In medicine, physical examination is the process by which the physician investigates the body of a patient for signs of disease to aid in determining the correct diagnosis. It generally follows the taking of the medical history - an account of the symptoms as experienced by the patient. It is recorded as part of the medical record.
Although doctors have varying approaches, a systematic examination starts at the head and finishes at the extremities. After the main organ systems have been investigated, specific tests may follow (such as a neurological investigation, orthopedics) or specific tests when a particular disease is suspected (e.g. eliciting Trousseau's sign in hypocalcemia).
With the clues obtained during the history and physical examination the doctor can now formulate a differential diagnosis, a list of potential causes of the symptoms. When this has happened, specific testing (or occasionally empirical therapy) generally confirms the cause, or sheds light on other, overlooked, causes.
According to recent research, a systematic physical examination at regular intervals during hospital admission can change the ultimate diagnosis in >10% of all cases.
The MedicalExaminer is appointed by law to many responsibilities, the foremost of which is the investigation and certification of a variety of deaths of legal or public health interest.
The Chief MedicalExaminer is required, by law, to determine the cause, circumstances and manner of death for those cases found to be under the Office's legal jurisdiction.
The MedicalExaminer differs from the Coroner in that the latter is a lay office, usually associated with the Office of the Sheriff in most California Counties.
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