Utility of the History and Physical Exam in the Emergency Department

Back Pain Clinical Trial

Official title:

Utility of the History and Physical Exam in the Emergency Department

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01154517
• Other study ID #: 3617
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: June 30, 2010
• Last updated: June 30, 2010
• Start date: July 2009
• Est. completion date: June 2010

Study information

• Verified date: July 2009
• Source: Henry Ford Health System
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: United States: Institutional Review Board
• Study type: Observational

Clinical Trial Summary

The study is trying to prove that the history and physical exam (H&P) in the emergency department is the most important tool in exam of patients. The investigator is attempting to correlate the time of the H&P of residents and attendings to the accuracy of diagnosis.

Description:

The purpose of the study is to examine the utility of the history and physical exam in the emergency room towards obtaining a diagnosis. The goal of this observational study is to correlate physician level of experience and time spent on history and physical exam, to the correct diagnosis.

The aim of this study is:

1. To draw a connection between time and accuracy of the history and physical exam.

2. To draw a connection between time and level of experience as a physician based on post-graduate level.

3. To assess the number of laboratory and radiographic studies and the post-graduate level.

4. To assess the relevance of the labs and radiographs ordered. (Relevance is defined as something that changes plan of care.)

Time is a critical component of the ED physician. Our study will analyse if modern medicine has created a more laboratory/image based need to ascertain a diagnosis or if history and physical examination alone can predict the ultimate diagnosis.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 128
• Est. completion date: June 2010
• Est. primary completion date: June 2010
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Anyone over the age of 18 with a generalized complaints able to provide consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Anyone under 18 yrs and anyone with a very specific, system based complaint.

Study Design

Time Perspective: Prospective

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Abdominal Pain
• Back Pain
• Dyspnea
• Headache
• Weakness

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Henry Ford Macomb Hospital	Clinton Township	Michigan

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Henry Ford Health System

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States,