ABSTRACT
A compassionately taken thorough history, complemented by a directed but gentle physical examination, is usually more revealing than a battery of sophisticated diagnostic tests in evaluating the patient with colorectal and anal complaints. Disorders of this “unmentionable” part of the body are often embarrassing for the patient to discuss and require great tact on the part of the examiner. This chapter focuses on features of the patient encounter unique to the colorectal patient. [1].
