question 4

What does 'Med Nomads' mean?

Accepted Answer

It's what we call our community: anyone who has crossed a border and had to find the words for health in a new language — nurses and doctors building a career abroad, students, and learners who will one day sit in a waiting room speaking English.

Question 5

Will this help with IELTS or OET?

Accepted Answer

Yes, as practice alongside a course. Episodes train the listening and speaking skills both exams test, with real clinical and everyday situations — useful for IELTS General, IELTS Academic and OET. For a full course, our channel partner E2 Language offers 26% off with code MDV26. See our study guide for how to practise with episodes.

Question 6

Are Nadia and Tom real people?

Accepted Answer

No. They're characters voiced with AI voice technology. Every script is written and checked by a human producer, and the scenarios are based on real clinical practice.

Question 7

Is the content medically accurate?

Accepted Answer

Scenarios and vocabulary are checked against clinical sources, and sensitive topics get an extra review before publication. The content is for language learning only and is not medical advice.

Question 8

Can I use Medical Voices in a class?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Teachers and trainers are welcome to play episodes and share the free transcripts with learners. Please credit Medical Voices and link to medicalvoices.health. For anything else, contact us.

Question 9

Is there a French version?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Voix Médicales is our companion channel in French, for healthcare professionals and learners working in French — from France and Belgium to Switzerland, Québec and across the French-speaking world.

Question 10

How do I get the free transcript?

Accepted Answer

Open any episode page, enter your email and click the secure link we send. The PDF downloads straight away.

Question 11

What OET band score does Medical Voices target?

Accepted Answer

The clinical vocabulary and dialogue complexity is calibrated at B1–B2 level, corresponding to OET Band B (the minimum required by most regulatory bodies, including the NMC). Learners aiming for Band A will benefit from the language breakdown and quiz sections.

Question 12

Is the dialogue at the same speed as the OET test?

Accepted Answer

The full-speed role-play runs at natural conversational pace — comparable to, or slightly slower than, the OET test audio. The slow-repeat section at 0.9x is a study tool, not representative of test conditions. For test simulation, use only the first listen at full speed.

Question 13

Which episodes are most relevant to OET Listening Part A?

Accepted Answer

All Season 1 episodes (GP consultations, pharmacy, hospital) are directly relevant to Part A, which typically features a healthcare consultation or patient interview. Episodes involving symptom description (Episode 3), medication counselling (Episode 2), and discharge planning are especially high-value.

Question 14

Can I use the transcript PDF during practice?

Accepted Answer

No — the PDF is a study tool for use before and after listening practice, not during. Using it during your practice simulation defeats the purpose.

Question 15

What does "investigation" mean in a clinical context?

Accepted Answer

An investigation is any test or procedure a clinician orders to gather more information about a patient's condition — a blood panel, an X-ray, an MRI. Ordering an investigation does not mean the clinician already knows what's wrong; it means they're checking specific markers before making a decision. This exact distinction is covered in Episode 4, where the term is introduced and used in a hospital admission context.

Question 16

Can you cover specific medications for particular illnesses, like typhoid treatment?

Accepted Answer

Medical Voices focuses on the language and communication patterns used across clinical encounters — how to describe symptoms, understand a diagnosis, follow dosage instructions — rather than disease-specific pharmacology or treatment protocols. Specific medication regimens for particular conditions fall into clinical guidance, which is outside what a language-learning podcast should provide. That said, general pharmacy vocabulary — dosage, side effects, contraindications — is covered in Episode 2 and applies across any medication context.

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