Chapter 1: The Interviewing Process Flashcards
The History and Interviewing Process
“Build” a history rather than “take” one because you and your patient are involved in a joint effort.
Context of that relationship expressed in emotional, physical, and ethical terms.
Approaches to the structure of a history with adaptations suggested for age, children, adolescents, gender, pregnant patients, older adults, and patients with disabilities.
The history is vital to the appropriate interpretation of the physical examination.
Developing a Relationship and Effective Communication With the Patient
To prevent misinterpretations/misperceptions, you must make every effort to sense the world of the patient as the patient sees it.
Establishing a positive patient relationship depends on communication built on:
Courtesy
Comfort
Connection
Confirmation
Confidentiality
Enhancing Patient Responses
Open-ended question
Allows patient discretion about the extent of an answer
Direct question
Seeks specific information
Leading question
May limit the information provided to what the patient thinks you want to know
If the patient does not understand what you are asking, remember to:
Facilitate: Encourage your patient to say more.
Reflect: Repeat what you have heard.
Clarify: Ask “What do you mean?”
Empathize: Show understanding and acceptance.
Confront: Address disturbing patient behavior.
Interpret: Repeat what you have heard to confirm the patient’s meaning.
Potential Barriers to Communication
Curiosity about you
Anxiety
Silence
Depression
Crying/compassionate moments
Physical intimacy
Emotional intimacy
Seduction
Anger
Avoidance
Financial considerations
Patient History and Setting for the Interview
The history is built on the patient’s perspective, not yours.
The setting requires:
Comfort for all involved
Removal of physical barriers
Unobtrusive access to clock
Maintaining eye contact
Using a conversational tone
Building the History
Introduce yourself.
Address patient properly.
Make eye contact.
Proceed at a reasonable pace.
Listen.
Do not interrupt.
Clarify responses with where, when, what, how, and why questions.
Review with the patient what you have heard.
Approaching Sensitive Issues
Provide privacy.
Do not waffle.
Do not apologize for asking questions.
Do not preach.
Do not use medical jargon.
Do not push too hard.
sensitive issues
Alcohol and drug use
Screen to find out if a problem exists: CAGE, CRAFT, TACE.
Intimate partner violence (IPV)
When IPV is detected, child abuse should be considered.
HITS
Spirituality
FICA
Sexuality and gender identity
Use “gender-neutral” language.
Structure and Outline of the History
The identifiers: name, date, time, age, gender identity, race, source of information, and referral source
Chief concern (CC)
History of present illness/problem (HPI)
Past medical history (PMH)
Family history (FH)
Personal and social history (PSH)
Review of systems (ROS)
General Constitutional Symptoms
Pain
Fever
Chills
Malaise
Fatigue
Night sweats
Sleep patterns
Weight
Average
Preferred
Present
Change
Skin, Hair, and Nails
Rash, eruption, itching
Pigmentation or texture change
Excessive sweating
Abnormal nail or hair growth
Head and Neck: General
Headaches
Dizziness
Syncope
Head injuries
Concussions
Loss of consciousness
Head and Neck: Eyes
Acuity
Blurring
Diplopia
Photophobia
Pain
Vision changes
Glaucoma
Eye medications
Trauma
Head and Neck: Ears and Nose
Ears:
Hearing loss
Pain
Discharge
Tinnitus
Vertigo
Infections
nose:
Sense of smell
Frequency of colds
Obstruction
Epistaxis
Postnasal discharge
Sinus pain
