Medical Students Learning to Take a Complete Military History

Many United States military personnel are not full-time service members. Because of their part-time service, these veterans may not self-report their military service during medical visits. Consequently, past military service can be overlooked when taking a social history. We developed a case to provide preclinical medical students patient interview experience wherein the diagnosis relied on identifying past military service. Our objective was to determine if medical record write-ups included social history details about occupational information after this innovation.

We conducted this case discussion in small groups during year 1 of medical school. We analyzed clinical skills examination write-ups before and after the case discussion to determine if the social history included occupational issues.

Initial results showed increased occupational issues as potential diagnoses or contributing factors.

This case methodology specifically raised awareness of health issues related to military service and generally increased students' likelihood of identifying occupational risk factors when conducting the social history. The template for this military case will allow us to develop additional cases focusing on different occupational health issues to complement other organ systems blocks.