I'm in medical school, and we have to learn how to do these incredibly exhaustive histories and physicals. Honestly, if you do EVERYTHING for a normal patient, the exam could take upwards of an hour and a half and you're dealing with a big talker.
Here's how it goes:
You start out asking what brought them to the doctor.
Then you ask about past medical history, family medical history, preventative things (do you smoke, drink, etc.), and a social history.
Then you do a Review of Systems, which is a TON of questions about EVERYTHING medical that has happened in the last year. For neurologic alone, you ask if they've fainted, seized, have weakness or paralysis, shake uncontrollably, have numbness, dizziness, problems with memory and headaches and sleep, have alterations in consciousness, and have balance issues. As you can see, this part of the exam can take a long time.
Then a full physical takes a long time too.
I was wondering if you guys would prefer a long exam like this, or want a more abbreviated one that focuses on the parts that excite you most.
Or alternatively, how would you feel if this was all incorporated into the physical exam? You're in your underwear, and I could do a full neurological exam while you're being asked these neurological questions, which prolongs the whole exam, but still focuses it on the physical aspect.
This is my first topic, so hope I haven't broken any rules!