title: Taking a 'drugs' history.
abstract: A simple, anonymous questionnaire was used to examine the depth of drug history taken from patients by a group of junior doctors. The results showed that most who replied restricted their history to prescription medicines and smoking. We feel that this is no longer sufficient and that a drug history should be expanded to include substances such as recreational drugs and over-the-counter preparations. If an allergy is reported, detailed questioning about its nature is also important since the term is often used by patients when a true allergy does in fact not exist. We present a mnemonic which can be used as an aide memoire to the various areas of importance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Hospital Haslar, Gosport, Hants, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hocking
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: deMello
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000379:methods*; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D011364:Professional Practice; D012907:Smoking
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations