RelevantPhysical: Make your exams matter 1.1

When considering the implementation of the straight leg raise test for a patient presenting with back pain and potential radiculopathy, it is essential to evaluate the supporting evidence.

RelevantPhysical is an application designed to enhance the decision-making process at the point-of-care for musculoskeletal (MSK) physical examinations. Its features contribute significantly to evidence-based practice.

• Organization of Special Tests: The app categorizes special tests based on symptoms, body regions, and specific diagnoses, facilitating streamlined access to relevant examinations.
• Comprehensive Descriptions: Each test is accompanied by clear indications, step-by-step instructions for administration, and detailed metrics including sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios.
• Instructional Videos: The inclusion of embedded videos provides practical demonstrations of each special test, enhancing user understanding and execution.
• The Relevance Determination Engine: This feature calculates posttest probabilities of conditions based on the pretest probabilities entered by users, aiding in clinical judgments regarding the necessity and utility of various tests.

In addition to serving as a diagnostic tool, RelevantPhysical functions effectively as an educational resource, promoting the application of evidence-based medicine at the bedside. This integration is particularly beneficial in assessing whether specific MSK tests contribute meaningfully to patient diagnosis.

It is noteworthy that the developers of RelevantPhysical will present their findings at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) Meeting 2016, focusing on the educational benefits derived from utilizing this innovative app.