"Hello, I’m [Your Name], one of the doctors. I understand you've come in today because you've been experiencing some abdominal pain. Is that right?"
"Before we go any further, what are your thoughts about what might be causing this pain?"
"And is there anything in particular you're concerned about, or anything you were hoping we could achieve today?"
"Could you please tell me exactly where the pain is? Can you point to it with one finger?"
"When did this pain first start, and did it come on suddenly or gradually?"
"What does the pain feel like? Is it sharp, dull, burning, cramping, aching?"
"Does the pain spread anywhere else, like to your back or shoulder?"
"Are there any other symptoms you've noticed accompanying this pain, such as nausea, vomiting, or changes in your bowel habits?"
"Does the pain come and go, or is it constant? If it comes and goes, how long does each episode last?"
"What makes the pain better or worse? For example, does eating certain foods, changing position, or taking painkillers affect it?"
"On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst pain imaginable, how would you rate your pain right now? And how has it been affecting your daily activities?"
"Regarding your stomach and bowels, have you had any nausea or vomiting? Any changes in your appetite or has your weight changed recently?"
"Have you noticed any blood in your vomit or stool, or any black, tarry stools?"
"How about your bowel movements – have you been constipated or had diarrhoea?"
"Have you noticed if your skin or the whites of your eyes have become yellow (jaundice)?"
"Moving to your waterworks, have you had any pain when passing urine, or are you going to the toilet more often? Any blood in your urine?"
"If appropriate: For women, have you had any unusual vaginal discharge, bleeding, or pelvic pain?"
"Do you have any other medical conditions that I should be aware of, like diabetes, heart problems, or any previous stomach or bowel issues?"
"Have you ever had any operations, especially on your tummy?"
"Are you currently taking any medications, including anything prescribed by a doctor, or any over-the-counter medicines, supplements, or herbal remedies?"
"Do you have any allergies to medications or anything else?"
"Does anyone in your close family suffer from any stomach or bowel conditions?"
"To help me get a full picture, could you tell me a little about your social circumstances? Do you live alone or with others? Are you able to manage all your daily activities?"
"Do you smoke, and if so, how much?"
"How much alcohol do you drink in a week?"
"Do you use any recreational drugs?"
"What's your typical diet like? Have you noticed any recent changes in your diet or fluid intake?"
"If appropriate: Can I ask about your sexual history, or is there any chance you might be pregnant?"
"Thank you for sharing all that information with me. Just to summarise, you've been experiencing [recap key points of pain and associated symptoms]. You've also mentioned [recap relevant PMH/DH/FH/SH]."
"Does that sound right? Is there anything else you think is important that we haven't covered?"
"Based on what you've told me, the next step would be for me to perform a physical examination of your abdomen, and then we might consider some investigations, perhaps some blood tests or a scan, to understand what's causing this pain."
"Do you have any questions for me at this stage?"
"Thank you very much for your time."