History and physical examination a common sense approach pdf

A History of Physical Examination Texts and the Conception of Bedside Diagnosis

A physical examination , medical examination , or clinical examination is the process by which a medical practitioner examines the body of a patient for any possible signs or symptoms of a medical condition. It generally consists of a series of questions regarding patient medical history followed by an examination of the symptoms. Together, the medical history and the physical examination aids in determining the correct diagnosis and devising the treatment plan. This data then becomes part of the medical record. The physical examination may be used to investigate a patient's symptoms or complaints or as a routine screening procedure in an asymptomatic patient, in which case it is referred to as a routine physical , general medical examination or check-up. A Cochrane Collaboration meta-study found that routine annual physicals did not measurably reduce the risk of illness or death, and conversely, could lead to over-diagnosis and over-treatment; however, this article does not conclude that being in regular communication with a doctor is not important, simply that an actual physical examination may not be necessary. The routine physical , also known as general medical examination , periodic health evaluation , annual physical , comprehensive medical exam , general health check , preventive health examination , medical check-up , or simply medical , is a physical examination performed on an asymptomatic patient for medical screening purposes.