Clinical examination

Anamnesis and clinical examination are the basis of a thorough and effective approach to a patient with coloproctological disease and must be performed in an environment that is comfortable for him or her. In this type of examination, embarrassment concerning the nature of the problem is added to the usual white-coat-induced stress. Embarrassment may be directly related to symptoms or to the strict association of the symptoms with genital or urinary function. Therefore, the physician must be sensitive when asking the patient about symptoms, following a pattern that allows evacuation habits, problem in urinary and fecal continence, and sexual problems to be sequentially addressed. Adequate patient preparation will allow a satisfactory endoscopic evaluation.