Product Description

The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Diagnosis helps the reader to interpret symptoms, physical signs and initial test results and to allow students (or doctors not familiar with all aspects of medicine) to arrive at diagnoses logically and to explain their reasoning confidently. The book starts with a review of the techniques of history taking and examination, with hints on how to interpret the information and practical advice on the diagnostic process. The bulk of the book is divided by body system and describes the findings that can emerge at each stage of the assessment process. The main differential diagnoses of significant findings are given as a starting point for the diagnostic reasoning process. With each diagnosis is listed the findings which suggests that the diagnosis might be present and the evidence which confirms the diagnosis. This unique book concentrates entirely on the diagnosis, referring readers to the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine and Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialties for management information. It will also train readers to describe the diagnosis and reasoning behind it to a patient, relative, peer, or senior colleague.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #220627 in Books
• Published on: 2006-02-16
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 728 pages

Review
Another reliable guide from the Oxford Handbooks series. It takes a symptom or physical finding and lists the possible differential diagnoses. It includes a summary of the investigations needed. It also refers the reader to the relevant pages in the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine. This book could be used as a revision aid - it would provide a comprehensive list of diagnoses when taking histories on the ward. (Northwing )

The book tackles a minefield of signs and symptoms, putting them all together in an attempt to simplify a clinical problem...The approaches are easy to remember and non-intimidating...each system is then broken down into common symptoms, then signs. This is also excellent...[it] gives a good, clear, concise view of a very difficult and broad subject, and must have taken some time to put together...a good book to slot into your library. (British Journal of Hospital Medicine )

The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Diagnosis is an excellent resource which can help students and junior doctors to hone their diagnostic skills. ... It teaches you how to pick out the important 'lead' features of a history and how to decipher the relevant from the irrelevant. ... this is a refreshingly different textbook with a clear layout and is easy to navigate. ... I would recommend it to all clinical students and junior doctors. (GKT Gazette )

I can't for the life of me work out why OUP hasn't come up with a book like this before. After all when you've taken the history and examined the patient you want to know the likeliest diagnosis and be able to justify it and that's exactly what this book does. ... Another first class compact but comprehensive book from OUP and particularly recommended to the student and junior doctor. (Dr JM Sager )

Customer Reviews

Essential for med school revision
I bought this book a week ago and my confidence in diagnosis has increased ten fold. Not only can you pick the symptom you think is most relavent and look up what could be causing it, you also get a list of conditions with associated features, and how the condition is confirmed.

In real terms when on for example A&E, you get a patient with difuse hair loss (I had no idea where to start on this one) and you get given options of cytotoxic drugs , iron deficiency, sever illness, hypogonadism and recent pregnancy. You would then see what the symptoms of each are, and how you would confirm each.

It made the situation of coming away from a patient totally confused much easier. I am also better at coming up with differentials now.

Excellent book
This book is one of the most comprehensive I have read on clinical diagnosis and provides a checklist of discriminating criteria for many of the symptoms and signs encountered in clinical practice. My only criticism of this book, from the point of view of a finals student, is that it doesn't specifically list investigations that would be required when a patient has a list of 2 or 3 possible differentials after the history/examination, which are often asked in examinations. In this regard, "Differential Diagnosis" is a useful book to read alongside this one.

Very useful with an excellent layout
As a medical student, this book has been of great use to me, both for learning and revising. It provides an invaluable starting point for anyone trying to work out what's wrong with a patient. This is something that students don't find easy. Additionally, it contains the differential diagnoses for uncommon signs or symptoms - something medical school doesn't give a lot of guidance on.

The layout is the real reason that this book's so useful. Each page is headed by a clinical sign or symptom, with possible causes listed below. Additionally, there is advice about how to investigate each sign/ symptom and how other signs/symptoms and the results of investigations can be used to rule out possible causes and form a logical, reasoned diagnosis. Furthermore, the introductory chapters titled 'The diagnostic process' and 'Interpreting the history and examination' provide useful hints and tips about forming a diagnosis.