Urological History Taking

Table of Contents

Urological history taking is an important skill that is often assessed in the OSCE setting. It’s important to have a systematic approach to ensure you don’t miss any key information. The guide below provides a framework to take a thorough urological history.

Check out the urological history taking mark scheme here.

Opening the consultation

Introduce yourself – name/role

Confirm patient details – name/DOB

Explain the need to take a history

Gain consent

Ensure the patient is comfortable

Presenting complaint

It’s important to use open questioning to elicit the patient’s presenting complaint

“So what’s brought you in today?” or “Tell me about your symptoms”

Allow the patient time to answer, trying not to interrupt or direct the conversation.

Facilitate the patient to expand on their presenting complaint if required.

“Ok, so tell me more about that” “Can you explain what that pain was like?”

History of presenting complaint

Pain – if pain is a symptom, clarify the details of the pain using SOCRATES

Site – where is the pain
Onset – duration? / sudden vs gradual?
Character – sharp / dull ache / burning
Radiation – does the pain move anywhere else?
Associations – other symptoms associated with the pain (e.g. fever)
Time course – worsening / improving / fluctuating
Exacerbating / Relieving factors – does anything make the pain worse or better?
Severity – on a scale of 0-10 how severe is the pain?

Key urological symptoms:

Dysuria
Frequency
Urgency
Nocturia
Haematuria
Hesitancy and terminal dribbling
Poor urinary stream
Incontinence
Fever/rigors – suggestive of infection/urosepsis
Nausea/vomiting – often associated with pyelonephritis

If any of the above symptoms are present, gain further details

Onset – When did the symptom start? / Was the onset acute or gradual?

Duration – Minutes / hours / days / weeks / months / years

Severity – i.e. If the symptom was frequency – how many times a day?

Course – Is the symptom worsening, improving, or continuing to fluctuate?

Intermittent or continuous? – Is the symptom always present or does it come and go?

Precipitating factors – Are there any obvious triggers for the symptom?

Relieving factors – Does anything appear to improve the symptoms?

Previous episodes – Has the patient experienced this symptom previously?

Ideas, Concerns and Expectations

Ideas – what are the patient’s thoughts regarding their symptoms?

Concerns – explore any worries the patient may have regarding their symptoms

Expectations – gain an understanding of what the patient is hoping to achieve from the consultation

Summarising

Summarise what the patient has told you about their presenting complaint.

This allows you to check your understanding regarding everything the patient has told you.

It also allows the patient to correct any inaccurate information and expand further on certain aspects.

Once you have summarised, ask the patient if there’s anything else that you’ve overlooked.

Continue to periodically summarise as you move through the rest of the history.

Signposting

Signposting involves explaining to the patient:

What you have covered – “Ok, so we’ve talked about your symptoms and your concerns regarding them”
What you plan to cover next – “Now I’d like to discuss your past medical history and your medications”

Past medical history

Urological diseases:

Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Incontinence – stress incontinence / functional incontinence
Prostate issues – benign prostatic hypertrophy / prostate cancer
Renal – renal stones / pyelonephritis / chronic renal failure

Other medical conditions – e.g. diabetes predisposes to UTIs

Surgical history – cystoscopy / bladder surgery / renal surgery

Acute hospital admissions? – when and why?

Drug history

Relevant prescribed medication:

Diuretics – may contribute to nocturia / incontinence
Alpha blockers – commonly used in prostatic enlargement
Nephrotoxic agents – e.g. ACE inhibitor – consider suspension
Antibiotics – those with recurrent UTIs take prophylactic antibiotics

Other regular medications

Over the counter drugs

Herbal remedies

ALLERGIES – ensure to document these clearly

Family history

Urological disease – increased risk of renal stones if parents previously affected

Are parents still in good health? – if deceased sensitively determine age and cause of death

Social history

Smoking – How many cigarettes a day? How many years have they smoked for?

Alcohol – How many units a week? – type / volume / strength of alcohol

Recreational drug use

Living situation:

House/bungalow? – adaptations / stairs
Who lives with the patient? – is the patient supported at home?
Any carer input? – what level of care do they receive?

Activities of daily living:

Is the patient independent and able to fully care for themselves?
Can they manage self-hygiene/housework/food shopping?

Occupation – increased risk of bladder cancer in those working in specific industries – industrial dyes/textiles/rubber/plastics/leather tanning