FROM CLINICAL NARRATIVE TO PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION: USING CASE REPORTS IN MEDICAL ENGLISH EDUCATION

Abstract

The development of professional communication skills has become a central objective of Medical English instruction in contemporary international medical education. One of the most effective ways to bridge the gap between general language proficiency and professional medical communication is the integration of authentic clinical discourse into language teaching. This article explores the pedagogical potential of clinical case reports as a tool for developing professional English competence among medical students. Drawing on teaching practice at Tashkent State Medical University, the study examines how clinical narratives support terminology acquisition, discourse organization, and clinical reasoning in English-medium instruction. Clinical case reports expose students to authentic patterns of medical communication, including patient history presentation, symptom description, diagnostic interpretation, and treatment explanation. The findings indicate that systematic engagement with case-based texts enhances students’ ability to interpret medical information, structure professional speech, and participate confidently in academic and clinical discussions. The study argues that clinical case reports function not only as reading materials but also as models of professional thinking and communication, facilitating the transition from language learning to professional practice in medical education.