General Interview Skills Flashcards
How do you open the interview?
Greet patient Obtain/clarify name Ask how they'd like to be addressed Introduce yourself by name Clarify your role
What are the three types of questions that you should use in an interview?
Open
Focused
Closed
What are the cardinal features of symptoms?
Site Quality Severity Time course Context Relieving/aggravating factors Associated features
What is site not helpful for?
Shortness of breath
Diarrhoea
Dizziness
What are some symptoms that are useful to qualitatively measure severity?
Nausea Coughing Fatigue Shortness of breath Dizziness
What are the essential components of time course?
Onset and offset
Duration
Temporal profile
Previous episodes
What are the essential components of a past medical history?
Establish context
Past serious illness
Past operations
Hospital admissions
What are some important aspects of a family history?
Genetic component Health of immediate family members If members have died How did they die How patient perceives symptom/condition Any medical conditions in wider family
What are the ranges for BMI?
Less than 18.5 = underweight
- 5-24.9 = normal
- 0-29.9 = overweight
- 0 = obese
What are components of a medication history?
Name Dose Indication Frequency Route Compliance/adherence Side effects and allergies
Why are occupational histories important?
Many symptoms can occur due to occupational exposure
What kind of questions can you ask to start an occupational history?
What do you do?
Are you in work at the moment?
How might you start a social history?
Who do you live with? > Relationships > support systems - who’s been supporting you during this illness?
What are the main points in a smoking history?
Amount
Duration
Symptoms of dependence
Current motivation to quit
What are the principles of an illicit drugs history?
Environment comfortable and private Reinforce confidentiality Signpost and provide rationale Use term "recreational drugs" Ask about route of entry
