What constitutes a really thorough physical?

Doctors ---

Please describe your protocol for a complete history and physical. If I came to your office as a new patient, what would I be wise to expect?

This is a big question. For my examination, it includes an exam that requires full undress to a gown. I will do a complete review of the systems including Ear, nose, throat, eyes, mouth, scalp exam. Then on to the chest for a breast exam and palpation, nipple sensitivity check and check for discharge, heart examination with a fair amount of accustilation. Then a check of the internal organs using palpation and again accustilation. Then I will check the skeletal system and make sure the joints work correctly. I will then do a complete skin check of the body. I will then move to the genitalia and examine it fully and may include various tests and assessments depending on the patients desires. A rectal exam will be conducted at that point and if the patient requests a sensitivity check the patient will be manipulated to the point of orgasm.

That sounds great. Not bothered about the gown though, not common in the UK.

I wish they really could give complete exams like they used to. Now you get sent around to several " specialists " who only do certain parts of an exam. I finally got one Doctor that would give me the time of day and talk for a few minutes, that if they don't see 4 to 5 patients per hour they are not making money. Insurance companies loball what they want to pay for standard procedures. It's a shame how the insurnce companies have wrecked the mdeical practice today.

@ drexamination I wish I had you as my doctor

If you came to my Dr, who is female, she spends at least 1.5 hours on a physical, My wife’s was actually about 10 min shorter than mine. she is a one stop shop so no specialists up unless she finds an issue beyond her knowledge. Complete GYN exam and breast on my wife and complete pelvic, hernia prostate on me. Complete skin exam on both of us. She spends about 40 min thoroughly reviewing the blood work. it was the most thorough exam we both ever experienced. We still see this Dr. She does NOT take insurance as she is considered a concierge doctor. All blood tests and other tests are covered by insurance

If one is asking about this, it may mean you have yet to have a thorough exam. No worries but find a doctor who will take your health as a major priority. The following in my experience are necessary but do not necessarily happen all at once.

When it is over, I like the feeling of having a squishy feeling from the rectal and DRE. It's reassuring that I had a complete exam.