7/27/2019 fizikal.doc

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A physical examination, medical examination, or clinical examination (more popularly

known as a check-up or medical) is the process by which a medical professional investigates

the body of a  patient for signs of disease. It generally follows the taking of the medical

history  an account of the symptoms as experienced by the patient. !ogether with the

medical history, the physical examination aids in determining the correct diagnosis and

devising the treatment plan. !his data then becomes part of the medical record.A "ochrane "ollaboration 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. !he authors concluded that routine physicals were unlikely to do more good than

harm.#$%

&edical uses#edit%

A physical examination may be provided under health insurance cover, re'uired of new

insurance customers, or stipulated as a condition of employment (in this case, it is called pre

employment medical clearance). !his is a part of theinsurance medicine. In the nited tates,

 physicals are also marketed to patients as a one-stop health review, avoiding the

inconvenience of attending multiple appointments with different healthcare providers.#*%

#+% "omprehensive physical exams of this type are also known as executive physicals, andtypically include laboratory tests, chest x-rays, pulmonary function testing, audiograms, full

 body "A! scanning, s, heart stress tests, vascular age tests, urinalysis, and

mammograms or prostate exams depending on gender.#/% #0% !he executive physical format

was developed from the $123s by the &ayo "linic and is now offered by other health

 providers, including 4ohns 5opkins niversity, lite5ealth and &ount inai in 6ew 7ork

"ity. xecutive physicals are also the primary service of concierge doctors who claim to do a

more thorough examination for a cash premium on top of the insurance coverage.#8%

9hile elective physical exams have become more elaborate, in routine use physical exams

have become less complete. !his has led to editorials in medical :ournals about the

importance of an ade'uate physical examination. #2% #;% In addition to the possibility of

identifying signs of illness, it has been described as a ritual that plays a significant role in the

doctor-patient relationship.#1% <hysicians at tanford niversity medical school have

introduced a set of *0 key physical examination skills that were felt to be useful. #$3%