← Differential Diagnosis class notes
FROM MY PT SCHOOL NOTES · DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS · UNIT 1 · CHAPTER 02
Interview, medical history and review of systems
Which interview details change the risk picture? Ask about onset, progression, associated symptoms and medical history before making a treatment decision.
Key screening concepts
- Start open-ended, then clarify onset, mechanism, timing, progression, aggravating/relieving factors, associated symptoms and prior care.
- Review medications, cancer/infection history, vascular risk, systemic symptoms, family history and current function when clinically appropriate.
- Maintain privacy and document what was asked, reported and observed without assigning certainty beyond the evidence.
PT clinical connection
Old textbook intake forms are references, not material to reproduce verbatim; write your own screening prompts.
High-yield distinction
History and systems review are iterative: A new finding during examination can change the urgency and prompt additional targeted interview questions.
Original class sources: Interviewing Do and Do nots.pdf; Interview Intake Forms.pdf; 3 Medical Screening Physical Assessment as a Screening Tool.pdf. Personal PT-school notes with separately indicated new references; not a diagnosis, medical clearance, emergency triage protocol or substitute for appropriate evaluation and referral pathways.
