Patients History - Book Report/Review Example

Several health assessment procedures were discussed noted by Lloyd and Craig and rationales were also given for such. According to Lloyd & Craig (2007), taking a patient's history is important as this "provides essential information to the practitioner" (p.42) which can be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of the patient. Lloyd & Craig (2007) stated that "the first part of the history-taking process is preparing the environment" (p.42). As nurses can be exposed to different environments from emergency rooms to nursing homes, it is thereby important that the environment be "accessible, appropriately equipped, free from distraction and safe for both parties" (p.42). Also part of "preparing the environment" is being respectful of the beliefs, privacy and dignity of the patient.

This includes acting in a professional manner, keeping the information given by the patient private and letting the patient talk without giving abrupt or untimely interruptions. The authors also noted the importance of allotting enough time for the patient to give his account so as to not sacrifice completeness of information and the importance of good communication skills. Given were examples of good verbal communication skills such as avoiding jargons and using appropriate language and non-verbal communication such as maintaining eye contact and facial gestures.

Lloyd & Craig (2007) stressed the importance of the patient. . the patient. A general sequence was suggested as taking the "presenting complaint, past medical history, mental health, medication history, family history, social history, sexual history, occupational history, systemic enquiry, further information from a third party and summary" (p.43), though it was also stated that this need not be followed in a rigid or step-by-step manner. The population discussed was not in relation to any specific or particular gender, age, disease or work demographic, rather this guide was for patients in general.

Among the journal's good points include its comprehensiveness in tackling the different areas that should be dealt with during history-taking. Under each category, it goes into the pertinent details by giving examples. This is evident, for example, in the social history, as it gives sample questions to ask such as "Is the patient married Is his or her spouse healthy Do they have children, and if so, what age are they". This journal also gives importance not only to the process of history-taking itself, but also on other factors which can affect history-taking such as the environment and the health practitioner's communication skills.

It is very systematic and well-organized. The flow of thought is very linear and doesn't jump from one concept to another. It gives credit in keeping abreast with the guidelines stated by professional associations such as the NMC Code of Professional Conduct in doing history-taking As mentioned earlier, the journal was about history-taking in general, and not addressed to any age, gender, work or disease in particular. This can be a good point in a sense that it serves as a general guideline not just for nurses but for many health practitioners as well and can be applicable to almost all cases which