interviewing and history-taking
Last reviewed 01/2018
To interview and take a history successfully, a GP needs to: - introduce himself to the patient - put the patient at ease - listen attentively - seek clarification of words used by the patient as appropriate - phrase questions simply and clearly - use silence appropriately - recognise verbal and non-verbal cues - identify the patient's reasons for consulting - elicit relevant and specific information from patients and/or their records to help distinguish between working diagnoses - consider physical, psychological and social factors as appropriate - show a well-organised approach to information-gathering (see 'interviewing skills' esp Calgary-Cambridge guide)