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Chapter-02 History

BOOK TITLE: Clinical Neurology Made Easy

Author
1. Srinivas HV
ISBN
9789352702510
DOI
10.5005/jp/books/14202_3
Edition
1/e
Publishing Year
2018
Pages
5
Author Affiliations
1. Agadi Hospital and Sagar Hospital, Bengaluru; Narayana Institute of Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Chapter keywords
History, personal history, past history, family history, physical examination, clinical medicine, inadequate history, MR, CT

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to focus on the history. History is important in all spheres of life, whether it is recruiting a person for a job, or choosing a spouse, we all depend on the history. Similarly in clinical medicine the history of illness (onset, progression, duration), personal history, past history, family history are all important. History taking is an art which has to be learnt and practiced by observing the seniors and has to be developed over a period of time. History tells us what the problem is and physical examination where the problem is. History taking today has become more difficult as patients no longer talk about the symptoms, but about the diagnosis or findings of the investigations. Often we mention that “history is inadequate” which is the fault of the doctor and not the patient. May be another visit, when both the patient and the doctor are relatively free and fresh, is required to obtain more history. The best way to solve a diagnostic dilemma is not by ordering more sophisticated investigations but making efforts to get proper history.

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