Learn Hardcore Chinese: yīshēng hé hùshi zài yīyuàn zhàogù tā, zhàogù de hěn rènzhēn. - The doctor and the nurse take care of him in the hospital, and they do it very attentively.

Because the sentence uses the degree-complement pattern with 得. When the verb has an object (他), you can’t place the object between the verb and 得, so you use the pattern: V + O，V + 得 + complement. Hence: 照顾他，照顾得很认真.

Alternatives:
- 对他照顾得很周到/很好 (use 对
  - object)
- 把他照顾得很好 (use 把; more natural with result-like adjectives such as 好/周到)

What does 得 (de) do here, and how is it different from 的 (de) and 地 (de)?

得 links a verb/adjective to a degree/result comment: 照顾得很认真. It’s pronounced neutral tone.

的: links a modifier to a noun (adjectival): 认真的护士
地: turns an adjective/adverbial into a manner adverb: 认真地照顾
得: links verb/adjective to a complement of degree/result: 照顾得很认真

Does 很 really mean “very” here? Can I omit it?

In degree complements, 很 often functions as a natural-sounding degree marker and often does mean “quite/very.” You can say 照顾得认真, but it may sound a bit bare; 照顾得很认真 is more idiomatic. If you truly want to downplay the degree, you could use 挺/比较 or omit 很, depending on context.

Is 在 here a location preposition or the progressive marker?

It’s the location preposition “at/in.” The structure is: Subject + 在 + Place + Verb. Progressive 在 comes directly before the verb phrase (e.g., 在照顾他). Here we have 在医院 (at the hospital) + 照顾.

Can I avoid repeating 照顾 by using 地?

Yes: 医生和护士在医院认真地照顾他. Both are correct:

V + 得 + complement (your sentence) is especially common in speech when commenting on degree.
Adj + 地 + V is also natural and slightly more formal/written.

Do I need 们 to show plural in 医生和护士?

No. Chinese nouns are number-neutral. 医生和护士 can mean one or more; context decides. 医生们/护士们 is possible to emphasize “the group,” but it often sounds heavy or overly specific.

Where would I put 了 if I want to show it happened in the past?

Two common options:

Mark the verb: 昨天医生和护士在医院照顾了他，照顾得很认真。
Sentence-final (change-of-state/result nuance, often with 把): 医生和护士在医院把他照顾得很好了。 Keep the 得-complement clause intact; don’t insert 了 between 照顾 and 得.

How do I pronounce 护士? Is it hùshì or hùshi?

Standardly hùshi: the second syllable is a neutral tone in this word. The character 士 is shì in isolation, but it’s neutralized here.

Does 他 (tā) specifically mean “he,” or could it be “she”?

In speech, 他/她/它 are all pronounced tā, so gender isn’t audible. In writing, 他 is usually “he” or generic “they/he,” 她 is “she,” and 它 is “it.” This sentence uses the generic written 他.

Why is there a comma between the two parts?

Chinese often uses a comma to link closely related clauses. The second clause comments on the manner/degree of the first action: “… took care of him, [and they] did so very conscientiously.”

Can I use 跟 instead of 和 in 医生和护士?

Yes, 医生跟护士 is fine in everyday speech. 和 is the default written/neutral coordinator for nouns; 跟 is slightly more colloquial. Neither one should be used to link whole clauses; use 而且/并且/并 for that.

Is 照顾 a separable verb (离合词)? Is that why it’s repeated?

No. 照顾 is not a classic separable verb. The repetition here is due to the V + 得 + complement rule with an object, not because 照顾 must split like 见面/跳舞 do.

Can I say 对他照顾得很认真?

Yes. 对他 highlights the recipient/target: 医生和护士在医院对他照顾得很周到/很认真. Using 对 is common with verbs of attitude/behavior toward someone.

Is 在医院里 better than 在医院?

Both are fine. 在医院里 explicitly emphasizes “inside the hospital”; 在医院 is the default and equally natural. You can also topicalize the place: 在医院，医生和护士…

Could I use 被 to focus on the person receiving care?

Yes: 他在医院被医生和护士照顾，照顾得很认真。 This frames him as the topic/patient; it’s grammatical and natural when you want to foreground him.

What other words could replace 认真 here, and how would the nuance change?

周到/细致: thorough, considerate (quality/coverage)
细心/用心: careful, attentive (carefulness/intent)
很好: very good (overall evaluation) Examples: 照顾得很周到/很细心/很好.