For the past couple years, I have been conducting research (via online surveys) on physical examinations to determine the quality and thoroughness of the actual examination. You can participate in my current anonymous survey here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1GbbwlkMfqly1O9ox9PpIqG89jW1TtcCTQTuxdNJQygY/viewform
During your yearly physical exam, you should be completely examined from head to toe and the following should always be examined: HEENT (head, ears eyes, nose, throat), cardiovascular (heart and arteries), pulmonary (lungs), abdominal (auscultation and palpation), genitourinary (male genitalia - prostate exam after age 40, female genitalia - pelvic exam), musculoskeletal, and neurological. A good complete exam (with doctor examining you) should last between 10-20 minutes.
4,924 individuals participated in the surveys so far. 2,462 are male and 2,462 are female.
Gender of physician
2,413 see a male physician 49%
2,518 see a female physician 51%
Preferred Physician Gender
2,259 prefer a male physician 45%
2,556 prefer a female physician 51%
1490 males prefer a male physician 61%
1708 females prefer a female physician 69%
Type of Physician
712 see an internist
2,453 see a family practitioner
1,046 see a gynecologist
470 internists are male and 242 are female
1,222 family practitioners are male and 1,231 are female
392 gynecologists are male and 654 are female
Examination Duration
Average physical examination duration is 12.11 minutes
Average male physical examination duration is 12.11 minutes
Average female physical examination duration is 12.12 minutes
Average gynecological examination duration is 12.18 minutes
Male physicians spend on average 12.11 minutes conducting a physical exam with their patients
Female physicians spend on average 12.12 minutes conducting a physical exam with their patients
internists spend 12.14 minutes
family practitioners spend 12.12 minutes
gynecologists spend 12.18 minutes
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Quality and Thoroughness Results
Male Explanation:
In order to be considered to be thorough, the following must be examined: HEENT (head, ears eyes, nose, throat), cardiovascular (heart and arteries), pulmonary (lungs), abdominal (auscultation and palpation), genitourinary (male genitalia - penis, testicles, hernia, prostate exam after age 40) musculoskeletal, and neurological. A 7/7 is considered to be complete.
372 out of 2,462 got an 7/7
Female Explanation - (Non Gyno)
In order to be considered to be thorough, the following must be examined:HEENT (head, ears eyes, nose, throat), cardiovascular (heart and arteries), pulmonary (lungs), breasts, abdominal (auscultation and palpation), genitourinary (female genitalia) musculoskeletal, and neurological. An 8/8 is considered to be thorough.
52 out of 2,462 got an 8/8
Gender specific quality and thoroughness results
Males
In order to be considered thorough, the following must be examined; genitalia - check for hernia, penis ( palpate shaft, palpate glans, spread meatus), testicle palpation, rectal (prostate exam for men age 40 and above). 6/6 for men under 40 and 7/7 for men over 40 is considered to be thorough.
Males - Under 40 Exam
26% of physicians got an 6/6. 70 were internists, and 271 were family practitioners
70 internists - 43 were male and 22 were female
271 family - 123 were male and 148 were female
Males - 40+ Exam
38% got a 7/7. 119 were internists and 222 were family practitioners
119 internists - 86 were male and 33 were female
222 family - 142 were male and 80 were female
Female
In order to be considered thorough, the following must be examined; breasts, abdomen, (genitalia - check for hernia, palpate pubic area, palpate clitoris, spread labia majora and minora, insert finger into vagina, insert speculum to examine cervix and uterus, perform bimanual exam to examine ovaries, perform recto-vaginal exam, and perform rectal exam). 17/17 for non-gyno exam and 11/11 gyno exam is considered to be thorough.
Female - Non Gyno
5 got a 17/17 4 were female family practitioners and the other was a male internist
6% got an 11/17
Female - Gyno
56 physicians got an 11/11
36 gynecologists - 4 male and 32 female
20 family - 7 male and 13 female
Overall Quality and Thoroughness Results
805 physicians (18%) were considered to be thorough in their exams
421 were male and 384 were females
female physicians were more thorough examining the female genitalia than the males were. female physicians were more thorough when examining males under 40 than the males were.