Interview Basics 3

Question 1

What are the main elements of a social history?

Answer 1

• Demographics and OCCUPATIONAL history
• Nutrition and Diet
• Daily activities and exercise
• Alcohol, tobacco and recreational drug use
• Spirituality and beliefs
• Relationships
• Safety at home, in car, with leisure activities
• SOMETIMES: Sexual History

Question 2

What are some good questions to ask for occupational history?

Answer 2

• Do you work outside your home?
• What kind of work do you do?
• Tell me what your job is like for you?
• What other jobs have you held in the past?
• Have you ever had exposure to fumes, chemicals, dust, loud noise or radiation?

** Do you think anything at work or home is affecting your symptoms now?

Question 3

Explain how to calculate “Pack Years” for someone who smokes.

Answer 3

(# of packs smoked per day) * (# of years smoked)

Question 4

Differentiate between AUDIT and CAGE Questions.

Answer 4

AUDIT

• Better SENSITIVITY
• More questions for the physicians to remember, somewhat difficult to score

CAGE

• Useful to screen for patients who drink more than one drink daily OR who drink a lot on the WEEKENDS
• Lots of FALSE positives

Question 5

What are the Safe Drinking Limits for Men and Women?

Answer 5

MEN: 14 or fewer drinks per WEEK, no more than 4 drinks a DAY

WOMEN (and those over the age of 65): 7 per WEEK, and no more than 3 drinks a DAY

Question 6

If you suspect Domestic Violence in the household, what should you do?

Answer 6

SAFE

Stress/Safety - Afraid/Abused - Friends/Family - Emergency Plan

Question 7

What is a good transitional statement into the Sexual History?

Answer 7

“Now I’d like to move our conversation to sexuality, which is an important aspect of your complete health care.”

Question 8

What are the 5 P’s of the Sexual History?

Answer 8

1. Partners
2. Prevention or Pregnancy
3. Protection from STD
4. Practices
5. Past History of STDs