Oxford Handbook of Clinical Diagnosis, 2nd Edition (Oxford Handbooks Series)

The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Diagnosis is the first and only book that describes the diagnostic process clearly and logically so that it can be effectively learnt. It shows how to justify intuitive diagnoses clearly and logically in an evidence-based way. It provides the differential diagnosis of every symptom, physical sign and initial test result. This handbook uses 'pattern recognition tables' which enable the reader to scan the page to see which diagnostic explanation would apply best to a patient or case history. The book is aimed at medical students and others who wish to improve their diagnostic skills and interactions with patients. It describes how to justify diagnoses and management decisions verbally or in writing and clarifies what evidence is needed from research, and its statistical features. It provides senior doctors with a clear framework and examples help to teach trainees and students to approach diagnostic problems in a logical way and to effectively justify their opinions. It provides all doctors with practical help when dealing with problems outside their immediate field of expertise, especially general practitioners and those who are faced with unforeseen situations and emergencies.

The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Diagnosis is the first and only book that describes the diagnostic process clearly and logically so that it can be effectively learnt. It shows how to justify intuitive diagnoses clearly and logically in an evidence-based way. It provides the differential diagnosis of every symptom, physical sign and initial test result. This handbook uses 'pattern recognition tables' which enable the reader to scan the page to see which diagnostic explanation would apply best to a patient or case history.

The book is aimed at medical students and others who wish to improve their diagnostic skills and interactions with patients. It describes how to justify diagnoses and management decisions verbally or in writing and clarifies what evidence is needed from research, and its statistical features. It provides senior doctors with a clear framework and examples help to teach trainees and students to approach diagnostic problems in a logical way and to effectively justify their opinions. It provides all doctors with practical help when dealing with problems outside their immediate field of expertise, especially general practitioners and those who are faced with unforeseen situations and emergencies.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Sally Ling, M.D.;FACP(University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine)
Description:This book aims to teach students the skill of medical diagnosis that is logical and adaptable to each clinical situation.
Purpose:The authors articulate the process of using clues or leads which in combination with other findings will steer the clinician to the likely diagnosis. The breakdown of a dynamic process to transparent steps is interesting, and offers another approach to the diagnostic method.
Audience:The book is written primarily for students and physicians in training.
Features:It opens with a chapter on how the book should be used. It is essential to read this section in order to use the remainder of the book. One clinical scenario is presented. The reader is then walked through each element of the history and physical examination, evaluation of laboratory studies, and finally the diagnostic process. The book cannot be easily used as a standalone resource for quick reference.
Assessment:This is a new book that offers an interesting, "transparent" description of the diagnostic process. It is not necessarily suitable for a beginning student, but it will be useful to one wanting to look further into the nuances of history taking and the use of findings to arrive at a working diagnosis.

"Now in its second edition, the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Diagnosis has become the leading guide to making confident diagnoses. Each symptom, sign and initial test result is accompanied by a differential diagnosis and advice on preliminary tests. The information is laid out in a way that aids pattern recognition on a double page spread, so that you can scan them quickly to see what diagnosis would apply best, what further evidence is required and what treatments to begin. The book also provides a detailed description of the basis of logical evidence-based differential diagnosis. This new edition includes more symptoms, signs and differentials, initial management for each diagnosis, preliminary tests, and a new chapter on dermatology."--BOOK JACKET The diagnostic process Interpreting the history and examination General and endocrine symptoms and physical signs and lumps Skin symptoms and physical signs Cardiovascular symptoms and physical signs Respiratory symptoms and physical signs Gastrointestinal symptoms and physical signs Urological and gynaecological symptoms and physical signs Joint, limb, and back symptoms and signs Psychiatric and neurological symptoms and physical signs Laboratory tests Radiology.