About hearsay - or reappraisal of the role of the anamnesis as an instrument of meaningful communication.
As a result of the ICT revolution and enhancement of diagnostic possibilities, the anamnesis, as an instrument of meaningful communication in disease and a cornerstone of medical practice throughout the ages, has lost in importance. Nowadays, we are on the brink of a more patient-tailored and individualised therapy, so there is a growing need for an open dialogue in the doctor-patient relationship, a situation very similar to the beginning of the professionalisation of assistance in disease in ancient medicine. Reappraisal of the anamnesis and awareness of the patient-doctor relationship are therefore warranted and for that reason its roots and evolution are discussed from a historic perspective. (Neth Heart J 2007;15:359-62.).
van Tellingen
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Department of Cardiology, St Franciscus Hospital, Roosendaal, the Netherlands.