Table 1.

Exploring the meaning of illness

Explanatory model

What do you think has caused your problem? What do you call it?

Why do you think it started when it did?

How does it affect your life?

How severe is it? What worries you the most?

What kind of treatment do you think would work?

The patient’s agenda

How can I be most helpful to you?

What is most important for you?

Illness behavior

Have you seen anyone else about this problem besides a “physician”?*

Have you used non-medical remedies or treatment for your problem?

Who advises you about your health?

From material cited in Carrillo JE et al. Cross-cultural primary care: a patient-based approach.

^*Note: Any medical or nursing clinician can be referenced here i.e. nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, nurse, etc.