This paper reviews "A Guide to Taking a Patient's History" by H. Lloyd and S. Craig (2007), published in Nursing Standard. The review summarizes the article's key guidance on preparing for and conducting patient history interviews, including the recommended sequence of history components, the importance of informed consent, and the application of the Calgary Cambridge Observation Guide as a consulting model. It also highlights best practices for nurse-patient communication, effective questioning strategies, and the professional standards nurses must uphold—particularly those outlined in the NMC Code of Professional Conduct—to ensure accurate, comprehensive, and ethically sound patient histories.
This paper reviews A Guide to Taking a Patient's History by H. Lloyd and S. Craig, published in Nursing Standard in 2007. According to the article's abstract, it "outlines the process of taking a history from a patient, including preparing the environment, communication skills and the importance of order." It also explains "the rationale for taking a comprehensive history," which can be utilized by a physician or a nurse before a serious operation or other type of medical procedure (Lloyd & Craig, 2007, p. 42).
As pointed out by Lloyd and Craig, taking a patient's medical history should adhere to the following sequence of events: the presenting complaint, past medical history, mental health, family history, social history, sexual history, occupational history, systemic enquiry, and a summary. Together, these components provide a comprehensive history that can be used as a reference for current medical conditions as well as conditions that may arise in the near future (2007, p. 43). A well-structured sequence ensures that no critical area is overlooked and that the resulting record is reliable and complete. For further background on the components of a medical history, Wikipedia offers a useful overview of standard practice across clinical settings.
Before compiling a patient's medical history, a nurse must gain informed consent from the patient, but only if the patient is able to "act under their own free will, have an understanding of what they have agreed to, and have enough information on which to base a decision" (Lloyd & Craig, 2007, p. 43). Otherwise, as W. D. Glanze reminds us, "a nurse or other healthcare professional must gain consent from a close family member" or from someone with the legal authority to give such consent (2002, p. 245). The requirement for informed consent is a foundational ethical and legal principle in healthcare, ensuring that patients retain autonomy over decisions affecting their care.
"Five-stage consulting model for nurses"
"Best practices for nurse-patient interview questions"
"NMC conduct code and training requirements"
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