CRC Press Helping Hands: An Introduction to Diagnostic Strategy and Clinical Reasoning

This brand-new textbook introduces medical students, junior doctors, medical educators and allied health professionals to the vital skills of diagnostic strategy and clinical reasoning, both essential components of becoming an effective clinician. Taking the examination of the hands as a springboard – often the initial step in physical examination and from which a wealth of information can be gleaned – through real-life clinical cases readers are encouraged to refine their powers of observation and decision-making strategy. Key features: • Encourages a conscious approach to clinical reasoning – ‘see’ rather than just ‘look’ • Develops an understanding of why all clinicians can be responsible for diagnostic mistakes and how, with a raised awareness, they can work towards avoiding error • Outlines approaches that can be used when taking a history and when examining patients in any clinical setting • Bundled e-book for use ‘on the go’ while the companion website provides additional materials for students and lecturers including self-assessment questions and teaching guidance Outlining the process of formulating and refining an initial diagnosis, in using this book the medical student or junior doctor will develop a critical self-awareness of the strategies they employ in assessing patients, learn how to improve and enhance their skills, and feel enabled to craft an appropriate management plan. Review "This is a helpful guide on evidence-based clinical reasoning in early patientcontact for medical students. It is a first edition book published in theUnited Kingdom. Eleven chapters present discussions on clinical reasoning, diagnostic strategy,the history and examination, spot diagnosis and pattern recognition, red andyellow flags, restricted rule-outs, probabilistic reasoning, test of time, testof treatment, and various case studies. Full-color photographs are wellpresented. The case study chapters impart a classical Socratic method ofteaching with questions that lead readers to diagnoses through various concepts(e.g., red and yellow flags). There are some references included, but this isappropriate as the book's objective is to teach students how to approachpatients rather than present a study of specific conditions. As an introductory text for medical students early on their journey intomedicine, this is a practical text. " Vincent F Carr, DO, MSA, FACC, FACP Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences About the Author Caroline Rodgers is a GP Trainee, Cambridge VTS, Health Education East of England, Cambridgeshire, UK Richard Harrington is Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer, Nuffield Dept Primary Care Health Sciences and Associate Director, Graduate-entry Medicine, University of Oxford and a GP Partner, The Rycote Practice, Thame, Oxfordshire, UK