Lesson 1Systematic symptom inquiry: sleep, mood, cognition, weight, feversLearn a step-by-step method to probe symptoms in tired patients, including sleep patterns, emotions, thinking, hunger, weight shifts, fevers, night sweats, and aches, to shape a sharp list of possibilities and direct tests.
Clarifying nonrestorative sleep and snoringScreening for low mood, anhedonia, and anxietyAssessing concentration, memory, and brain fogAsking about weight change and appetite shiftsEvaluating fevers, chills, sweats, and myalgiasLesson 2How to ask about psychiatric symptoms: depression, anxiety, PTSDThis part teaches gentle, trauma-aware ways to inquire about depression, anxiety, PTSD, and linked issues, employing proven screening aids, reassuring words, and pointed follow-ups on dangers and daily struggles.
Using PHQ-2 and PHQ-9 in fatigue evaluationScreening for generalized anxiety symptomsTrauma-informed questions about PTSD featuresAssessing suicidality and self-harm riskExploring sleep, guilt, and concentration changesLesson 3Framing questions to elicit sleep hygiene, shift work, and circadian issuesFocuses on sharp questions about sleep routines, habits, night shifts, and body clock problems, to separate lifestyle sleep troubles from core sleep ailments and health-related tiredness.
Characterizing bedtime, wake time, and variabilityCaffeine, alcohol, and sedative use before sleepScreening for shift work and rotating schedulesIdentifying jet lag and circadian misalignmentBedroom environment and pre-sleep routinesLesson 4Medication, substance, and supplement review focused on fatigue causesDetailed check of prescribed medicines, over-the-counter items, drugs, and supplements causing or increasing tiredness, with exact phrasing and tips to boost honest patient sharing.
Identifying sedating and anticholinergic drugsScreening for beta-blockers and antihypertensivesAsking about alcohol, cannabis, and illicit drugsReviewing OTC antihistamines and sleep aidsDocumenting herbal and dietary supplement useLesson 5Functional impact and screening for red flags (work, ADLs, safety)Assess fatigue's toll on job, studies, driving, daily tasks, and spot danger signs like heart-lung issues, infections, cancers, or suicide thoughts needing quick checks or specialist care.
Assessing work and school performance changesEvaluating ADLs, IADLs, and caregiver rolesScreening for cardiopulmonary red flag symptomsIdentifying infection, malignancy, and weight lossAssessing safety risks including falls and drivingLesson 6Principles of focused history-taking in primary careExplains structuring a targeted tiredness history in general practice, balancing detail with time, mixing open-closed questions, safety first, and suiting the chat to age, other illnesses, and visit type.
Setting agenda and clarifying patient concernsUsing open-ended questions to start historyTargeted review of systems for fatigueBalancing thoroughness with time constraintsAdapting history to acute vs chronic fatigueLesson 7Documentation templates and succinct handoff language for preceptorsMaster concise, issue-based tiredness history notes with templates, key terms, structured checks, and crisp verbal updates stressing dangers and next steps.
SOAP note structure for fatigue encountersEfficient phrasing of pertinent positivesDocumenting pertinent negatives and red flagsSummarizing functional impact and safety issuesOrganizing a clear, concise verbal handoffLesson 8Assessing menstrual, menopausal, and endocrine history in middle-aged patientsTeaches gathering periods, menopause, thyroid, and hormone details in mid-life tired patients, covering cycles, hot flushes, treatments, and risks for gland problems.
Characterizing menstrual regularity and flowScreening for perimenopausal vasomotor symptomsHistory of hormone therapy and contraceptivesTargeted thyroid and adrenal symptom questionsAssessing diabetes and metabolic syndrome risksLesson 9Targeted family and social history questions relevant to fatigueGather focused family and social details tied to tiredness, like inherited issues, family care load, work hazards, money worries, and habits affecting rest and vigour.
Family history of thyroid and autoimmune diseaseHereditary sleep, cardiac, and mood disordersAssessing caregiving roles and burnout riskOccupational demands and environmental exposuresFinancial, housing, and food insecurity screeningLesson 10Temporal features: onset, duration, pattern, triggersCharacterise tiredness timeline: start, length, daily rhythm, sparks, and relievers, to split short-term from long-term and spot infection, gland, or mind health hints.
Clarifying acute, subacute, or chronic onsetDaily pattern and variability of fatigueIdentifying exertional and cognitive triggersRelieving factors and rest responseTemporal links to illness, stress, or events
