Group:

Daniela Rosero

Olga Fiallos

Josselyn Núñez

Malena Moreira

1. An effective medical interview should also include the following aspects: Patient Adaptability: Adjust language and tone according to the patient's age, educational level, and emotional state to ensure better understanding. Exploring Relevant History: Inquiring about medical, family, and social history to gain broader context about the patient's situation. Using Positive Reinforcement Techniques: Nodding and making comments such as "I understand" or "What you mentioned is important" to foster trust and openness. Managing Silence: Allowing strategic pauses so the patient can organize their thoughts and share more information. Attention to Nonverbal Cues: Observe facial expressions, posture, and tone of voice to identify emotions or concerns not expressed verbally. These elements help establish a trusting relationship, improve diagnostic accuracy, and promote patient-centered care.

2. An effective medical interview is foundational to establishing a productive doctor-patient relationship, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment planning. I think of an effective medical interview would employ strategies based  on creating a safe and trusting environment through simple and direct language, empathetic listening, and body language, ultimately enabling personalized care.

3. Auscultation is key to evaluating the heart and lungs. For the heart, the stethoscope is used on the aortic, pulmonary, tricuspid, and mitral valves with the diaphragm and bell, identifying S1, S2, murmurs, and abnormal sounds. For the lungs, the diaphragm is used on the anterior, lateral, and posterior chest wall, asking for deep breaths, comparing both sides, and detecting rales, wheezes, rhonchi, or absence of sounds. Proper auscultation allows for early and accurate diagnosis.

4. Inspecting the skin during a physical examination is crucial because it can reveal systemic diseases, infections, or dermatological conditions. Key signs to look for include pallor (which may indicate anemia), jaundice (suggesting liver dysfunction), cyanosis (sign of hypoxia), and rashes or petechiae (which could point to infections or hematological disorders). Other abnormalities, such as ulcers, lesions, or abnormal pigmentation, might indicate autoimmune diseases, malignancies, or chronic conditions like diabetes. These findings help narrow down the differential diagnosis by correlating skin changes with underlying systemic issues, guiding further testing and treatment.