title: Taking a patient history: the role of the nurse.
abstract: History taking is a key component of patient assessment, enabling the delivery of high-quality care. Understanding the complexity and processes involved in history taking allows nurses to gain a better understanding of patients' problems. Care priorities can be identified and the most appropriate interventions commenced to optimise patient outcomes.
authors.affiliation: University of Edinburgh. T.Fawcett@ed.ac.uk
authors.forename: Tonks
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fawcett
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rhynas
mesh_terms: D003142:Communication; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking / Q000592:standards*; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013222:State Medicine / Q000592:standards; D006113:United Kingdom