Doctors physically examining and listening can diagnose illness better

Hyderabad: Physical examination of a patient is the checkup done by doctors, which is normally preceded by questions about the personal and family history of illnesses and symptoms of the current ailment. But this was in the good old days. 

Today, things are vastly different. To begin with, general practitioners are disappearing. Most doctors are specialists. Second, even a visit to a doctor for a cough and cold could mean a series of tests that add up to a huge bill. 

With so many ailments that could start from a simple cough and cold, doctors don’t want to take a chance. But frustrated patients feel if the doctors would spend more time physically examining them and listening to them, it would be more effective as well comforting for their pockets. 

There is still a small but significant league of doctors who feel the same. Dr Hari Kishan, a senior consultant physician, said, “Physical examination cuts down on unnecessary costs. It is crucial for the diagnosis of a patient. We ask about history, symptoms and so on before the examination which helps us get a better idea of the illness. Tests are to substantiate what we find. There have been cases of X-rays not being able to diagnose pneumonia as the infected area is small or to the back of the lungs. Similarly to find out lumps, we have to conduct a physical examination.” 

Patients also believe that a physical examination helps in diagnosis. “I have visited the same general physician for many years and he does a checkup starting from my pulse count to placing a stethoscope on my back and asking me to breathe. I might not know what it is for but it shows that the doctor is trying to get to the root of the problem and not just taking fees and assigning expensive tests. I had a stomach infection and the doctor pressed my stomach at various parts to know the infected area,” says Savitiri Sunil, a patient. Some doctors claim that physical examination helps in gaining the confidence of patients. 

“Patients feel at ease when we talk to them and ask them about details of their illness. Medicines alone cannot treat a patient just like tests. In olden times, there were no means of tests and doctors managed with physical examination. Now it has come to a standstill but the advantages of it cannot be discarded. A doctor’s hands are healing hands and it cannot be ignored for tests that are expensive and prescribed to sustain a hospital,” said Dr T. Unnikrishnan, a senior general physician.

Dr Hari Charan, senior general physician, said, “The feel of one’s pulse rate cannot alone help in diagnosis of heart rates. Inspection mode of examination can reveal a lot. For instance white hair signals age; but it could also signal lack of nutrition or hormonal problems. That is why a physical examination is a must.”