3 days ago
Master the Cone Method for Better HPIs on Rounds
This transcript has been edited for clarity.
Let's talk about the cone method, a super effective way to ask questions, especially in clinical settings. Picture a cone: It starts wide at the top and narrows at the bottom. That's exactly how your questioning should go. Start broad and then get specific. For example, if a patient comes in with abdominal pain, you don't jump straight to 'Is it dull or sharp?'
You start with 'Tell me more about the pain.' That open-ended approach lets the patient tell their story without you leading them. Then, you slowly narrow in. 'Where is it located? When did it start? What makes it better or worse?' This method helps you get a full, more accurate picture without missing key details. It also makes patients feel heard — because they are.
And honestly, this works outside of medicine too. Whether you're interviewing someone, having a tough conversation, or just trying to understand a friend better, start wide, get curious, and then go deep.
