Physical diagnosis versus modern technology. A review

The role of physical diagnosis in an age of modern diagnostic technology has been evaluated by investigators assessing specific techniques in a number of areas, though there has been no systematic comprehensive study of the sensitivity, specificity, cost-benefit ratio, and reliability of physical di...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Western journal of medicine 1990-04, Vol.152 (4), p.377-382
Main Author: Fitzgerald, F T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Diagnosis, Laboratory
Health aspects
Humans
Periodic health examinations
Physical diagnosis
Physical Examination
Technology, High-Cost
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The role of physical diagnosis in an age of modern diagnostic technology has been evaluated by investigators assessing specific techniques in a number of areas, though there has been no systematic comprehensive study of the sensitivity, specificity, cost-benefit ratio, and reliability of physical diagnosis relative to technologic diagnostic tools. In a review of published studies comparing physical with nonphysical diagnostic techniques, the startling accuracy of physical diagnosticians in some areas contrasts sharply with the extremely poor correlation of physical findings with autopsy or imaging studies in others. In a time of constricting financial resources, physicians-and those who teach or judge physicians' skills-must begin to compare physical and nonphysical diagnostic techniques rigorously so that the best, safest, and least expensive diagnostic test is chosen in each clinical situation.
ISSN:0093-0415
1476-2978