ABSTRACT
The physical examination allows healthcare professionals to confirm the symptoms described by the client and check for signs of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is important to remember and respect that a client may refuse to be examined, even after counselling regarding what will happen and why it is important. It is therefore important to be aware of alternative ways of determining a diagnosis without a full clinical examination; however, it needs to be explained to the client that diagnosis without examination may be presumptive. This is also relevant where onsite microscopy (as a tool to determine preliminary diagnosis where applicable) is not available.
