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Home / Physical Examination
Clinical skills module

Physical Examination

Efficient, respectful and hypothesis-driven examination within station time.

Module objectives

By the end of this module, you should be able to gather focused information, identify the most likely and most dangerous diagnoses, choose appropriate investigations, begin safe management and communicate the plan clearly.

Core presentations

Cardiovascular examination

Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.

Respiratory examination

Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.

Abdominal examination

Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.

Focused neurologic examination

Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.

Musculoskeletal examination

Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.

Peripheral vascular examination

Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.

Thyroid examination

Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.

Mental-status examination

Practise a focused assessment, prioritized differential, targeted investigations, immediate management and safety-netting.

Expected station skills

  • Wash hands and obtain consent
  • Position and expose appropriately
  • Inspect before palpation
  • Perform focused maneuvers
  • State omitted completion steps
  • Summarize key findings
Module drill: For each presentation, state the leading diagnosis, the dangerous alternative, one discriminating question, one discriminating examination finding and the first action if the patient is unstable.

Red flags and escalation

  • Pain during examination
  • Unstable patient
  • Need for chaperone
  • Failure to preserve dignity
  • Unsafe maneuver
  • Missing immediate escalation

Station rehearsal template

  1. Read the task and identify the required output.
  2. Open professionally and establish the agenda.
  3. Gather focused positive and negative findings.
  4. Summarize and prioritize the differential.
  5. State investigations and management in a safe sequence.
  6. Address the patient’s concerns and understanding.
  7. Close with disposition, follow-up and safety-netting.

Suggested complete 11-minute stations

Focused cardiovascular exam11 minutes

Cardiovascular examination in heart failure

Perform a systematic exam, identify congestion and present findings concisely.

Focused respiratory exam11 minutes

Respiratory examination with pleural effusion

Demonstrate a complete respiratory examination and localize a pleural process.

Focused neurologic exam11 minutes

Focused neurologic examination for stroke

Localize an acute hemispheric deficit and activate time-critical stroke care.

Focused musculoskeletal exam11 minutes

Painful swollen knee

Recognize septic arthritis and arrange urgent aspiration and treatment.