The Cardiovascular Physical Examination - Is It Still Relevant?

Advances in technology have reshaped the practice of medicine. These changes have greatly benefited our patients. However, in the setting of these advances, the importance of basic clinical tools is more pertinent than ever. Despite the growing reliance on technology, the physical exam remains valuable and cost effective, often enabling the well-trained clinician to arrive at the diagnosis, rapidly and accurately. The physical exam must not become a relic of a distant past. We aim to investigate current competency and proficiency, proposals for change in teaching curriculums, and the relationship with technology such as hand-held echocardiography. A skillful exam provides both emotional and intellectual satisfaction. It may be a lost art but it is well worth the effort to restore.