Expert Review The Digital Rectal Examination Anna Shirley* and Simon Brewster# …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. The Journal of Clinical Examination 2011 (11): 1-12 Abstract Digital rectal examination is an important skill for medical students and doctors. This article presents a comprehensive, concise and evidence-based approach to examination of the rectum which is consistent with The Principles of Clinical Examination [1]. We describe the signs of common and important diseases of the rectum and, based on a review of the literature, the precision and accuracy of these signs is discussed. Word Count: 2893 Key Words: digital rectal examination, rectum, anus Address for Correspondence:
[email protected] Author affiliations: *Foundation Year 1 Doctor, Charring Cross Hospital, London. #Clinical Director of Urology, Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Introduction examination early in a medical career. The value of The importance of performing a digital rectal learning how to perform the DRE is increasingly examination (DRE) in the appropriate setting is being recognised across UK medical schools, and captured by the phrase, “If you don’t put your finger rectal examination mannequins are now used in in it, you put your foot in it.” – H. Bailey 1973 [2]. student training and beyond. They may also be Anorectal or urogenital symptoms account for 5- used to assess the skill in Objective Structured 10% of all general practice consultations [3] and the Clinical Examinations. DRE is part of the assessment of these. In addition, statistics from 2008 show that colorectal and The Context of the DRE prostate cancer were the third and forth most There are many circumstances in which a DRE is commonly diagnosed cancers in the UK considered to be appropriate.