Several recent studies have described a decline in physical examination skills among modern physicians. Hypothetical reasons for this change are improvements in technology and time constraints.
It is necessary that you NEVER neglect these aspects during the physical examination
Poor physical examination skills are a notable threat to patient safety as they can lead to incorrect or misdiagnoses. This causes delays in the timely implementation of life-saving treatments.
Therefore, in addition to doing it in a mandatory way in all patients. It is necessary that you NEVER neglect these aspects during the physical examination.
The first part of any exam is to observe. Learn to observe. Look before you touch or feel any part of the skin. Examination of the cardiovascular or respiratory system does not begin with the stethoscope.
You can get valuable information from the appearance of a person’s face, the color of the skin. As well as their way of walking, handshake and personal hygiene (reflecting the physical, psychological and social background).
What else needs to be taken into account?
Be careful with the modesty of people.
Beyond the trust you have with certain patients, this is a point that you should never neglect. Therefore, in your office you should always have an area designated solely for your patient to undress and put on her clothes in case the physical exam requires it.
Put up a screen to isolate this area. When performing the exam, you should know that there is a limit between professionally examining your patient’s body to detect a condition and respecting her modesty. Do this by providing your patient with a gown and going through her body in parts.
If you are a male doctor and you have to check on a woman, it is convenient that a nurse is present to make the patient feel confident and comfortable. Mainly if it is a breast or gynecological exam.
Be careful.
The last thing your patient wants is to feel more pain or discomfort from their illness. So when checking, (when palpating, for example) try to be very careful not to cause more pain.
Do not forget to have everything you need before performing the physical exam. For the review to be successful, try to have the following accessories on hand:
- Stretcher
- Stethoscope
- Baumanometer
- Weighing machine
- tongue depressor
- Cotton
- Latex gloves, among other items
Never forget these tips and let people speak well of you.
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