The psychiatric physical examination - Part I: methodology
Summers, W.K.; Munoz, R.A.; Read, M.R.
Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 42(3): 95-98
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0160-6689 PMID: 7204357 Document Number: 180389
The frequency of medical findings in psychiatric patients is quite high. Regardless, none of the responding psychiatrists in a recent survey do routine physical examinations. In response to this survey, the authors describe a method of rapid physical examination specifically designed for the psychiatric patient. The average duration of the examination in 75 patients was 16.9 minutes. There was no evidence of negative transference or countertransference. The level of competency required was that of a medical student, yet there were 8.2 physical findings per patient with 5.3 physical findings per patient being unknown previously.