Patient recall - strengths and shortcomings of a major information source

摘要: Physicians rely on patients for needed information about past medical events, implying a belief that are able to understand, recall and verbalize events accurately reliably. Is this valid? This article discusses: 1) whether accurate reliable reporters of their own health status, history; 2) the physician is make correct diagnoses prognoses based upon provided by patients; 3) factors affect recall. In some ways good history. However, there numerous reporting accuracy reliability such as: anxiety, mood, severity illness, type duration procedure, length time since episode. Good communication appears be key element in eliciting patient Physician records remain best source many points gleaned from may used with confidence. Recognizing repository individual means more needs done ensure high priority placed record documentation, format, sharing. It unlikely will ever fully replace role as personal historian. The main general epidemiological episodes infectious disease, familial illness histories patients** themselves physicians' records. Many details latter also derive not direct observations. Patients' illnesses, treatment therefore very important physician's assessment illnesses serves aid clinical decision making. essential research studies. While all family physicians amount input patient, even Hong Kong where long-term doctor-patient relationships, comprehensive often rare. because people highly transient tend "doctor shop." Hence, history portion frequently incomplete, or solely no verification. Doctor shopping defined multiple consultations different providers same problem. (This compounded fact address presenting symptoms only.) Physicians' reliance implies *Address correspondence: Dr. Karen A. Fitzner, Department Community Medicine Unit Behavioural Sciences, 4/F, Li Shu Fan Building, 5 Sassoon Road, Pok Fu Lam, Kong. ** parents young children guardians persons deemed incapable giving 229