Past Medical & Surgical History
The past medical history (PMH) covers past and ongoing medical problems, hospitalizations, trauma and surgeries, OB-Gyn history and birth history when relevant, as well as preventive health.
Explicitly transition to the past medical history so your patient understands the flow of the interview. A statement like “May I ask you some questions about your past health?” lets them know that you’re moving on from the current problem. For each section of the PMH, you can start by asking an open-ended question followed by more focused questions. Here’s a good starting point for Immersion and Autumn quarter.
| Active medical problems | Start with: What other medical problems do you have?
For each ongoing medical Problem, remember POTS:
Ask about problems common in the patient’s demographic group, i.e., Any high blood pressure? Diabetes? |
| Past health problems & hospitalizations | Start with: Have you had other major health issues?
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| Surgeries & traumas | Start with: Have you had any surgeries? Any major injuries?
Specifically ask about other common surgeries: Have you had your appendix out? Gallbladder? |
| Obstetric & gynecologic history | For those assigned female at birth, basics include:
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| Preventive health | Preventive health is centered in primary care rather than the hospital. For hospital tutorials, you can ask:
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Example: Past medical problems
Our patient does not require too much prompting to share her medical problems and surgical history! You may need to ask more questions with a less talkative person.