General questions to ask the patient Tell me what seems to be the problem.

. How long have you been unwell? When did the symptoms start? Not What brought you here? History of presenting complaint If the history of the presenting complaint includes pain, ask about it using the mnemonic SOCRATES Site - where exactly is this pain? Onset - when did the pain start, did it start suddenly or gradually? Character - describe the pain - sharp? knife-like? gripping? vice-like? burning? crushing? Radiation - does the pain spread anywhere? To the arm, jaw, groin etc? Associations - is the pain accompanied by any other features? Timing - does the pain vary in intensity during the day? Exacerbating and relieving factors - does anything make the pain better or worse? Severity - does the pain interfere with daily activities or with sleep? Past Medical History General question: Have you suffered from any previous illness? Medical Ask about childhood illness and immunization Have you had TB or whooping cough? Have you ever been found to have high blood pressure? Have you had rheumatic fever? Have you ever suffered from epileptic seizures? Do you get asthma (episodic breathlessness, usually with wheeze)? Have you suffered from anxiety or depression? Do you have diabetes? Surgical Have you had any operations in the past? Obstetric (where appropriate) Have you had any pregnancies? Were they normal? Were there any complications such as hypertension and toxaemia, diabetes, Caesarian section? Tuberculosis Hypertension (myocardial infarction and strokes) Rheumatic fever Epilepsy Astham, anxiety and arthritis Diabetes and depression Drug History and Allergies What drugs, homoeopathic and herbal medicines and/or health foods do you take? - and in what dose? What other therapies do you have? - Physiotherapy? Occupational therapy? Malaria prophylaxis? Do you have any allergies? Have any medicines ever upset you? Family history Are your father, mother, brothers, sisters alive? - If they have died, at what age did he/she/they die? What did he/she/they die of? Do they have any current illnesses? Do any illnesses run in your family? Social history Who is at home with you? Are you single, married, widowed or divorced? Is your partner healthy? How many children have you got? Are your children healthy? What is your occupation? Do you have any financial worries? Do you smoke? - If so, how may per day/week? Have you ever smoked? - Why did you give up? Do you drink alcohol? - If so, how many units per day/week? Have you been abroad? - If so, where? Do you have pets? If mobility is a problem: What is your home like? Do you have to manage stairs? What facilities have you got?

Systems Enquiry Cardiovascular and respiratory function Do you have a cough? Do you cough anything up? Have you ever smoked? If so what, how many, and for how long? Do you get short of breath? Do you wheeze? Do you get any chest pain? Do your ankles swell? Gastrointestinal function Has there been any change in your appetite? Has there been any change in your weight? Have you suffered from nausea or vomiting? Has there been any change in the character or frequency of your bowel movements? Has there been any change in the colour or consistency of your stools? Have you had any bleeding? - while vomiting (haematemesis) or rectally? Genitourinary function How often do you pass urine? Do you have pain or burning on passing urine? Do you have pain in the small of your back (renal angles)? Is there any blood in your urine (haematuria)? Do you have any sexual problems? Specific questions for men Do you have any penile discharge or venereal infection? Do you have any difficulty starting to pass urine (hesitancy or urgency), maintaining the flow of urine (poor stream), or stopping the flow of urine (terminal dribbling)? Specific questions for women Do you have any vaginal discharge? When did your periods start? Are your periods irregular? How often do your periods occur and for how long do they last? Do you have heavy bleeding (menorrhagia) or do you pass clots during your period? When did your periods stop (menopause)? Have you had any bleeding since your periods stopped? How many children have you had and when did you have them? Did you have any complications during any pregnancy? Musculoskeletal function Have you any weakness in your arms or legs? Do you have any stiffness in your joints or spine? Do you have pain in your joints or spine? Neurological function Do you have any headaches? Have you had any blackouts? Have you had any fits? Have you had any dizziness (feeling of instability or rotation)? Do you get ringing in your ears (tinnitus)? Do you get abnormal sensations or tingling in your hands or feet (paraesthesia)? Have you noticed changes in your sense of hearing, smell, taste, vision? Have you any incontinence of urine or stools? Do you get depressed? Do you get anxious?