What differences do you note between the two H&Ps?

My first H&P had a more detailed information in the history. This was due to the fact that my second patient didn’t speak English well. My first H&P I spent a long time obtaining a history, while in my second I spent more time on the exam.

In what ways has your history-taking improved? Are you eliciting all the important information?

I am more comfortable taking a history. Because my second patient didn’t speak English well, I improved my skills on how to ask questions in multiple different ways.

In what ways has writing an HPI improved?

The second HPI was more organized. The relevant pertinent negative and positives where complete in the second one.

What is your self-assessment of your current skill in performing a physical exam? Which areas do you feel strongest about/weakest about?

I am comfortable doing a head exam. I need practice with the abdomen, chest and lungs. I am most uncomfortable with the nervous system. The system is complex, and I need to practice learning all of the parts of it.

Of course we expect you to get stronger in all areas, but which of the specific areas will you target as needing particular focus in future patient visits when you start the clinical year?

I need the most practice with heart and nervous system. I have a hard time distinguishing abnormal heart sounds.