What is the purpose of a Review of Systems (ROS) in patient evaluation?

The purpose of a Review of Systems (ROS) in patient evaluation is to gather information on various body systems and identify potential symptoms the patient may be experiencing. This systematic approach allows healthcare providers to capture relevant information about how different parts of the body are functioning and to detect any abnormalities or issues that may not have been previously discussed.

The ROS typically includes a series of standard questions that cover multiple organ systems, such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, neurological, and more. By doing this, the provider can obtain a clearer picture of the patient's overall health status, guide further assessments, and formulate a more targeted plan of care.

This focus on identifying symptoms across body systems distinguishes the Review of Systems from other elements such as summarizing lifestyle choices or providing a medical history, which serve different purposes within the patient evaluation process.