Mental health service users have highlighted the lack of physical health care as a priority.

Psychiatrists are well placed to help their patients with general ill health and undiagnosed physical illness to improve quality of life and reduce premature death.

Taking a relevant and comprehensive medical history alongside a psychiatric history is a vital starting point to ensure the physical health needs of people with mental illness are met.

This module is an introductory guide to medical history taking within the constraints of routine psychiatric care, looking at:

• reasons why physical healthcare in patients with mental illness should be given priority

• the practicalities of an interview

• effective communication skills

• core items in physical health reviews of psychiatric patients

• common and important physical illnesses and lifestyles that have particular relevance for mental illness

• aspects of history taking that require more detail for specific conditions.

Start the module

Download take-home notes to print and annotate