PATIENT HISTORY TAKING: HISTORY OF PAST ILLNESS

Course overview

Patient history taking (PHT) is the systematic and structured questioning by a health care provider of a patient, a patient’s family member or close associate (e.g., intimate partner) in order to gain information to assist in determining a medical diagnosis, developing a nursing care plan, and providing appropriate treatment to the patient. This continuing education module is designed to give the reader/learner an increased understanding of relevant research on the general principles of patient history taking, including evidence-based information on gathering a history of past illness. Readers may explore any or all of the topics. One contact hour of continuing education credit is available for those who successfully complete the post-test and evaluation form.