QuEST and SCHOLAR-MAC

Symptoms, Characteristics, History, Onset, Location, Aggravating Factors, Remitting Factors, Medications, Allergies, Conditions

What is bothering you? What is wrong? What brings you in today? What other problems have you noticed? What other symptoms have you noticed?

What does the problem feel like? Describe your symptoms/problem to me Have your symptoms changed over time? How bothersome are your symptoms? To what extent do your symptoms interfere with your activities of daily living?

Have you had these same symptoms in the past? How have these symptoms affected you in the past? How do these symptoms compare to symptoms you have had in the past? What have you tried this time to relieve the symptoms? What have you tried in the past? What was the result of past treatments?

When did the problem/problems start? How often do the symptoms occur? How did the problems or symptoms start? What were you doing when you first noticed the symptoms? How long have you had this problem? How long have the symptoms been present?

Where does it hurt? Where is the problem located? In what part of your body are you experiencing the symptoms?

What makes the problem worse? § Food § Activities § Medications § Positions What else do you feel when you have this problem?

What makes the problem better? § Food § Medications § Positions § Activities What have you done so far to make the problem better? Was it successful?

Prescription medications Nonprescription medications Herbals/dietary supplements What conditions is patient using each for?

Medications Products Differentiate between sensitivity and adverse effect

Example questions: For what other medical conditions does your doctor see you for? What other illnesses have been acting up lately? What other problems do you have with your health? ○ Allows you to avoid drug-disease interactions ○ Allows for assessment of whether patient is a self care candidate

To ask about the current complaint.

Qu: Quickly and accurately assess your patient E: Establish whether patient is appropriate for self care treatment Suggest appropriate self care strategies Talk with the patient about those strategies

As a rule, the following people are not candidates for self care: Symptoms are severe and require further diagnosis Symptoms are persistent and not related to easily identifiable cause Symptoms have appeared repeatedly Pharmacists is in doubt regarding patient's medical condition Self treatment to avoid medical care

Explain reason for referral to patient Convey important of referral without scaring patient Be precise about where to seek treatment PCP Urgent care center Emergency Room WHEN should patient receive treatment?