Preclinical Ward Teaching Student's Perspective

Abstract

 History taking and basic clinical examination plays a pivotal role in the training of medical undergraduates. Medical history is the information gained by a physician by asking specific questions, from the patient with the aim of obtaining information useful in formulating a diagnosis and providing medical care to the patient. The relevant complaints reported by the patient are referred to as symptoms, in contrast to clinical signs, which are seen by direct examination of the patient by the doctor. The information thus gathered, enables the doctor to make a diagnosis and plan treatment for the patient. There is a need to encourage active participation of learners by engaging all students rather than engaging a single one while others observe. Thus history taking and examination skill is central to the transformation of a medical undergraduate student into a competent health professional and must be given due emphasis in medical schools. Keywords: Medical history, clinical examination, student prospectus