Medical Question about "Physicals"

[lucwarm]

Is there any standard definition for what constitutes a "physical"?

Various health care workers are required to undergo "physicals" as well as to undergo various immunizations.

Putting the immunizations aside, what's the point of giving a health care worker a physical? In other words, what could the physical detect that could pose a hazard to patients?

[Duck Duck Goose]

A chronic cough or lung congestion that could signal tuberculosis?

Jaundiced skin that could signal hepatitis?

[Ferret Herder]

TB is a definite possibility to be screened for; before starting my current job (in health care) I was even required to undergo two skin tests to prove I did not have it.

[dauerbach]

Duck Duck,

You are describing specific symptoms. One assumes that the person getting the physical is asymptomatic. Therefore, what one is looking for is occult disease like blood in the stool or urine, or perhaps an overlooked symptom like unexplained weight loss. When one of those things is detected a further work up is done. Unfortunately, once on the top of a diagnostic cascade much harm can be done to the otherwise healthy. My opinion is that if it ain't broke, dont' try to break it and do not believe in routine physical exams.

Dave

[dauerbach]

Sorry, did not accurately read the first post. Generally, physicals in health care workers consists of a PPD for TB. I know of no health care workers that get a more routine comprehensive physical exam, at least not in Maryland or Pennsylvania.

Dave

[Qadgop the Mercotan]

Physicals are very useful for early detection of disease states, before they cause symptoms, and when they are more treatable. The old saw "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is not terribly smart if it leads to catastrophic collapse and death in disorders such as Aortic Stenosis, or bleeding colon cancer. Both of which are screened for in many exams.

The best reason for screening health care workers is to prevent transmission of contagious diseases, such as HIV or Hepatitis B or TB. The actual physical exam is probably less helpful.

"An ounce of prevention......"

QtM, MD

[lucwarm]

Ok, I think I understand. So the main reason to give a health care worker a physical is to look for the early symptoms (signs?) of contagious diseases. (I imagine that in some jurisdictions, drug testing is a factor too.)

Thanks for the input everyone!