History taking tips.

History taking tips! 

An introduction to clinical experience

either buy browse for surgery* and *Macleod/bedside for medicine* or keep it in phone for guide during history taking....

Make your history taking and presenting skills strong

Learn to confidently yet softly talk to patients

Buy *TENDON HAMMER, small INCH TAPE, SMALL TORCH, STETHOSCOPE* 

(no one told us so make sure you buy these things especially for medicine ward and always keep them in bag)

Tip: never go to an opposite gender patient alone.... both you and they won't be comfortable..bring a friend or make sure their attendant is present

Try to small talk with patient if you feel that it would make the patient comfortable but don't let him/her get off track...

Always let the patient speak first so they can tell u everything about their illness

if they get off track and start telling you random facts and stories then ask them leading questions so that you can find the relevant history of the disease

 *When done always say THANKYOU and ALLAH HAFIZ to patient* 

When presenting history make sure you start with personal profile.

In presenting complaint start with

"MY PATIENT WAS IN HER/HIS USUAL STATE OF HEALTH ____DAYS/MONTHS AGO WHEN SHE STARTED FEELING PAIN etc"

Remember if you have free time in ward or class ends early or teacher is late... First go to the ward and takes at least one history... compile it and discuss with your friend group...after that you can go on and chill, sit in cafe, take pictures whatever but *HISTORY FIRST* 

Remember at the end of ward there will be ward test.... both history and examination stations are in it....so make notes during class when the teacher/surgeon/ house officer/ and especially PGs tell you an important point or tip

Hospital wards are the best time of 3rd year....new learning chances and of course fun with friends so relax and enjoy

Best of luck for 3rd year

Thanking our contributor for her timely guidance!

Contributed by:  Zainab Tasawar 

Edited by: Imad Naeem