How to Take a Patient’s History in French

The French Term: L’anamnèse

The patient history in French medicine is called l’anamnèse. The word comes from Greek and is used in formal clinical and academic contexts. In everyday hospital conversation, you will more often hear l’interrogatoire (the clinical interview) or simply les antécédents (the medical background).

The structure of a French anamnèse follows the same logic as a SOAP note or a standard clinical history in anglophone medicine, but the vocabulary and conversational conventions differ. Here is how to navigate each section.

Step 1: Chief Complaint — Le Motif de Consultation

Always start with an open question that lets the patient tell their story without interruption. This is especially important in French medicine, where patients often feel that they are not listened to if cut off too quickly.

• Qu’est-ce qui vous amène aujourd’hui ? — What brings you in today?
• Quel est le problème principal qui vous a poussé à consulter ? — What is the main problem that made you seek care?
• Racontez-moi ce qui se passe. — Tell me what is happening. (slightly informal but warm)

Then narrow down to the core complaint:

• Si vous deviez résumer votre problème principal en une phrase, ce serait quoi ? — If you had to summarise your main problem in one sentence, what would it be?

Note in the record as: motif de consultation : douleur thoracique depuis 48 heures — chief complaint: chest pain for 48 hours.

Step 2: History of the Present Illness — L’Histoire de la Maladie Actuelle

Use the OPQRST method (widely used in French emergency and general medicine), or its French equivalent:

Additional useful phrases for this section:

• Avez-vous d’autres symptômes associés ? — Do you have any associated symptoms?
• Qu’est-ce qui soulage la douleur ? — What relieves the pain?
• Avez-vous déjà eu ça avant ? — Have you had this before?
• Est-ce que ça s’est aggravé récemment ? — Has it got worse recently?

For an extended vocabulary list for describing pain and symptoms, see our article on pain, symptoms, and injuries in French.

Step 3: Past Medical History — Les Antécédents Médicaux

In French medical records, past history is abbreviated as ATCD (antécédents). You will see this constantly in notes and discharge letters. There are two main categories:

• ATCD médicaux — medical history (chronic conditions, previous illnesses)
• ATCD chirurgicaux — surgical history

Key phrases

• Avez-vous des antécédents médicaux connus ? — Do you have any known medical history?
• Avez-vous des maladies chroniques ? — Do you have any chronic conditions?
• Avez-vous déjà été hospitalisé(e) ? — Have you ever been hospitalised?
• Avez-vous subi des interventions chirurgicales ? — Have you had any surgical procedures?
• Avez-vous eu des accidents ou des traumatismes importants ? — Have you had any significant accidents or injuries?

Common conditions to check for explicitly

• l’hypertension artérielle (HTA) — hypertension
• le diabète — diabetes
• les maladies cardiovasculaires — cardiovascular disease
• l’asthme / la BPCO — asthma / COPD
• les antécédents de cancer — cancer history
• les troubles psychiatriques — psychiatric conditions

Step 4: Current Medications — Les Traitements en Cours

• Prenez-vous des médicaments en ce moment ? — Are you currently taking any medication?
• Avez-vous votre liste de médicaments avec vous ? — Do you have your medication list with you?
• Prenez-vous des médicaments sans ordonnance ? Des compléments alimentaires ? De l’homéopathie ? — Do you take any over-the-counter medications? Supplements? Homeopathic remedies?
• Avez-vous arrêté un médicament récemment ? — Have you recently stopped a medication?

In France, patients often have a traitement de fond (baseline long-term treatment) for chronic conditions — hypertension, diabetes, thyroid conditions — and may not think of these as worth mentioning because they are so routine. Always prompt explicitly.

For vocabulary around prescriptions and how to discuss dosages and administration, see our article on talking about medication and treatments in French.

Step 5: Allergies — Les Allergies

• Avez-vous des allergies médicamenteuses connues ? — Do you have any known drug allergies?
• Avez-vous des allergies alimentaires ? — Do you have any food allergies?
• Si oui, quelle réaction avez-vous eue ? — If so, what reaction did you have?
• Avez-vous déjà eu un choc anaphylactique ? — Have you ever had an anaphylactic shock?

In French clinical notes, allergies are recorded as: Allergie : amoxicilline — urticaire or Pas d’allergie connue (no known allergies).

Step 6: Family History — Les Antécédents Familiaux

• Y a-t-il des maladies qui reviennent dans votre famille ? — Are there any conditions that run in your family?
• Vos parents sont-ils vivants ? Sont-ils en bonne santé ? — Are your parents alive? Are they in good health?
• Avez-vous des antécédents familiaux de maladies cardiaques / de cancer / de diabète ? — Do you have a family history of heart disease / cancer / diabetes?
• De quoi sont décédés vos parents / grands-parents ? — What did your parents / grandparents die of?

Step 7: Social and Lifestyle History — L’Anamnèse Sociale

In France, the social history section of a clinical interview covers professional situation, living conditions, and habits. It is somewhat less standardised than in anglophone systems but is becoming more important as social determinants of health gain attention.

• Quelle est votre situation professionnelle ? — What is your professional situation?
• Vivez-vous seul(e) ou en famille ? — Do you live alone or with family?
• Fumez-vous ? Depuis combien de temps ? — Do you smoke? For how long?
• Consommez-vous de l’alcool ? Combien de verres par semaine ? — Do you drink alcohol? How many drinks per week?
• Avez-vous une activité physique régulière ? — Do you exercise regularly?
• Comment décririez-vous votre alimentation en général ? — How would you describe your diet in general?

For women specifically

• Êtes-vous enceinte ou pourriez-vous l’être ? — Are you pregnant or could you be?
• Quel est votre suivi gynécologique ? — What is your gynaecological follow-up?
• Avez-vous des enfants ? Y a-t-il eu des complications obstétricales ? — Do you have children? Were there any obstetric complications?

Recording the History: Abbreviations to Know

French clinical notes are dense with abbreviations. When you review a patient’s previous history, or write up your own notes, these are essential. For a full list, see our guide to French medical abbreviations.