WWHAM questions

Who is it for? It may not be the customer who needs the treatment.

What are the symptoms? Ask the customer to describe all the symptoms so that you can establish what the most appropriate treatment will be and whether they need to be referred

How long have the symptoms been present? The symptoms may flare up and then disappear between episodes. Remember to ask the customer if they have had these symptoms in the past.

Action already taken? This will help establish if the customer has used a product that wasn't appropriate or hasn't helped.

Medication? It is important to refer customers who are taking other medication to the pharmacist.

When to refer to the pharmacist

• Abdominal discomfort which lasts for over a week
• Suspected undiagnosed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Pregnancy
• Pain that becomes more frequent or more severe
• Pain felt in or between the shoulder blades, with nausea
• Recent injury to the abdominal area
• Pain with difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Rigid abdomen, tender to the touch
• Vomiting blood
• Blood in the stools
• Inability to empty bowels, especially if vomiting.