Physical Examination - Medical Data
Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2002 11:33 am
Colleagues
I must add my voice to that of others who recommend a physical examination
of the patient - when this is necessary.
This is part of the psychology of the consultation.
You should be able to pick up the vibs of the patient about a particular set
of local symptoms and what they may wish you to do..
Unless it is immediately visible, you can make sure of the boundaries by
asking "Would you like me to see it?"
I f I need to touch I ask permission and say what I am going to do.
It is also good to share your findings with them.
This has many advantages
If the pt wants you to see it, they will show you and you can ascertain the
description given to you.
You can also feels for hardness, colour etc of the physical problems.
This gives the patient the feeling that you are interested in what ails
him/her.
[This is not a question of believing in your patients - the patients may not
have all the fact or faculties about them to tell you!]
If the patient offers you lab test results, X-Rays etc, ALWAYS study them
and make notes if you can. This often happens during the first consultation
and is one of the first things they offer you. How you react to this
offering will set the mood for the rest of the interview.
In such situations, the patient has brought them with him for what reason?
For you to see them. If you do not look at them, they may feel rejected.
If they feel rejected, they may reject your remedy.
This is especially true about people who know nothing about Homoeopathy,
have come to see you at the recommendation of a friend and are very used to
being treated allopathically. (been there, done that).....
Just one last point, if the patient reports the colour of discharges eg
expectoration, always ask about the colour of tissue too!!
Regards
Soroush
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I must add my voice to that of others who recommend a physical examination
of the patient - when this is necessary.
This is part of the psychology of the consultation.
You should be able to pick up the vibs of the patient about a particular set
of local symptoms and what they may wish you to do..
Unless it is immediately visible, you can make sure of the boundaries by
asking "Would you like me to see it?"
I f I need to touch I ask permission and say what I am going to do.
It is also good to share your findings with them.
This has many advantages
If the pt wants you to see it, they will show you and you can ascertain the
description given to you.
You can also feels for hardness, colour etc of the physical problems.
This gives the patient the feeling that you are interested in what ails
him/her.
[This is not a question of believing in your patients - the patients may not
have all the fact or faculties about them to tell you!]
If the patient offers you lab test results, X-Rays etc, ALWAYS study them
and make notes if you can. This often happens during the first consultation
and is one of the first things they offer you. How you react to this
offering will set the mood for the rest of the interview.
In such situations, the patient has brought them with him for what reason?
For you to see them. If you do not look at them, they may feel rejected.
If they feel rejected, they may reject your remedy.
This is especially true about people who know nothing about Homoeopathy,
have come to see you at the recommendation of a friend and are very used to
being treated allopathically. (been there, done that).....
Just one last point, if the patient reports the colour of discharges eg
expectoration, always ask about the colour of tissue too!!
Regards
Soroush
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]