To obtain a general impression of the patient’s physical and mental condition it is best to create as informal a situation as possible. If the therapist is community-based this is perhaps easier than when the patient is a hospital outpatient. A social type of visit and introduction can be made during which the physiotherapist can note the general condition and attitude of the patient and his relatives, friends or nurses (depending on the environment). It should be noted whether the patient is ambulant, chairbound or confined to bed and whether he requires assistance in any of these.
His general appearance should be observed for the build, postural attitudes, muscle atrophy, skin coloration, signs of obvious ill-health or malnutrition. The overall condition of the skin, nails, and hair can tell a great deal about the physical condition of the patient and should not be overlooked. The…
