I'm looking for a good list of questions to ask my patients to help differentiate what their main complaint is

Answer 1

you can ask them what is known as review of systems, good luck

Answer 2

The patients seem to be stressed enough just to get to the Dr's office, there is the reception desk the forms to fill out, that generally cover the questions what the problem is, that they came to see the Dr about. and then there are the fees, that are usually quite high, and if the patient has no insurance it makes for a very stressful office visit. Now what about a list of questions on: what did you want to differentiate ?

Answer 3

You know, I think this question demonstrates the communication gap between doctor and patient. Unless it's a broken arm, the patient doesn't have a main complaint.

I always go in to the doctor with a long list of symptoms. I try to give my doctor as much info as possible, so he can know what's going on with my health in general. I do NOT want him to fix all of my symptoms. I want him to listen.

Maybe several symptoms all point to something obvious to him... like gas, cramping, constipation, and diarrhea would suggest Irritable Bowel Syndrome, right? (I don't actually have IBS, it's an example.)

But the doctor always cuts me off before I can point out interlocking symptoms. "Gas? Have you been eating beans or something? Okay, take one of those over-the-counter anti-gas remedies from a drugstore. Next patient!"

This is infuriating, because it just treats a symptom, not the main problem. I can guarantee you that the patients who come to you have already been treating their symptoms at home, and it hasn't worked.

I've had numerous experiences where ***various different*** doctors overlooked obvious problems. I've fallen asleep during an exam while crying and complaining about fatigue, and the guy told me to exercise, not that I actually had depression. Stuff like that.

We patients don't want you to fix ALL of our problems. We want you to listen, use your expensive medical diagnosis training like the doctors on TV, and tell us what's wrong. THEN fix it.

Answer 4

ask simple questions that pinpoint exactly where the problem is

if it's for nursing-there is a basic assesment you do on all of your patients. starting from head to toe.

ask them things like

-are you have pain? how severe (scale of 1-10)? where is the pain located?

-are you having difficulty breathing? when does it hurt most (breathing in or out, constant pain)?

-feelings of nausea or vomiting? when (all the time,after eating certain foods,etc)?

are you taking any medications? and if yes-which ones....

these questions will help you to pinpoint what the problem is. process of elmination works great too...

Answer 5

First, don't ask a nurse. They only ask what a doctor wants them to. Here are things that real medical professionals use (paramedics & EMT's) since they don't have to have a doctor look over their shoulder for everything.
SAMPLE
S-Signs/Symptoms
A-Allergies
M-Medications
P-Past medical history
L-Last oral intake
E-Events leading up to the complaint

OPQRST
O-Onset (what were you doing when this started)
P-Provocation (what makes it worse)
Q-Quality (what is it like, severe/ache, etc.)
R-Radiation (does the pain go anywhere)
S-Severity (scale of 1-10)
T-Time of onset (when did this start)

Hope that helps

Answer 6

Just asked what is bothing them most of us want to get in and out of dr office or er as fast as possable

Answer 7

I always like a doctor that just said-give me your grocery list & I'll take it from there.

Answer 8

Shouldn't u already learnt that in med school @ in ur practice?

Answer 9

Are you a doctor?
Nurse?
Paramedic?
EMT?

that would help...