"Hello, I’m [Your Name], one of the doctors/nurses. I understand you've come in today because you've had a fall. Is that right?"
"Before we go any further, what are your thoughts about what might have caused you to fall, or what it might mean?"
"And is there anything in particular that you're worried about, or anything you were hoping we could achieve during our conversation today, perhaps preventing future falls?"
"Could you please tell me about this fall? When exactly did it happen – date and time? Where were you, and what were you doing just before it happened?"
"Did you have any warning signs before the fall, like feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or having palpitations? Did your vision blur, or did you feel unwell in any way?"
"Can you describe the nature of the fall? Did you trip, slip, or did your legs just give way? How did you land? Did you hit your head?"
"Did you lose consciousness at any point during or after the fall? Do you remember everything about the fall, or are there any gaps in your memory?"
"After the fall, were you able to get up by yourself, or did you need assistance? How did you feel immediately after – any pain, weakness, or confusion?"
"Was anyone with you when you fell, or did anyone witness the fall? If so, would it be okay for me to speak with them later to get their perspective, especially if you're feeling a bit uncertain about the details?"
"How do you feel now? Are you experiencing any pain, weakness, or any other new symptoms since the fall?"
"How has this fall impacted you? Are you worried about falling again? Has it affected your confidence or your ability to move around?"
"Have you had any falls before this one? If so, how many, and what were the circumstances? Were they similar to this one, and did you sustain any injuries?"
"Do you have any existing medical conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, a history of stroke or epilepsy, heart rhythm problems, low blood pressure when standing up (orthostatic hypotension), dementia, visual impairment, arthritis, osteoporosis?"
"Have you ever had any operations or procedures?"
"Are you currently taking any medications, including anything prescribed by a doctor, or any over-the-counter medicines, supplements, or herbal remedies? Some medications, like sleeping tablets, certain painkillers, or blood pressure medications, can sometimes increase the risk of falls."
"Have you noticed any side effects from your medications, such as dizziness, lightheadedness, or feeling drowsy?"
"Do you have any allergies to medications or anything else? If so, what kind of reaction did you have?"
"Does anyone in your close family have a history of neurological conditions, or conditions like osteoporosis?"
"Could you tell me a little about your living situation? What type of accommodation do you live in? Who do you live with, and do you have a good support network around you? How do you manage with your daily activities, like getting dressed or preparing meals? Do you have any care needs?"
"Are there any hazards in your home that might have contributed to the fall, like loose rugs, poor lighting, or clutter? Do you use any mobility aids, like a walker or cane, and do they feel stable?"
"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 fluid intake like? How about your diet and exercise habits?"
"What kind of work do you do, and are there any high-risk activities involved? Regarding driving, it's important that we assess if your falls impact your ability to drive safely."
"Are there any safeguarding concerns that I should be aware of?"
"Thank you very much for sharing all of that information with me. Just to summarise, you had a fall on [date/time] while [activity], and you experienced [recap key symptoms/events before, during, and after the fall]. You've also mentioned [recap relevant PMH/DH/FH/SH]."
"Does that sound like an accurate summary? Is there anything else you feel is important that we haven't covered?"
"Based on what you've told me, the next steps would be for me to perform a physical examination, including assessing your gait and balance. We might also consider some investigations, such as blood tests, an ECG, or a review of your medications. We could also arrange a home hazards assessment or a referral to a falls clinic to help prevent future falls."
"Do you have any questions for me at this stage?"
"Thank you for your time."