Psychiatrists and physical examinations: a survey

Alumni from the 1965-1974 psychiatric residency classes at the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical Center were surveyed about their individual practices regarding physical examinations. Ninety-eight of 155 alumni returned the anonymous questionnaire. None of the respondents routinely performed physical examinations on new outpatients. The 61% who had inpatient practices usually delegated the hospital admission physical examination.