Dr. Leon Pedell discusses how to transition from memorizing physical exam techniques to applying them with real patients to find real abnormalities. Many students have a misconception that they can forget much of what they learned in first and second year as, “low yield.” This is not the case. More than anyone else on a care team, medical students have time to perform thorough physical exams and you need to take advantage of that opportunity. Practice these skills so that when you walk into a patient’s room, you not only know how to perform a proper physical exam, but you know which techniques to employ that are appropriate for the problem your team is working up. Use what you know to become an effective member of the team.

Courtesy of Before the Floors.