What type of questions will a doctor ask to obtain specific information from a patient?

Closed questions are utilized by doctors to obtain specific information from a patient because they require a brief, precise answer, typically "yes" or "no." This type of questioning is effective for gathering factual data, such as a patient's medical history, symptoms, or responses to treatment. For example, asking "Have you ever had surgery?" prompts a straightforward response that helps the physician quickly assess the patient's background and current health status.

In contrast, while open questions encourage detailed responses and allow patients to express themselves more fully, they may not yield the targeted information that closed questions can provide. Leading questions might influence a patient's response, and compound questions can confuse the patient by asking multiple things at once, complicating the clarity and accuracy of the information gathered. Therefore, using closed questions is a strategic approach in a medical context to efficiently and effectively collect necessary data.