Clinical Assessment, Patient-Centered Interviewing, History & Physical
Examination, Mental Health Evaluation, Preventive Screening,
Diagnostic Reasoning, Differential Diagnosis, SIGECAPS, DIGFAST,
SBAR, SPIKES, Social Determinants, Implicit Bias, Motivational
Interviewing, Health Literacy, Substance Use Screening, Domestic &
Elder Abuse, Sexual Health Assessment, Immunization Review, ROS,
HEENT, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Gastrointestinal,
Musculoskeletal, Neurologic, Endocrine, Hematologic,
Pharmacotherapy, Clinical Documentation, EHR Competency,
Preventive Counseling, Shared Decision-Making, Telehealth & Patient
Safety in Primary Care Exam Questions Verified and Provided with
Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
The clinical centered approach
Attaining information about disease/pathology and related symptoms
The patient centered approach
Attaining info about how the patient experiences the disease or their personal perspective of the
disease
Recognizes the importance of patient's personal concerns, feelings and emotions
Structure and timeline of the clinical encounter
Initiating the session
Gathering information
Physical examination
Explanation and planning
,Closing the session
Stage I - initiating the encounter
This stage involves promoting the patient clinician relationship, it fosters trust and rapport which are
essential for the therapeutic relationship
Ensure appearance is professional
Make the environment as private and comfortable as possible
Good eye contact
Review clinical record (age, gender, meds, allergies, problem list) before entering the room
Set your goals for the interview (should always balance with the goals of the patient)
Greet the patient and establish initial rapport - determine how the pt prefers to be addressed (title
name and pronoun)
For first time visits with patients explain your role and your status as a student and how you will be
involved in their care
Stage 2: Gathering information
Initiate information gathering - chief concern or presenting problem
Establish the agenda for the patient encounter - open ended questions: "How can I help you today?"
Invite the patient's story - encourage patients to tell their stories in their own words, without
interrupting
Gather information about the patient's perspective of illness
Identify and respond to emotional clues
Gather important background information - personal and social history are important
Stage 3: Performing the physical exam
Enhances the relationship with patient
Helps identify the presence or absence of disease
, Provides an opportunity for further discussion
Stage 4: explaining and planning
Provide useful information and verify patient understanding
Negotiate the plan of action shared decision making
1) introduce choices and describe options
2) explore pt preferences
3) move to a decision (providing the pt with enough time)
It is important to note that up to 50% of the information a patient retains is incorrect and between 40 to
80% of the information is forgotten after the visit
A useful tool that you can use to ensure that the patient understands the information is the teach back
method where you ask the patient to tell you the plan of care in their own words.
Shared decision making promotes optimal therapy, adherence to treatment and patient satisfaction as
the patient is involved in the decision making.
Stage 5: closing the encounter
This stage may be difficult
let the patient know that the end of the interview is approaching to allow time for final questions
Not a good time to bring up new topics
In closing summarize treatment plan, and follow up evaluation
Self reflection is important
Social determinants of health
the social, economic and political conditions that influence the health of individuals and populations
Although your patients health is influenced by genetics, it is also strongly influenced by social
determinants of health such as stress, early life, social support, working conditions, unemployment,
addiction, access to health food and transportation policies.
Examination, Mental Health Evaluation, Preventive Screening,
Diagnostic Reasoning, Differential Diagnosis, SIGECAPS, DIGFAST,
SBAR, SPIKES, Social Determinants, Implicit Bias, Motivational
Interviewing, Health Literacy, Substance Use Screening, Domestic &
Elder Abuse, Sexual Health Assessment, Immunization Review, ROS,
HEENT, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Gastrointestinal,
Musculoskeletal, Neurologic, Endocrine, Hematologic,
Pharmacotherapy, Clinical Documentation, EHR Competency,
Preventive Counseling, Shared Decision-Making, Telehealth & Patient
Safety in Primary Care Exam Questions Verified and Provided with
Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
The clinical centered approach
Attaining information about disease/pathology and related symptoms
The patient centered approach
Attaining info about how the patient experiences the disease or their personal perspective of the
disease
Recognizes the importance of patient's personal concerns, feelings and emotions
Structure and timeline of the clinical encounter
Initiating the session
Gathering information
Physical examination
Explanation and planning
,Closing the session
Stage I - initiating the encounter
This stage involves promoting the patient clinician relationship, it fosters trust and rapport which are
essential for the therapeutic relationship
Ensure appearance is professional
Make the environment as private and comfortable as possible
Good eye contact
Review clinical record (age, gender, meds, allergies, problem list) before entering the room
Set your goals for the interview (should always balance with the goals of the patient)
Greet the patient and establish initial rapport - determine how the pt prefers to be addressed (title
name and pronoun)
For first time visits with patients explain your role and your status as a student and how you will be
involved in their care
Stage 2: Gathering information
Initiate information gathering - chief concern or presenting problem
Establish the agenda for the patient encounter - open ended questions: "How can I help you today?"
Invite the patient's story - encourage patients to tell their stories in their own words, without
interrupting
Gather information about the patient's perspective of illness
Identify and respond to emotional clues
Gather important background information - personal and social history are important
Stage 3: Performing the physical exam
Enhances the relationship with patient
Helps identify the presence or absence of disease
, Provides an opportunity for further discussion
Stage 4: explaining and planning
Provide useful information and verify patient understanding
Negotiate the plan of action shared decision making
1) introduce choices and describe options
2) explore pt preferences
3) move to a decision (providing the pt with enough time)
It is important to note that up to 50% of the information a patient retains is incorrect and between 40 to
80% of the information is forgotten after the visit
A useful tool that you can use to ensure that the patient understands the information is the teach back
method where you ask the patient to tell you the plan of care in their own words.
Shared decision making promotes optimal therapy, adherence to treatment and patient satisfaction as
the patient is involved in the decision making.
Stage 5: closing the encounter
This stage may be difficult
let the patient know that the end of the interview is approaching to allow time for final questions
Not a good time to bring up new topics
In closing summarize treatment plan, and follow up evaluation
Self reflection is important
Social determinants of health
the social, economic and political conditions that influence the health of individuals and populations
Although your patients health is influenced by genetics, it is also strongly influenced by social
determinants of health such as stress, early life, social support, working conditions, unemployment,
addiction, access to health food and transportation policies.
