Rescheduling an appointment while confirming continuity of care | Learn Spanish in English

Spanish lesson set in a contemporary Madrid everyday setting: At a clinic reception desk, a patient reschedules an appointment while confirming that the next clinician can review the previous notes..

EN → ES / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Rescheduling an appointment while confirming continuity of care to practice Spanish conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

Necesito reprogramar mi cita porque mi reunión se alargó.

neh-seh-SEE-toh reh-proh-grah-MAHR mee SEE-tah POHR-keh mee reh-oo-NYOHN seh ah-lar-GOH. I need to reschedule my appointment because my meeting ran long.
B

Podemos buscar otro horario, según qué profesional esté disponible.

poh-DEH-mohs boos-KAHR OH-troh oh-RAH-ryoh, seh-GOON keh proh-feh-syoh-NAHL es-TEH dee-spoh-NEE-bleh. We can look for another slot, depending on which practitioner is free.
A

Preferiría algo pronto, si es posible.

preh-feh-ree-AH AL-goh PROHN-toh, see es poh-SEE-bleh. I would prefer something soon, if possible.
B

La primera disponibilidad es con otro profesional del mismo equipo.

lah pree-MEH-rah dee-spoh-nee-bee-lee-DAHD es kohn OH-troh proh-feh-syoh-NAHL del MEEZ-moh eh-KEE-poh. The earliest opening is with another clinician on the same team.
A

Me parece bien si puede consultar mis notas de la última consulta.

meh pah-REH-seh BYEHN see PWEH-deh kohn-sool-TAHR mees NOH-tahs deh lah OOL-tee-mah kohn-SOOL-tah. That works if they can see my notes from the last visit.
B

Puede acceder al historial, aunque quizá todavía tenga que hacerme algunas preguntas.

PWEH-deh ahk-seh-DEHR ahl ees-toh-RYAHL, OWN-keh kee-SAH toh-dah-VEE-ah TEN-gah keh ah-SEHR-meh ahl-GOO-nahs preh-GOON-tahs. They can access the record, though they may still ask a few questions.
A

Está bien, siempre que tenga los antecedentes.

es-TAH BYEHN, SYEM-preh keh TEN-gah lohs ahn-teh-seh-DEN-tehs. That is fine, as long as they have the background.
B

Puedo añadir una nota para que el profesional revise tu historial antes de la cita.

PWEH-doh ahn-yah-DEER OO-nah NOH-tah PAH-rah keh el proh-feh-syoh-NAHL reh-BEE-seh too ees-toh-RYAHL AHN-tehs deh lah SEE-tah. I can add a note asking them to review your record before the appointment.

Word by Word

Necesito ‘Necesito’ expresses the speaker’s need in ‘Necesito reprogramar mi cita’. It introduces the action that is needed, here with the infinitive ‘reprogramar’. A reusable pattern is ‘Necesito’ followed by an infinitive when stating what you need to do.
reprogramar ‘Reprogramar’ means to reschedule the appointment in ‘Necesito reprogramar mi cita’. It names the action that follows the need expressed by ‘Necesito’. The same pattern can be used with an appointment or another scheduled activity that must be moved.
mi ‘Mi’ identifies the appointment as belonging to the speaker in ‘mi cita’. It comes directly before the singular noun it describes. The same possessive pattern is used with other singular things belonging to the speaker.
cita ‘Cita’ means appointment in ‘mi cita’, specifically the appointment the speaker wants to reschedule. It is used with a possessive determiner here. In a clinic, ‘cita’ can refer to a scheduled visit.
porque ‘Porque’ introduces the reason for rescheduling in ‘porque mi reunión se alargó’. It connects the main action with the explanation for it. Use ‘porque’ before a clause that gives a reason.
reunión ‘Reunión’ means meeting in ‘mi reunión se alargó’. The meeting is the event that caused the appointment to need rescheduling. With ‘mi’, it identifies the speaker’s meeting.
se In ‘mi reunión se alargó’, ‘se’ is part of the expression describing the meeting as extending. It helps present the change as something that happened to the meeting itself. Keep it with ‘se alargó’ when using this exact expression.
alargó ‘Alargó’ says that the meeting ran long in ‘mi reunión se alargó’. Together with ‘se’, it describes the meeting extending beyond the expected length. ‘La reunión se alargó’ is a reusable pattern for saying that a meeting lasted longer than expected.
Podemos ‘Podemos’ expresses the clinic’s ability or offer in ‘Podemos buscar otro horario’. It presents the search as something the speaker and the clinic can do. A useful pattern is ‘Podemos’ followed by an infinitive to offer an action.
buscar ‘Buscar’ means to look for in ‘Podemos buscar otro horario’. It is the action that the clinic offers to carry out. It commonly appears before the thing being sought, as in ‘buscar otro horario’.
otro ‘Otro’ means another in ‘otro horario’, referring to a different available time slot. It comes before the noun it describes. Use this pattern when proposing a different option of the same general kind.
horario ‘Horario’ means a time slot or scheduled time in ‘otro horario’. It is the alternative appointment time the receptionist will look for. In this context, ‘buscar otro horario’ is a practical way to ask about a different appointment time.
según ‘Según’ introduces the factor on which the available option depends in ‘según qué profesional esté disponible’. It means depending on or according to what follows. Use it to connect an outcome with the information that determines it.
qué ‘Qué’ identifies which professional is relevant in ‘qué profesional esté disponible’. Its accent marks the selection of a particular person or option. The reusable pattern here is ‘según qué’ followed by the noun and the condition that determines the choice.
profesional ‘Profesional’ refers to the practitioner or clinician in ‘qué profesional esté disponible’. It is the person whose availability determines the possible time slot. In this clinic context, it can be used without naming a particular specialty.
esté ‘Esté’ describes the professional’s availability within ‘qué profesional esté disponible’. It completes the condition that determines which practitioner can be selected. Keep it in the pattern ‘qué profesional esté disponible’ when asking which practitioner is free.
disponible ‘Disponible’ means available in ‘qué profesional esté disponible’. It describes whether the practitioner can take the appointment. It commonly follows a form of ‘estar’ when talking about a person’s availability.
Preferiría ‘Preferiría’ politely expresses the speaker’s preference in ‘Preferiría algo pronto’. It makes the request less direct while still stating what the speaker wants. A useful pattern is ‘Preferiría’ followed by the preferred option.
algo ‘Algo’ means something in ‘algo pronto’, referring to an appointment time that is soon. It leaves the exact time unspecified. Use ‘algo’ when the desired thing is not identified more precisely.
pronto ‘Pronto’ means soon in ‘algo pronto’. It specifies that the requested option should be in the near future. In this context, it modifies the unspecified appointment option ‘algo’.
si ‘Si’ introduces the condition in ‘si es posible’. It means if and makes the request dependent on whether it can be arranged. Use ‘si’ to make a request conditional.
es ‘Es’ states the condition in ‘si es posible’: whether the requested option is possible. It links the subject understood from the context with ‘posible’. The pattern ‘si es posible’ is a common polite way to qualify a request.
posible ‘Posible’ means possible in ‘si es posible’. It indicates that the preferred appointment is requested only if the clinic can arrange it. ‘Si es posible’ can be used after many polite requests.
La ‘La’ marks ‘disponibilidad’ as the specific feminine noun being identified in ‘La primera disponibilidad’. It appears before the noun and its description. Here it introduces the earliest available opening.
primera ‘Primera’ identifies the earliest or first availability in ‘La primera disponibilidad’. It describes which opening the receptionist is referring to. It comes before the noun ‘disponibilidad’ in this expression.
disponibilidad ‘Disponibilidad’ means an available opening or availability in ‘La primera disponibilidad’. It refers to the first appointment option that can be offered. In a scheduling conversation, it is used to talk about an opening without giving a specific time.
con ‘Con’ introduces the clinician associated with the opening in ‘es con otro profesional’. It means with in this scheduling context. Use ‘con’ when identifying the professional or person for whom an appointment is arranged.
del ‘Del’ means of the in ‘del mismo equipo’. It is the combined form used before the masculine singular noun ‘equipo’. The expression ‘del mismo equipo’ identifies membership in the same team.
mismo ‘Mismo’ emphasizes that the team is the same one in ‘del mismo equipo’. It comes before the noun it describes. This pattern is useful when confirming that two people or things belong to the same group.
equipo ‘Equipo’ means team in ‘del mismo equipo’. It identifies the group shared by the new clinician and the clinician from the previous visit. The phrase ‘del mismo equipo’ supports the idea of continuity within the clinic.
Me ‘Me’ marks the speaker as the person to whom the situation seems acceptable in ‘Me parece bien’. It works with ‘parece’ to express the speaker’s evaluation. Use ‘Me parece bien’ to say that a proposed arrangement works for you.
parece ‘Parece’ contributes the idea of seeming in ‘Me parece bien’. Together, ‘Me parece bien’ means that the speaker considers the proposal acceptable. This expression is useful when agreeing to an option.
bien ‘Bien’ means well or fine in ‘Me parece bien’, where it shows approval of the proposed appointment. It completes the expression rather than describing a separate object. ‘Me parece bien’ is a reusable way to accept a suggestion.
puede ‘Puede’ expresses that the clinician can consult the speaker’s notes in ‘si puede consultar mis notas’. The subject is understood from the clinic context. A useful pattern is ‘puede’ followed by an infinitive to describe someone’s ability or permission to do something.
consultar ‘Consultar’ means to consult or look at in ‘puede consultar mis notas’. It describes the clinician reviewing the notes from the previous visit. It is followed here by the material being consulted, ‘mis notas’.
mis ‘Mis’ identifies the notes as belonging to the speaker in ‘mis notas’. It comes before the plural noun it describes. The same possessive pattern is used with several things belonging to the speaker.
notas ‘Notas’ means notes in ‘mis notas’, referring to the notes from the speaker’s previous visit. They are the information the next clinician should be able to consult. In this context, the plural form refers to the set of notes rather than one note.
de ‘De’ links ‘notas’ to the visit they come from in ‘notas de la última consulta’. It means from or of in this context. Use ‘de’ to identify the source or association of information.
última ‘Última’ identifies the most recent visit in ‘la última consulta’. It specifies which consultation the notes are from. It comes before the noun ‘consulta’ in this phrase.
consulta ‘Consulta’ means consultation or clinic visit in ‘la última consulta’. It identifies the previous appointment associated with the notes. In this setting, it refers to a visit with a clinician.
acceder ‘Acceder’ means to access in ‘Puede acceder al historial’. It describes entering or consulting the patient record. It is followed by ‘al historial’, which identifies what can be accessed.
al ‘Al’ means to the in ‘acceder al historial’. It is the combined form used before the masculine singular noun ‘historial’. The pattern ‘acceder al’ introduces the record or resource being accessed.
historial ‘Historial’ means the record or medical history in ‘al historial’. Here it is the patient information that the clinician can access. In a clinic, ‘acceder al historial’ is a useful expression for accessing a patient’s record.
aunque ‘Aunque’ introduces a limitation or qualification in ‘aunque quizá todavía tenga que hacerme algunas preguntas’. The record can be accessed, but the clinician may still need more information. Use ‘aunque’ to connect a main statement with a contrasting qualification.
quizá ‘Quizá’ introduces uncertainty in ‘quizá todavía tenga que hacerme algunas preguntas’. It presents the questions as possible rather than certain. Use it before a clause when describing something that may happen.
todavía ‘Todavía’ means still in ‘todavía tenga que hacerme algunas preguntas’. It shows that questions may remain necessary even after the clinician accesses the record. It is useful for saying that a situation continues or an action remains necessary.
tenga ‘Tenga’ contributes the idea of having to in ‘tenga que hacerme algunas preguntas’. Together with ‘que’ and the infinitive, it says that the clinician may still need to ask questions. Keep the full pattern ‘tenga que’ before the action that remains necessary.
que In ‘tenga que hacerme algunas preguntas’, ‘que’ connects the form expressing necessity with the action that must be done. It is part of the pattern ‘tener que’ followed by an infinitive. Here it leads into ‘hacerme algunas preguntas’.
hacerme ‘Hacerme’ means ask me in ‘hacerme algunas preguntas’. It combines the action ‘hacer’ with ‘me’, showing that the speaker receives the questions. The reusable pattern is ‘hacerme’ followed by ‘preguntas’ when someone asks the speaker questions.
algunas ‘Algunas’ limits the questions to some or a few in ‘algunas preguntas’. It comes before the plural noun it describes. Use it when referring to an unspecified but limited number of items.
preguntas ‘Preguntas’ means questions in ‘hacerme algunas preguntas’. These are additional questions the clinician may ask after accessing the record. The phrase ‘hacerme algunas preguntas’ is useful when someone needs further information from you.
Está ‘Está’ helps say that the situation is acceptable in ‘Está bien’. Together, ‘Está bien’ means that the speaker is fine with the arrangement. This expression can be used to accept a proposal or reassure someone.
siempre In ‘siempre que tenga los antecedentes’, ‘siempre’ contributes the condition meaning as long as, rather than simply always. The full expression says that the arrangement is acceptable provided the clinician has the background information. Keep ‘siempre que’ together when stating this kind of requirement.
los ‘Los’ identifies ‘antecedentes’ as the specific background information being discussed in ‘los antecedentes’. It comes before the plural noun. Here it refers to the relevant information from the patient’s previous care.
antecedentes ‘Antecedentes’ means the relevant background information in ‘tenga los antecedentes’. In this dialogue, it is the information the next clinician needs in order to understand the patient’s situation. It commonly appears with ‘tener’ when saying that someone has the necessary background.
Puedo ‘Puedo’ expresses the receptionist’s ability and offer in ‘Puedo añadir una nota’. It presents adding the note as an action the speaker can take. A useful pattern is ‘Puedo’ followed by an infinitive when offering to do something.
añadir ‘Añadir’ means to add in ‘Puedo añadir una nota’. It describes putting an additional note into the patient’s record or appointment information. It is followed here by the thing being added, ‘una nota’.
una ‘Una’ introduces one unspecified note in ‘una nota’. It comes before the singular feminine noun ‘nota’. Use this pattern when mentioning a single item that has not yet been identified.
nota ‘Nota’ means note in ‘Puedo añadir una nota’. It is the written message the receptionist can add for the clinician. In this context, the note gives an instruction connected with the upcoming appointment.
para ‘Para’ introduces the purpose of the note in ‘para que el profesional revise tu historial’. It shows what the note is intended to achieve. The pattern ‘para que’ introduces a clause describing the intended action.
el ‘El’ identifies ‘profesional’ as the clinician who should review the record in ‘el profesional revise tu historial’. It comes before the masculine singular noun. Here it points to the clinician who will handle the appointment.
revise ‘Revise’ describes the intended review of the patient’s record in ‘para que el profesional revise tu historial’. It is the action the note asks the clinician to carry out before the appointment. Keep it in the purpose pattern ‘para que el profesional revise’.
tu ‘Tu’ identifies the historial as belonging to the patient in ‘tu historial’. It comes before the singular noun it describes. In this clinic conversation, it refers to the person’s own patient record.
antes ‘Antes’ means before in ‘antes de la cita’. It places the review earlier than the appointment. The reusable pattern is ‘antes de’ followed by the event that must come later.

Grammar Points

siempre que + subjuntivo

Siempre que el profesional esté disponible, podemos buscar otro horario.

SYEM-preh keh el proh-feh-syoh-NAHL es-TEH dee-spoh-NEE-bleh, poh-DEH-mohs boos-KAHR OH-troh oh-RAH-ryoh.

As long as the practitioner is available, we can look for another time slot.

Siempre que introduces a condition and normally takes the subjunctive: esté.

para que + subjuntivo

Añadir una nota para que el profesional revise las notas.

ahn-yah-DEER OO-nah NOH-tah PAH-rah keh el proh-feh-syoh-NAHL reh-BEE-seh lahs NOH-tahs.

Add a note so that the practitioner reviews the notes.

Para que introduces a purpose clause and requires the subjunctive: revise.

Spanish Vocabulary

buscar verb
boos-KAHR to look for
cita noun
SEE-tah appointment
esté verb
es-TEH is; may be
horario noun
oh-RAH-ryoh time slot
necesito verb
neh-seh-SEE-toh I need
otro det
OH-troh another
podemos verb
poh-DEH-mohs we can
profesional noun
proh-feh-syoh-NAHL practitioner; clinician
reprogramar verb
reh-proh-grah-MAHR to reschedule
reunión noun
reh-oo-NYOHN meeting
se alargó verb
seh ah-lar-GOH ran long
según prep
seh-GOON depending on; according to

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

I would prefer something soon, if possible.

Show AnswerPreferiría algo pronto, si es posible.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

I need

Show Answernecesito

to look for

Show Answerbuscar

time slot

Show Answerhorario

meeting

Show Answerreunión