How to interview a patient with weight loss
Other platforms explain it with text and video. In VMS you practice it on the patient.
Losing more than about 5% of body weight in 6 to 12 months without trying needs a cause.
Step by step
Introduce yourself and get consent
Ask permission to talk about weight and eating. [1]
How much and how fast
Starting weight, current weight, over how long. Check old records if possible. [2]
Trying or not?
Diet or exercise, or unexplained. [2]
Appetite and intake
Eating less or eating normally? Trouble swallowing, pain after eating, money or access to food. [3]
Symptoms by system
Fever, night sweats, cough, bowel changes, blood in stool, excessive thirst, heat intolerance, palpitations. [3]
Mood and thinking
Low mood, loss of interest, memory problems, living alone. [3]
Habits and medicines
Smoking, alcohol, drugs, new medicines. [3]
Summarize and plan
Explain the next tests. [1]
Common errors
- Not measuring how much weight was lost.
- Skipping depression and food access.
- Missing night sweats and fever.
Practice it in VMS
In VMS you do this on the patient, not on paper: every step goes on the checklist with a score, and in Teach mode Blocky tells you what comes next.
VMS cases that train this skill
Sources
- AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs)
- NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations
- NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint
Facts and steps follow NBOME COMLEX-USA clinical presentations; NCCPA PANCE Content Blueprint; AAMC Core Entrustable Professional Activities (Core EPAs). VMS is not affiliated with these organizations. Updated: 2026-10-11.