Table 5.

Differences Between Overall Mean Perceived Utility and Self-Confidence in Individual Physical Examination Skills

Physical examination skill	Difference	Perceived utility	Self-confidence
Distinguishing between a mole and melanoma	1.5	4.7 [0.6]*	3.2 [1.0]
Detecting a thyroid nodule	1.4	4.2 [0.8]	2.8 [0.9]
Interpreting a diastolic murmur	1.3	4.2 [0.8]	2.9 [0.9]
Detecting a breast mass in a female patient	1.2	4.6 [0.6]	3.4 [0.9]
Nondilated fundoscopic examination using an ophthalmoscope to assess retinal vasculature	1.2	3.7 [0.9]	2.5 [1.1]
Measuring jugular venous pressure	1.0	4.0 [0.9]	3.0 [1.0]
Detecting splenomegaly	0.9	4.1 [0.8]	3.2 [0.9]
Detecting a pleural effusion	0.8	4.3 [0.7]	3.5 [0.9]
Interpreting a systolic murmur	0.6	4.2 [0.6]	3.6 [0.8]
Detecting ascites	0.4	4.3 [0.8]	3.9 [0.8]
Measuring blood pressure	0.2	4.9 [0.3]	4.7 [0.6]
Determining vertical liver span	0.2	3.7 [0.9]	3.5 [1.0]
Detecting a positive straight-leg raise sign	−0.1	3.8 [0.9]	3.9 [1.0]
Detecting clubbing	−0.7	3.5 [1.1]	4.2 [0.9]

Perceived utility scale: 1 = “Not at all Useful”; 3 = “Neutral”; 5 = “Very Useful.” Self-confidence scale: 1 = “Not at all Confident”; 3 = “Neutral”; 5 = “Very Confident”

*Standard deviation is in brackets