What is the purpose of the "Review of Systems" (ROS)?

The "Review of Systems" (ROS) serves a critical role in the holistic assessment of a patient by systematically evaluating each body system to identify any symptoms or concerns the patient may have. This comprehensive approach ensures that no potential health issues are overlooked during the evaluation process. By examining various systems of the body—such as cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal—the clinician can gather relevant information that may not have been initially mentioned by the patient. This thorough assessment enables the healthcare provider to form a more complete picture of the patient's health status and guides further diagnostic and treatment decisions.

While some other aspects, such as eliminating unnecessary tests and determining activity levels, may be tangentially related to the overall assessment, they do not encompass the full purpose of the ROS. Focusing only on mental health issues ignores the holistic nature of the assessment, which aims to incorporate all aspects of a patient's health. The ROS is intended to capture a complete health history rather than limiting the scope to specific issues.