In the bustling corridors of the modern medical world, a time-honoured practice is often overshadowed by the clamour for rapid solutions the art of patient history-taking.
An inquiry into the patient’s medical and surgical history, and even family medical and social history. The doctor learns of allergies, the medications one is on, or may have been on.
“Taking a complete history is important in order to focus. One cannot blindly investigate with expensive tests in all possible directions,” says Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy from Bengaluru.
At the core of patient history-taking is the art of listening. When a healthcare provider attentively listens to a patient, a whole new dimension of understanding opens up.
Dr Jala Bapu Reddy, says, “A clinician can attain a remarkable 60 to 70 percent clinical diagnosis. This diagnosis is the foundation upon which further investigations are based.”
“History-taking is important for all specialties, but probably the most important for neurology. Most diseases can be diagnosed based on history alone,” Dr Sudhir Kumar says.
Dr Aditya N, a clinical psychologist says, “Establishing trust and rapport is crucial. Taking the time to listen, showing empathy and valuing experiences can improve treatment outcomes.”
The good news is, the timeless art of patient history-taking is experiencing a reawakening. As technology continues to revolutionise, the significance of this practice is being underscored.