Medical interview and history

[booswim542]

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I am just looking for some advice in starting a medical interview. What is the best way to start an interview with a patient you don't know who has come into your office with just a cold, or something that isn't too severe. Do you make small talk and "establish raport"? Or do you just dive right in and ask what brought them in?

 

[Crixivan]

I am just looking for some advice in starting a medical interview. What is the best way to start an interview with a patient you don't know who has come into your office with just a cold, or something that isn't too severe. Do you make small talk and "establish raport"? Or do you just dive right in and ask what brought them in?

Just introduce yourself and say something like, "What brings you in today?"

Chances are that they've been waiting for a while and aren't in the mood to chit chat since you're not familiar. You can build rapport throughout the interview.

With an established pt, opening small talk might be more appropriate.

 

[TMP-SMX]

Open-ended is all you need to know. The patient will do the work for you. Other than that, keep in mind what you need to get from them in the history of present illness.

 

[mjl1717]

Open-ended is all you need to know. The patient will do the work for you. Other than that, keep in mind what you need to get from them in the history of present illness.

True, and this art of communication/transcribing as difficult as it can be.. Ideally you would like this H.P.I and H&P to be in a smooth story like form done in maybe 15 minutes.. For example if someone over in Europe listens to your H&P they know EXACTLY what the heck your talking about!