anamnsis

Anamnesis, from Greek anamnēsis meaning recollection, is a term used in medicine to describe the patient's account of their health history obtained by a clinician. It is also a philosophical concept involving recollection of knowledge.

In clinical practice, anamnesis is gathered during an interview and forms the basis of patient assessment. It typically includes the chief complaint and history of present illness; past medical and surgical history; medications and allergies; immunizations; family history; social and occupational history; and a review of systems. The information helps establish diagnoses, guide management, assess risk factors, and plan further testing. Clinicians use open-ended questions, attentive listening, and, when needed, interpreters to elicit accurate information.

Limitations include recall bias, misunderstanding, and incomplete information. The anamnesis is augmented by the physical examination, laboratory and imaging results, and collateral information from family members or records. It remains a central clinical skill, essential for patient rapport and longitudinal care.

In philosophy, anamnesis refers to the theory that learning is a process of recollecting latent knowledge, notably in Plato's writings. The term is also used in other contexts to describe memory and recollection.