Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12868 in Books
• Published on: 2007-09-12
• Binding: Paperback
• 427 pages

Synopsis
Life would be much simpler for GPs if patients presented with diagnoses. Unfortunately, they do not: they present with symptoms which are frequently vague, sometimes multiple and often obscure. Most clinical texts adopt a diagnosis rather than a symptom based approach. "Symptom Sorter" redressed the balance and quickly became a key book in primary care. This new edition is fully updated and expanded, and still offers the same concise and practical guidance. New topics include - anal itching, anal swelling, crying babies, eyelid problems, facial rashes and leg ulcers. It presents differentials, distinguishing features, possible investigations and key points, with tips and warnings, for over 100 symptoms commonly seen in primary care. All general practitioners, especially GP trainers, GP registrars, young principals, nurse practitioners and A&E nurses will find this book an invaluable ready reference.

Customer Reviews

Good book
As an experienced GP this book was rather basic for me, but well liked by my GP registrar.

A must-have for your GP placement
G.P. placements can be overwhelming for medical students like me primarily due to the vast spectrum of different presentations. As you don't have much time for each consultation, you need to take a focussed history to differentiate between the possible diagnoses so a good starting point is having an idea of differentials for each symptom ......this book is an invaluable tool for each presentation e.g. dizziness

INSIDE: This book is organised by presenting symptoms. Inside there are:
- Differentials (split up into common, occasional and rare).
- A quick tool to differentiate between the common disorders
- Possible investigations
- Top tips
- Red flags - highlights symptoms with significant pathology.

I would definitely recommend this book, its simple clear layout makes it a sure winner...if I pass my G.P. block it will be down to this book!!

Simple, informative, useful
This book delivers exactly what its title promises: an easy way to "sort" through most common symptoms in general practice. (Like "weight gain", "facial pain", "backache", "tremor") For each symptom, the most likely causes are described (with easy guidelines for differential diagnosis), followed by progressively unlikely causes. You then get a list of appropriate investigations and a series of "hints & tips" for practical management.
The usefulness of "Symptom Sorter" isn't limited to general practitioners, but extends to undergraduate medical students as well, providing a clear and informative view of symptoms and primary care. The only flaw I can detect is that the book chapters are named with non-medical, common usage terms (this could actually be a pro if the reader is not conversant in medicine).