Table 1 Actual student performance of the general physical examination in internal medicine
From: Student performance of the general physical examination in internal medicine: an observational study
Maneuver | Performed n = 100 | Performed adequate (%), if technique assessable | Performed, technique not assessable n = 100 |
|---|---|---|---|
Auscultation of the abdomen | 100 | 82 | 0 |
Measuring blood pressure | 100 | 77 | 0 |
Percussion of the lungfields | 100 | 57 | 5 |
Palpation of the lymph nodes of the head and neck | 100 | 54 | 15 |
Inspection of the oral cavity and pharynx | 100 | 9 | 6 |
Auscultation of the lungfields | 99 | 77 | 2 |
Light and deep palpation of the abdomen | 99 | 57 | 0 |
Auscultation of the heart | 98 | 91 | 0 |
Percussion of the abdomen | 98 | 61 | 0 |
Palpation of the dorsalis pedis artery | 97 | 100 | 1 |
Palpation of the liver | 97 | 41 | 0 |
Assessment of the level of diaphragmatic dullness | 95 | 82 | 10 |
Counting pulse rate | 94 | 97 | 0 |
Palpation of the posterior tibial artery | 92 | 95 | 2 |
Percussion of the liver span | 91 | 80 | 0 |
Palpation of the spleen | 91 | 45 | 2 |
Patellar tendon reflex | 91 | 94 | 3 |
Testing pupillary light reflex | 91 | 92 | 9 |
Assessment of sinus tenderness | 87 | 99 | 6 |
Auscultation of the carotid artery | 85 | 99 | 2 |
Palpation of the femoral artery | 85 | 82 | 0 |
Assessment of extraocular muscle strength | 85 | 68 | 4 |
Achilles tendon reflex | 83 | 84 | 16 |
Biceps tendon reflex | 80 | 90 | 0 |
Measuring jugular venous pressure | 78 | 46 | 8 |
Measuring weight | 76 | 100 | 0 |
Palpation carotid artery | 75 | 99 | 3 |
Examination of the thyroid gland | 75 | 75 | 3 |
Plantar reflex | 73 | 99 | 1 |
Measuring height | 72 | 100 | 0 |
Inspection of the conjunctiva | 72 | 100 | 3 |
Percussion of the heart | 71 | 37 | 0 |
Percussion of the spleen | 68 | 40 | 0 |
Measuring blood pressure standing | 65 | 62 | 2 |
Assessment of cardiac movements | 64 | 98 | 0 |
Measuring blood pressure on both arms | 61 | 98 | 0 |
Auscultation of the femoral artery | 56 | 91 | 0 |
Palpation of the popliteal artery | 56 | 77 | 0 |
Examination of peripheral edema | 48 | 79 | 0 |
Assessment of kidney tenderness | 43 | 100 | 0 |
Palpation of the inguinal lymph nodes | 38 | 71 | 0 |
Percussion of the spine | 37 | 100 | 0 |
Palpation of the axillary lymph nodes | 36 | 63 | 4 |
Global inspection of the extremities | 31 | 39 | 0 |
Palpation of the abdominal aorta | 30 | 43 | 0 |
Inspection of the abdomen | 22 | 95 | 0 |
Assessment of skin turgor | 19 | 90 | 0 |
Inspection of the chest | 16 | 94 | 0 |
Triceps tendon reflex | 11 | 63 | 0 |
Palpation of the breasts | 9 | 56 | 0 |
Counting breathing frequency | 6 | 100 | 0 |
Percussion of the bladder | 5 | 100 | 0 |
Applying vertical pressure to the spine | 2 | 100 | 0 |
Total inspection of the skin | 2 | 50 | 0 |
Assessment of sensibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Inspection of the breasts | 1 | 100 | 0 |
Assessment of the curvature and mobility of the spine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Assessment of strength of the upper extremities | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Assessment of strength of the lower extremities | 0 | 0 | 0 |