Handy Ruler

Abstract

When describing findings from physical examination including sizes, instead of measuring, we wrongly eye-size and record inaccurate data. In order to show the rather constant measures at hand and the disparity of size estimations by colleagues, we recorded size appreciation and hand measurements. Sixty doctors were interviewed and asked to estimate length. Besides, their hands were measured accordingly in order to check on presumed figures. All of the data was analyzed using statistic methods. The results confirmed our hypothesis. Subjective estimation had a very low accuracy, ranging from only 18% to 33%. The measurements of the hands showed constant figures which coincide with our previous experience. This confirms our hypothesis that using our hand as a handy ruler is trustable and dependable when describing or measuring distances or while planning and drawing a surgical procedure. Therefore, we recommend the dependable handy ruler instead of subjective eye estimation. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2014; 3(3.000): 135-138]

Keywords

• Size
• estimation
• hand
• ruler