Melanie: Grandpa, the way you practiced medicine seems like another lifetime ago! You talk a lot about the importance of a physical exam in diagnosing all kinds of problems, which is almost non-existent today.
Grandpa: The physical is not merely an anatomic exploration, but also a trust-promoting endeavor. It is the doctor’s most ancient tool. Beyond providing a wealth of information it is an act of bonding. The hand becomes an adept diagnostic instrument rapidly narrowing diagnostic options.
Melanie: Right, that seems like a joke these days. A medical assistant usually takes my blood pressure, my pulse, and my temperature and tells me to step on a scale, even though I’m wearing my shoes and all of my clothes! (I usually wear some serious heels, too.) One time, I still had a handbag slung over my shoulder. Continue reading
The Lown Conversation 