Question

Why is it helpful to know the social history of a patient?

1) To understand the patient's background and upbringing.
2) To assess the patient's social support system.
3) To identify potential risk factors or stressors in the patient's life.
4) All of the above.

Answer 1

Knowing the social history of a patient is helpful for understanding their background and upbringing, assessing their social support system, and identifying potential risk factors or stressors in their life that may impact their health.

Step-by-step explanation:

Knowing the social history of a patient is helpful for several reasons:

1. To understand the patient's background and upbringing, which can provide insights into their values, beliefs, and experiences that may influence their health behaviors and attitudes.
2. To assess the patient's social support system, which is important for predicting health outcomes. Research shows that individuals with stronger social relationships have a greater likelihood of survival compared to those with weak or insufficient social relationships.
3. To identify potential risk factors or stressors in the patient's life that may impact their health. Social factors such as social status, resource inequality, and lack of control and predictability can contribute to high stress and poor health.

Therefore, all of the above reasons make it helpful to know the social history of a patient.