Clinical skill: The ebbing art of medicine

Abstract

Clinical history taking and physical examination are the essence of clinical medicine. However, the glare of modern diagnostic tools and techniques has overshadowed these basic but indispensable steps of diagnosis. Deterioration of clinical skills is a burning issue in this era due to over-reliance on high-end technology. Poor clinical judgment not only leads to mismanagement but also results in over-utilisation of health care resources. Moreover, with lesser time at the bedside, the physician-patient relationship is also getting compromised.