Application of physical examination in the professional practice of nurses and paramedics

Aim
Medical interview and physical examination are the fundamental tasks of nurses and paramedics who are required to perform a correct and complete assessment of the patient. The evaluation of the use of interview and physical examination in the practice of nurses and paramedics.

Material and methods
161 people working as nurses and paramedics took part in the research conducted in 2022. The research was carried out with the use of a questionnaire. The questions in the survey concerned the medical interview and physical examination issues. The questionnaire results were analysed with division into both occupations using the χ2 test.

Results
The frequency of performing the physical examination significantly (p<0,001) varied in nurses and paramedics, with a higher percentage of paramedics performing it “always” (13,1% vs. 63,6%). Except for observation as a technique of physical examination, paramedics applied other techniques significantly more often (p<0,001) than nurses. An obstacle statistically significantly more often indicated by nurses than by paramedics was numerous duties at work (p<0,01), while for paramedics the “reluctance of patients” (p<0,001).

Conclusions
The type of medical profession significantly impacted the frequency and variety of techniques used in physical examination and obstacles limiting their performance. It is necessary to activate nurses to more frequent applying the physical examination in their professional practice with the use of all techniques.