Student name: HUYNH NGOC BAO TRAN

Student ID: C190486

Report Assignment 1: Pediatric Dentistry (Dr. Masashi Nakano)

Describe the medical interview for the initial examination. (Purpose, method, contents of interview, and other
points to be considered)

Report
Purpose and method:
The medical interview is purposely performed corresponding requirements of the patient and
physician, both parties. While the physician actively conducts the interview in order to clarify the patient's
problems and derive diagnostic and therapeutic plans for the patient's benefit, the patient enters the interview
seeking relief from the discomforts and uncertainties of illness. Besides, this also help to build a good dentist-
patient relationship for a better treatment quality.
There are two basic types of medical interview: the problem-oriented and the health promotion
interviews. (Levinson D., 1987.)
 The problem-oriented interview: is to reflect on patient’s needs on specific concern.
 The health promotion interview: creates a baseline of information about the patient's
current and previous health issues, evaluates current risk factors for disease (such as diet, alcohol use,
smoking, and hereditary diseases in the family), and can identify early signs of disease (such as
changes in bowel habits, weight loss, and chest discomfort) that the patient did not consider severe
enough to motivate a visit to the doctor for that particular issue.
Clinician-centered or patient-centered approach or both are used to elicit medical data:
 Clinician-centered interviewing: to gather specific information not already provided
by the patient, usually to diagnose a condition or create a database.
 Patient-centered interviewing: encourage the patient to spontaneously describe his or
her symptoms, freely express their feelings and concerns.
 Integrated patient-centered and clinician-centered interviewing: to elicit from the
patient any physical, personal (which includes social), and emotional information before combining
the information into the biopsychosocial story.
Contents of interview
1. Chief complaint:
Motivation for visit
2. History of present illness
Characteristics and process of symptoms related to the chief complaint
3. Process from prenatal to postnatal
State of birth/developmental state
4. Maternal and child health handbook
Health examination for 1y6m-old children/3y-old children
5. Past medical history
Allergies, and previous disease
6. Social history
Growth environment, and family structure
7. Family history
Health status of family and relatives
Reference: Levinson D. A guide to the clinical interview. Philadelphia: Saunders, 1987