How often should the patient history form be completed?

The patient history form should be completed every year to ensure that the information collected is current and relevant. This regular update allows healthcare providers to account for changes in the patient's health, medications, allergies, and any new symptoms or issues that may have arisen since the last visit. Updating the history annually facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the patient's overall health and helps in making informed decisions regarding their eye care needs.

While completing the form every visit could seem beneficial, it may lead to redundancy and can overwhelm both the patient and the healthcare provider with unnecessary information if there have been no significant changes. A two-year interval might not be sufficient to capture potential changes in a patient’s health. Lastly, a six-month interval may not be necessary for most patients unless they have specific ongoing health issues that require close monitoring. Hence, annually strikes an optimal balance between staying updated and minimizing redundancy in patient care documentation.