How to Examine Better
Posted by medliorator on September 28, 2007
The attitude overall, however, probably makes the exam less awkward. Projecting confidence and normalcy to the exam – that you’ve done it many times, and that it’s pretty much standard operating procedures – helps alleviate some of the potential anxiety a patient may feel. Communication is key. I find using medical terminology to be helpful – asking patients to move their “buttocks” toward the end of the bed, instead of their “butt” just makes it at least sound much more objective – that I am simply the doctor asking a female patient to do something, nothing more. Telling the patient beforehand what will happen, and explaining what he or she may feel helps, too. Body language I think is also key. I often close my eyes and lower my head when listening to heart sounds to help me concentrate on them, but I believe it has the added benefit of ensuring patients that I am touching them for medical purposes only. You never know what prior experiences a patient has had that may make them uncomfortable.
You’ve Come Along Way, Boobie [Over My Med Body]
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