Reviving the lost art of the physical examination

Teaching medical students how to do a physical exam

The New York Times reports on the remarkable medical education breakthrough of teaching the ancient and mysterious art of the physical examination. Stanford Medical School has employed Dr. Abraham Verghese solely to teach this skill. This is in an era when the first step in a neurosurgical examination is an MRI scan. Importantly, undertaking a physical examination helps develop rapport with your patient and getting to know them as an actual person. This is something the anesthesiologist should embrace.