Physical examination

A physical examination, medical examination, or clinical examination (more popularly known as a check-up) 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. Together with the medical history, the physical examination aids in determining the correct diagnosis and devising the treatment plan. This data then becomes part of the medical record.

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. The authors concluded that routine physicals were unlikely to do more good than harm.

Types

Routine physicals

Routine physicals are physical examinations performed on asymptomatic patients for medical screening purposes. These are normally performed by a pediatrician, family practice physician, nurse practitioner, or other primary care provider. This routine physical exam usually includes the HEENT evaluation.

Check-Up

Check-Up was a Canadian medical information television series which aired on CBC Television in 1963.

Premise

The series was produced by the CBC in co-operation with the Canadian Medical Association. Each episode concerned a particular medical condition and featured doctors conducting a diagnosis and treatment of a patient. This was followed by host Lloyd Robertson and a guest panel who interviewed the physician who discussed how the treatment plan was developed. The programme concluded with a follow-up of the patient

Production

Norrie Swanson of the Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Association served as consultant for Check-Up. Denny Spence produced the series with Eric Koch as supervising producer.

Scheduling

The half-hour series aired Mondays at 7:30 p.m. (Eastern) from 8 July to 23 September 1963.

References

External links