Communication Skills: A Patient-Centered Approach

Summary

In this medical role-play transcript, a patient named Bellamy visits a doctor due to a severe headache that started three days ago and has not improved with common pain medications. The headache is constant, worsens with movement and light, and has affected Bellamy's daily life, preventing work attendance. The patient expresses concern about insurance coverage after recently changing insurance companies. The doctor, Harris, addresses Bellamy's worries, plans to check insurance details, and proceeds to gather a detailed medical history, including family history of migraines and the patient's smoking habit. The encounter ends with feedback from the standardized patient, commending the doctor's communication skills and providing suggestions for improvement.

Takeaways

• 😀 The patient, referred to as 'mom', is visiting the doctor due to a severe headache that has been persistent for three days.
• 🤔 The patient is concerned about insurance coverage since she recently changed insurance companies.
• 🏥 The doctor plans to look into the patient's insurance policy to ensure everything is in order while conducting the patient's history and physical examination.
• 😣 The headache is described as a 10 out of 10 in pain severity, affecting the entire head and causing nausea and vomiting.
• 🚫 The patient has tried Tylenol and Motrin without any relief from the headache.
• 🔍 The doctor is considering the patient's medical history, including controlled high blood pressure, and family history of migraines.
• 🚭 The patient smokes about half a pack of cigarettes a day but does not consume alcohol.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 The patient is married with no children and is currently in menopause.
• 🧳 The patient recently traveled to North Carolina for a family reunion where she was in contact with a sick four-year-old.
• 🤕 The headache worsened with movement and light, and there was also a shooting pain down the neck and a stiff neck.
• 📝 The doctor intends to complete a physical exam and perform some tests after discussing the patient's history and concerns.

Q & A

What is the main reason for Miss Bellamy's visit to the doctor?

Miss Bellamy is visiting the doctor due to a severe headache that started three days ago and has not improved despite taking over-the-counter medications.

What concerns does Miss Bellamy express about her insurance coverage?

Miss Bellamy is concerned that her recent change in insurance companies might not cover the visit, and she wants to ensure that the treatment will be covered.

What is the doctor's approach to addressing Miss Bellamy's insurance concerns?

The doctor plans to have the office secretary look into the insurance plan details while they proceed with the history and physical examination.

How does Miss Bellamy describe the onset and progression of her headache?

The headache started gradually three days ago and has remained constant without getting better or worse. It is a 10 out of 10 in terms of pain severity.

What factors seem to aggravate Miss Bellamy's headache?

The headache is worsened by movement and light, and it is causing her to avoid moving and is very bothersome when exposed to light.

What is the nature of the pain Miss Bellamy is experiencing?

The pain is described as constant, all over the head, and accompanied by a stiff neck and shooting pain down her neck.

What is Miss Bellamy's medical history relevant to her current condition?

Miss Bellamy has a history of high blood pressure, which has been well-controlled through diet changes and monitoring without medication.

Does Miss Bellamy have any family history of similar conditions?

Her mother had migraines when she was younger, but there is no other significant family history of headaches or other related conditions.

What lifestyle habits does Miss Bellamy have that could be relevant to her condition?

Miss Bellamy smokes about half a pack of cigarettes a day but does not drink alcohol.

What recent event in Miss Bellamy's life could potentially be related to her symptoms?

Miss Bellamy traveled to North Carolina for a family reunion two weeks ago, where she was around a sick four-year-old, although the specifics of the illness are unknown.

How does the doctor plan to proceed with the examination and testing after taking the history?

The doctor plans to complete a physical examination and perform some tests to determine the cause of the headache.