Graduate Entry Medical School, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
SCU/CSTAR @ UL, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland.
Ir J Med Sci. 2021 Feb;190(1):313-316. doi: 10.1007/s11845-020-02250-2. Epub 2020 May 25.
Despite its clinical utility, progressive reliance on imaging technology can lead to devaluing the physical examination in patients with chronic pain. The primary objective of this study was to determine whether chronic pain patients have a positive or negative perception of the physical examination.
After institutional ethics committee approval, 120 adult patients as a convenience sample who attended a chronic pain clinic were included. Participants completed a 10-item survey regarding their overall perception of the physical examination. Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test analyses were conducted to explore associations between test items and patient ages, gender, employment, pain diagnosis, and duration of pain. All cross-tabulations of categorical variables were analyzed using Fisher's exact test for associations.
The majority of participants were male (51%), aged 50-70 (44%). The most common pain diagnosis was back pain (62%). Most patients (77%) indicated that the overall experience of being examined was highly positive. Patients believe in the value of the physical examination as a diagnostic tool (97%). Patients believe in the relational value of the physical examination (92%). Age, gender, employment, pain diagnosis, and duration of pain were not associated with a more positive perception of the physical examination.
Patients with chronic pain indicate that the physical examination is a highly positive aspect of their care. There are some negative aspects of been examined which physicians should be aware of. This study adds to our knowledge regarding the physical exam in chronic pain patients. It will inform practice and training.
尽管影像学技术在临床上具有实用性，但对其的逐步依赖可能会导致在慢性疼痛患者中降低体格检查的价值。本研究的主要目的是确定慢性疼痛患者对体格检查的看法是积极的还是消极的。
在机构伦理委员会批准后，纳入了 120 名作为便利样本的成年慢性疼痛诊所就诊患者。参与者完成了一项关于他们对体格检查总体看法的 10 项调查。使用 Kruskal-Wallis 和 Mann-Whitney U 检验分析来探讨测试项目与患者年龄、性别、就业、疼痛诊断和疼痛持续时间之间的关系。所有分类变量的交叉表均使用 Fisher 确切检验进行关联分析。
大多数参与者为男性（51%），年龄在 50-70 岁之间（44%）。最常见的疼痛诊断是背痛（62%）。大多数患者（77%）表示，接受检查的总体体验非常积极。患者认为体格检查是一种有价值的诊断工具（97%）。患者相信体格检查的关系价值（92%）。年龄、性别、就业、疼痛诊断和疼痛持续时间与对体格检查的更积极看法无关。
慢性疼痛患者表示，体格检查是他们治疗中非常积极的方面。被检查存在一些消极方面，医生应该意识到这一点。本研究增加了我们对慢性疼痛患者体格检查的了解。它将为实践和培训提供信息。
