Goals and Objectives

Goals

By the end of this semester course, students should be able to:

1. Apply their knowledge of basic science to the task of physical diagnosis.
2. Perform a focused physical exam integrated with a medical history (covered elsewhere).
3. Critique their physical examination technique and that of their peers, including effective feedback.

Objectives

1. Vital signs, including the diagnosis of hypertension
2. Extremities, including the back
3. Chest, including the chest wall and lungs
4. Head and neck, excluding the eyes (the fundoscopic exam is covered elsewhere)
5. Neurologic (mental status is covered elsewhere)
6. Cardiovascular, including the peripheral vasculature
7. Abdomen, including the kidneys
8. Skin, as it relates to the various regional exams

   Breast, pelvic and rectal exams are deferred until the second year. Some components of the neurologic, cardiovascular and eye exam are deferred to the spring semester for coordination with other courses (primarily Neuroscience, Human Behavior and Physiology).