How to Take a Good Medical History

In an emergency, a good medical history can save your life.

Having a good and up-to-date medical history can save your life or the life of someone you love. When there is an emergency, it is too late to update the medical history on hand. The time to put together a medical history for you, your spouse and your children is before an emergency. Taking a good medical history means listing and explaining everything needed to make sure you and your family receive the best medical treatment possible for your situation.

Instructions

1. Write your name at the top of your medical history. A good medical history provides information pertinent to your medical situation. A bad medical history would leave out critical information, especially such basic information as who you are and how to reach you. Start your medical history by listing your full name, the name of your spouse or a person who can make medical decisions if you are unable to do so.

2. List current address and other pertinent contact information. Make sure the address listed is current. Include phone numbers and alternate phone numbers or ways of reaching another person responsible for medical decisions. List an email address that you check on a regular basis. If you can be reached at your place of employment, list that address and contact information as well.

3. Add family history. Information about your parents can give the medical team direction in certain situations because many health problems are passed on from one generation to another. Include names of your parents, whether they are alive or dead, if they have chronic illnesses, and, if deceased, whether an illness played a factor in the death. Because of hereditary problems, it is also a good idea to include basic information on your children as well. List names, birth dates and major illnesses past and present. Include contact information for children no longer living at home. If you suffer a problem that is generational in nature, a good medical history will alert the doctor that your children may also need to be checked.

4. Write and explain your medical history. Taking a good medical history means noting what you are dealing with presently, including illnesses, allergies and sensitivities as well as medications taken. List past major illnesses, accidents, broken bones, hospital stays, medications as well as how and when past problems were treated. Include a list of immunizations and the dates when they were administered.

5. Provide doctor information. When an emergency strikes, you may not be at home. It is important when taking a good medical history that you list your primary physician and contact information, along with any specialists you may be seeing and their contact information. Having this information will allow medical staff to contact your doctor and access your medical records quickly.

6. Print out copies and keep them handy. Have a copy with you at all times, especially if you have a chronic illness. It does no good to have a good medical history if it isn't readily accessible in case of an emergency. Keep your medical history up-to-date or it may do more harm than good at a critical time. Taking a good medical history is not only a good idea, but it can save your life.

References

• "Good Housekeeping:" Printable Medical History Forms

Resources

• "American College of Emergency Physicians:" Personal Medical History form