“COVID-19: The final nail in coffin for physical examination”
Evaluation of the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on physical examination
habits of residents in a university hospital: a cross-sectional survey
Abstract
Aims: It is evident that COVID-19 pandemic have affected the medical
practice and training of residents. In this study, we evaluated the
Physical Examination (PE) habits of residents working in a university
hospital and how their PE practices did change during the pandemic.
Methods: This single-center, non-interventional, cross-sectional
descriptive study was conducted in a university hospital using an online
survey questionnaire from 5 to 20 October 2020. Results: 308 residents
participated in the study of whom 172 of them (55.8%) were female and
the median age was 27 (IQR:3). Among all, 263 participants (85.4%)
declared that they have worked in the areas where suspected/confirmed
COVID-19 patients were being served. A total of 262 (85%) residents
stated that PE habits have changed generally during the pandemic. There
was a significant difference between those residents who have worked in
the COVID-19 areas (n=230,87.5%) and those who have not (n=32, 71.1%)
(p=0.004). PE habits of Internal Medicine Residents were more changed
than others (p<0.001). The main reason for the change in PE
habits in general (77.9%) and during the examination of
suspected/confirmed COVID-19 patients (89.7%) were ‘’self-protection”.
Reliance on laboratory and radiologic investigations during practice and
not having a thought that less PE will disrupt the diagnosis and course
of COVID-19 were also independent risk factors for performing less PE in
suspected/confirmed COVID-19 patients. Discussion: This study clearly
demonstrated that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a serious impact on the
PE habits of the residents while examing patients in general and with
COVID-19.