Medical History Taking Study Guide

NOTE: This checklist summarizes concepts presented elsewhere in the course. Refer to the lecture slides and handouts for additional detail.

General Considerations

Remember that there are two halves to each interview, patient-centered and physician-centered.

Outline for the interview:

• The Opening
  • Chief Complaint(s) (CC) [1]
• History of Present Illness (HPI)
  • Primary [1]
  • Secondary (focused ROS)
  • Tertiary (focused PMH)
• Review of Systems (ROS)
• Past Medical History (PMH)

Opening the Interview

It is important to begin each medical interview with a patient-centered approach. [2] [p10] [3]

1. Set the Stage
   • Welcome the patient - ensure comfort and privacy
   • Know and use the patient's name - introduce and identify yourself
2. Set the Agenda
   • Use open-ended questions initially
   • Negotiate a list of all issues - avoid detail! [4]
     • Chief complaint(s) and other concerns
     • Specific requests (i.e. medication refills)
   • Clarify the patient's expectations for this visit - ask the patient "Why now?"
3. Elicit the Patient's Story
   • Return to open-ended questions directed at the major problem(s)
   • Encourage with silence, nonverbal cues, and verbal cues
   • Focus by paraphrasing and summarizing
4. Make the Transition
   • Summarize the interview up to that point
   • Verbalize your intention to make a transition to the physician-centered interview

History of Present Illness

Primary History

You should always begin the physician-centered phase of the interview with "WH" questions (where? what? when?) directed at the chief complaint(s). Build on the information the patient has already given you. Flesh out areas of the story you don't fully understand. Try to quantify whenever possible (pain on a scale of 1 to 10, number of days instead of "a while," etc.). Be as specific as possible and try to record what the patient says accurately, without interpretation. Address as many of these details as appropriate: [p3]

1. Location
2. Radiation
3. Quality
4. Quantity
5. Duration
6. Frequency
7. Aggravating Factors
8. Relieving Factors
9. Associated Symptoms
10. Effect on Function

Secondary History

The secondary history expands on the primary history, especially any associated symptoms. It is useful to think of the secondary history as a focused review of systems (see below). These questions often bring out information that supports a certain diagnosis or helps you gauge the severity of the disorder. Unlike the primary history, a certain amount of interpretation (and experience) is necessary. Here are some examples:

Headache

Ask about nausea and vomiting.

Ask about visual changes.

Ask about the relationship with stress, work, week-ends, and emotions.

Ear Problems

Ask about hearing loss or ringing in the ears.

Ask about dizziness or vertigo.

Tertiary History

The tertiary history brings in elements of the past medical history (see below) that have direct bearing on the patient's condition. By the time you get to the tertiary history you may already have a good idea of what might be going on. (This will be fine tuned by the physical exam.) Here are some examples:

Any HEENT or Chest Disorder

Does the patient smoke? How much? How long?

For children, does someone smoke in the home?

Breast Problems

Is there a family history of breast cancer?

Abdominal Pain

Does the patient smoke? How much? How long?

How much alcohol does the patient consume?

Prior surgery? Has the appendix been removed?

Chest Pain

Does the patient smoke? How much? How long?

Did the patient's parents die of a heart attack? At what ages?

Review of Systems

The review of systems is just that, a series of questions grouped by organ system including: [p5]

1. General/Constitutional
2. Skin/Breast
3. Eyes/Ears/Nose/Mouth/Throat
4. Cardiovascular
5. Respiratory
6. Gastrointestinal
7. Genitourinary
8. Musculoskeletal
9. Neurologic/Psychiatric
10. Allergic/Immunologic/Lymphatic/Endocrine

Past Medical History

The past medical history is essentially background information related to the patient's health and well being. A brief past medical (and social) history often includes these elements: [p4]

1. Allergies and Reactions to Drugs (What happened?)
2. Current Medications (Including "Over-the-Counter")
3. Medical/Psychiatric Illnesses (Diabetes, Hypertension, Depression, etc.)
4. Surgeries/Injuries/Hospitalizations (Appendectomy, Car Accident, etc.)
5. Immunizations
6. Tobacco/Alcohol/Drug Use
7. Reproductive Status for Females
   • Last Menstrual Period
   • Last Pelvic Exam/Pap Smear
   • Pregnancies/Births/Contraception
8. Birth History/Developmental Milestones for Children
9. Marital/Family Status
10. Occupation/Exposures

Notes

1. A minimal interview consists of the chief complaint and primary history of present illness. The other elements may be selectively omitted as circumstances dictate. For example, a complete review of systems is often not necessary or desirable in the context of a focused evaluation.
2. Adapted from workshop materials provided by Robert C. Smith, MD - used with permission.
3. Page numbers refer to Barbara Bates' A Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking, Sixth Edition , published by Lippincott in 1995.
4. It is extremely important to avoid detail (where, what, when) questions at this point. You should feel comfortable that all major issues are identified before proceeding. Remember that the patient has control of the patient-centered interview.