Clinical Assessment

Getting a Good History

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Look for modifiers: pre-morbidities and co-morbidities.

Do you have any pre-existing conditions such as depression, anxiety, learning disability, migraines, ADHD, headaches, substance abuse, encephalitis, epilepsy, etc.?
Have you ever had brain surgery?
Have you had past head injuries? What happened, and how long did it take to recover?
Have you had any prior episodes of any of the symptoms you’re having now?

Whenever possible, the licensed health care professional should compare the patient’s baseline performance with post-injury performance. Consulting with family, friends, and school sources can help fill in this part of the clinical picture.

It’s important to get a good history, because there may be a strong relationship between previous issues and concussion symptoms. Note that some previous symptoms () may now be more exaggerated, and recovery may be variable. There may be more symptoms that last longer. ( will be discussed in greater detail later in this course.)