W3 WWHAM Flashcards
What does WWHAM stand for?
W= Who is the medicine for?
W= What are the symptoms?
H= How long have the symptoms been present?
A= What action has been taken?
M= What medication is the patient taking?
Limitations to WWHAM? (5)
Failing to consider;
- Family history
- Previous symptoms
- General appearance
- Social factors
- Lifestyle factors
What are the 20 marks in OSCEs?
Introduction as pharmacist and by name 2.5 marks Offering assistance. 2.5
Who for? 2.5
What symptoms? 2.5
How long? 2.5
Action taken? 2.5
Medication? 2.5
Allergies? 2.5
What are some red flags when following WWHAM? (7)
- Long duration of symptoms
- Recurring or worsening problem
- Severe symptoms (depends on the condition)
- Shortness of breath, tightness of chest, wheezing
- Blood / bleeding
- Suspected link with medication
- Recently returned from travels
Examples of deeper questions:
- Tell me why you have come to the pharmacy today
- Explain the problem to me …and who is it for?
- Describe your symptoms to me…and how long have you had these?
- Ideas: Do you have any ideas about what might have caused it?
- Concerns: Is there anything in particular that is worrying you? Expectations:
Have you had any thoughts on what might be the best approach? Have you
tried anything already? - What other medicines do you take?
ENCORE framework
- Explore
- No medication?
- Care
- Observe
- Refer
- Explain
AS METHOD
- Age/appearance
- Self or someone else
- Medication
- Extra medicines
- Time persisting
- History
- Other symptoms
- Danger symptoms
SIT DOWN SIR framework
- Site or location?
- Intensity or severity?
- Type or nature?
- Duration?
- Onset?
- With? (Other symptoms)
- N annoyed or aggravated by?
- Spread or radiation?
- Incidence or frequency pattern?
- Relieved by?
What is codeine used for?
Codeine can be bought as a preparation mixture with paracetamol (Co-codamol). Used as a painkiller to treat aches and pains, inc headaches and muscular pain.
Which of the following is considered a
weakness of the WWHAM method?
1. Fails to consider family history
2. Too difficult to remember
3. Doesn’t ask how long a patient has had symptoms
=Fails to consider family history
Asking deeper questions:
What are the 2 frameworks?
ICE:
Exploring a person’s IDEAS, CONCERNS and
EXPECTATIONS
TED:
For open questions think about using the following words:
TELL
EXPLAIN
DESCRIBE
What are the 3 main ways to communicate with patients?
- Listening
- Asking questions to gather information
- Working with patients / 3rd party
Others:
* Knowing about a lot of complaints / conditions
* Considering the range of treatment options
* Having good product knowledge
* Knowing the evidence base
* Giving general and lifestyle advice
