PCM: Taking a Family & Social History

=Objectives=

Describe the differences between family history, social history, and habits.

 * Habits are not "Social History". Habits include tobacco, alcohol, diet, exercise.
 * Social History: tells you about the patient and who they are. eg: relationships, work, children, pets, role of religion
 * Family history: blood, genetics, family diseases

Demonstrate the ability to obtain an accurate and meaningful family and social history.

 * use open ended questions, ie is there a family history of any medical problems?
 * also include more specific close ended questions, ie do you have a family history of cancer?

Describe how to create and interpret a family pedigree.

 * The surgeon general of the United States has a family history public health initiative that provides excellent information for patients and students.

=Links=
 * NIH funded support site for evaluation of genetic diseases
 * My Family Health Portrait
 * A patient checklist for family diseases
 * Information site for specific genetic diseases
 * 23andMe a Personal Genomics company