Abstract
Some changes in medicine are good—some are not. Some changes are perceptible—some are not. New advances, new drugs, new treatments replace the old. Tried and unproved methods of diagnosis or treatment quietly fade away. The problem list and problem-oriented notes are useful additions to the proved and traditional methods of gathering and recording data. The format of chief complaint, present illness, past history, family history, review of systems, and physical examination has remained unchanged for many years. However, something insidious and disturbing is happening to the chief complaint. We are taught to ask the patient, What's the main thing that's bothering you?; Why did you come to see the doctor?; What's the major problem that brought you to the hospital?. We then record the chief complaint in the patient's own words: My chest hurts; My eyes itch; My period is late; tired all the time; I believe I'm losing
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