RT Book, Section A1 Elisseou, Sadie A1 Potter, Jennifer A2 Keuroghlian, Alex S. A2 Potter, Jennifer A2 Reisner, Sari L. SR Print(0) ID 1184176713 T1 Performing a Trauma-Informed Physical Examination T2 Transgender and Gender Diverse Health Care: The Fenway Guide YR 2022 FD 2022 PB McGraw Hill PP New York, NY SN 9781260459937 LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1184176713 RD 2024/03/29 AB The physical examination is a core component of most medical encounters. For centuries, physicians have used the physical examination to determine the cause of a patient’s symptoms and develop a treatment plan. Despite its critical role in patient care, the physical examination may potentially cause patients harm. Consider a patient sitting on a table, naked under a thin gown, answering personal questions, being touched by a stranger, and wondering what bad news they may discover about their health. This routine scenario makes patients physically and emotionally vulnerable and may provoke feelings of embarrassment, shame, or fear. The risk of discomfort is amplified when patients have experienced previous psychological, physical, or sexual trauma, including prior traumatic encounters in the health care system itself.