The episode of care begins with the reason why the patient consults the doctor. It is a period of direct communication, in which the patient transmits his situation or doubts, where he gives his explanations and relaxes, and the doctor actively listens, creating a climate of serenity and security, to understand his needs.

In the clinical history it is collected with the literal expression offered by the patient, and serves as a trigger for the decisions and actions that the health professional will take.

There may be one or several reasons for consultation in the same meeting between patient and doctor, and all of them should be expressed at the beginning of the clinical interview to facilitate their subsequent approach.

In the case of stating more than one, they can be ranked according to various parameters (urgency, seriousness, resolution, etc.). Reason for consultation should not be confused with a health problem.

The first is the reason for health care requested by the patient and recorded in her words. While the health problem and the medical diagnosis are the product of the clinical method applied by the doctor to assign a name (generally standardized in some professional classification) to the illness suffered by the patient.

Recording the reason for consultation is not only of clinical interest, but also serves to facilitate research.