Memory recall/information retrieval challenges within the medical appointment: a review of the literature

Memory recall/information retrieval of a patient’s medical history within the medical appointment is reported to be ‘flawed, incomplete and erroneous’. This, despite the importance of medical history to the diagnostic process. Our systematic literature review explores the memory recall challenges reported in literature. Our analysis, identifies 49 publications that considers recall within the medical appointment. Rigorous examination using open coding techniques, has identified 227 concepts, compiled into 63 categories, three of which we have analysed in this paper. Our results point to the prevalence of three leading memory recall/information retrieval challenges reported over the past 43 years; forgetting, health literacy and emotional state. This affords stakeholders with a renewed appreciation regarding the struggle’s patients/carers have recalling their medical histories. Additionally, the review proposes a conceptual model of memory recall/information retrieval within the medical appointment. Furthermore, the analysis highlights the research gaps that exist, serving as suggestions for future potential enquiry.