STANDARD HISTORY-TAKING MNEMONICS
"PAMHUGS FOSS"
This standard mnemonic helps us in completing a clinical history after the chief complaint and related relevant history-taking steps have been taken care off.
"SODA"
'SODA' is a mnemonic to enquire about a detailed social history :
"LIQORAAA"
This is a standard mnemonic for eliciting a complete history for any kind of pain chief complaint:
None of the mnemonics themselves make any sense, I mean does the word SODA, in anyway remind you of 'social history', unless you can devise a way such as we guys drink sodas in groups with friends - a kind of social drinking - reminds one of social history. This is contrary to what I believe a mnemonic should be - a great mnemonic itself indicates what it's for - like my mnemonic CAPTOPRIL. But then these mnemonics above are standard history taking mnemonics and not too tough to remember and they serve our purpose on the USMLE Step 2 CS and perhaps will help us through all our clinical lifespans !
Also Check Out:
- Exciting Books On Medical Mnemonics
Google Keywords to this blog:
- "history physical mnemonic"
- "clinical skills mnemonics"
- "history and exam mnemonic"
"PAMHUGS FOSS"
This standard mnemonic helps us in completing a clinical history after the chief complaint and related relevant history-taking steps have been taken care off.
- P-ast medical history
- A-llergy hx
- M-edication hx
- H-ospitalization hx
- U-rinary problems
- G-I problems
- S-leep probs
- F-amily hx
- O-b/gyn hx
- S-exual hx
- S-ocial hx - use 'SODA'
"SODA"
'SODA' is a mnemonic to enquire about a detailed social history :
- S-moking
- O-ccupation
- D-rugs (Illicit)
- A-lcohol + CAGE questionnaire
"LIQORAAA"
This is a standard mnemonic for eliciting a complete history for any kind of pain chief complaint:
- L-ocation (of pain)
- I-ntensity
- Q-uality
- O-nset + Progression
- R-adiation
- A-ssociated Symptoms
- A-ggravating Factors
- A-lleviating Factors
None of the mnemonics themselves make any sense, I mean does the word SODA, in anyway remind you of 'social history', unless you can devise a way such as we guys drink sodas in groups with friends - a kind of social drinking - reminds one of social history. This is contrary to what I believe a mnemonic should be - a great mnemonic itself indicates what it's for - like my mnemonic CAPTOPRIL. But then these mnemonics above are standard history taking mnemonics and not too tough to remember and they serve our purpose on the USMLE Step 2 CS and perhaps will help us through all our clinical lifespans !
Also Check Out:
- Exciting Books On Medical Mnemonics
Google Keywords to this blog:
- "history physical mnemonic"
- "clinical skills mnemonics"
- "history and exam mnemonic"
Labels: Mnemonics
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posted by Digitaldoc, MD at 6:59 PM
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Khan said ... (7:54 AM) :
Post a commenti m a li'l confused with how to use the mnemonics of history taking for each symptom... should i write them down on the paper before entering?
U wont need to write them down if u practice them real well ..they will serve as mental guides as to what to ask . U could wite the standard ones for every case like PAMHUGSFOSS etc., ...but u dont have to write specific ones like FACE SLIPS for depression, etc.
well digitaldoc,
thanks for the site and the help.u rock man.
u have given a beautiful mnemonic of pain.
i feel progression shud also be included.i am not sure if this has to be given of much importance
Sure, I took it for granted that asking about the onset of pain would also cover the progression since onset - but let me put that down on the mnemonic - thnx !
romodoc Says:
Awesome DDoc, this is a pretty nice source of information. Thanks.
just a small contribution, I use SAD ONE insted of SODA for social.
S moke
A lcohol
D rugs
O cupation
N utrition (apetite, diet, weight loss etc.)
E xercise
Thanks ! The Sad One does make me Happy ;-)
Thanks for the tips. the site is great
My little contribution, a mnemonic for follow up visit of diabetic patients.
I use DIABETIC plus PAMHUGSFOS SAD ONE
D duration of disease
I Insulin regimen/ oral hypoglyemics regimen
A A1c hg -> Gluc. monitoring (fast, home, HgA1c)
B blurry vision (retinopathy)
E extremity (foot ulcer/infection
T Tingling/numbness (neuropathy)
I Infections (resp/urinary)
C Cardio Risk Factors (HTN, CHOL, Heart disease)
PAM HUGS FOS SAD ONE
Thats a very good one - shall put this one separately , it would be nice to have ur name and med-school credited to it :-)
Dear Doc,
I wanted to thank you for all ur efforts for this great site. I have learnt a lot from ur site. I did took my CS Exam in houston on july 24th. I guess i did my best except for 1 case which i think i literally blew up. One thing I wanted you to add to the mnemonic of Child with fever, that is Recent Immunization. I would say
I didnt paid much attention to the immunization record, realized when i came out after 6-8 mins of interaction.. Thinking of it make me sweat but all is done now.
I just wanted to Thankyou and to pls add thispoint to ur mnemonic so anyone else doesnt make this mistake i did.
Thanks
Hi DigitalDoc .. Thx for all the effort u have put in this site .. it's helping e and alot other people as well !
Here's an updated Social Hx mnemonic i came up with to make it complete .. it's time for Soda .. again!
SODAS TIME !
Smoking
Occupation
Diet ( Appetite & Wt change if u forgot them in the begining)
Acohol / CAGE
Support system (Friends and Family)
Travel Hx
Illicit Drugs
Marriage
Exercise
Hope evrybody find i useful !
Regards , Squalo
Hi Digidoc!
Just want to share some mnemonics I learned in med school for assessing pain.
O-nset
L-ocation
D-uration
C-haracter
A-ggravating/ alleviating factors
R-adiation
T-iming
God bless you for helping other people make it through as a doctor. I'm preparing for CS too and I learned a lot from your site. Kudos!
Hey I am highly thank ful of you all. You KNOW i FAILED tHE cs IN MY fIRST ATTEMPt,I went for the test with just three days preparation, I lost my one chance I am really depressed coz i was overconfient. I passsed only Spoken English and failed the other two components/ Had I known this site before I should pass even with my those three days preparation,,Any wayz now as I am having two Iv CALLS ALREADY INHAND I cant do nothing. Coz I am not an ECFMGcertified. Wish you all th ebest,, you all are v great ppl.