September 30, 2024-December 11, 2024
Course Director
Andrew Klein, MD, MS
Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine
kleinaj@upmc.edu
Course Description
The Physical Exam course is dedicated to teaching the art and science of performing a physical examination.
Course Objectives:
- Learn the techniques of the comprehensive physical examination.
- Demonstrate and practice these techniques in the setting of a routine comprehensive physical examination.
- Develop an organized approach to performing a complete physical examination.
- Begin to differentiate between a screening physical examination and a more focused examination, and when each type of examination is indicated.
- Understand how to use the following instruments:
- otoscope
- sphygmomanometer
- stethoscope
- reflex hammer
- 512hz and 128hz tuning forks
- Recognize key physiologic and pathologic physical examination findings and their significance
Educational Methods
Educational methods are summarized below:
- Videos and web-based modules
- Small group practice and skill acquisition
- SP simulated exams
- Self-study
Evaluation
Physical examination is both an art and a science and requires years to master. There are two components to developing the skills of physical diagnosis: 1) Knowing how to perform the maneuvers and 2) Understanding the knowledge base that underlies the physical examination.
1. Performing the exam: The practice sessions are for you to experiment and practice the techniques and to enable you to make the mistakes that everyone makes in a safe and comfortable setting. All we ask from you is a growth-mindset, enthusiasm, participation, and preparation. Proficiency in technique will develop with time throughout in your training. As such, your evaluation from your instructor will be based predominantly on attitude and effort; mastery of skill is not expected BUT some evidence of competence is. You will be evaluated on your effort and preparation for the physical examination sessions, your performance on the open-book quizzes and final, and on your score on the checklist used to evaluate the SP examination sessions.
A passing grade requires: 1. no unexcused sessions and 2. Achieving >90% on one of the SP physical examination sessions at the courses end.
You will be required to perform two head to toe SP examinations in week 8 and 9 of the course. You must achieve a 90% score in the checklist on one of these assessments in order to pass the course.
2) Understanding the knowledge base that underlies the physical examination: In order to use the information that you obtain from the physical examination, you need to know what it means and how to use it, including how to record findings, how to connect the surface anatomy to the underlying structures, how to interpret the findings, and how this interpretation impacts your differential diagnosis for your patient. The readings and the lectures will highlight this material. You will be asked to demonstrate your knowledge of this material within your small group participation and on the weekly assessments.
Requests for excused absences should be submitted via Elentra. Unexcused absences may result in grading penalties as outlined in the Policy on Absence and Attendance.