World Scientific Publishing Company Handbook of Clinical Skills: A Practical Manual

There is growing acknowledgement of the importance of interpersonal and communication skills in the training of future physicians. Effective diagnostic and clinical management skills require competency in observing, listening, communicating, problem-solving and negotiating. In addition, the physician needs human relationship skills. It is apparent that a systematic curriculum is needed to teach these clinical skills to medical students and trainees and this handbook provides a practical guide. Each chapter in this book discusses one of the clinical skills in depth. A unique feature of this book is the use of concepts developed in several other disciplines. For example, ideas to learn listening skills are borrowed from industrial management literature. The other unique feature is the inclusion of practical exercises to learn and teach each of these skills. The appendix outlines ideas on how to organize a course on clinical competency skills and includes a few exercises to start discussion groups. This practical manual is a resource for training of future physicians for competency in the art and practice of medicine. Ideas expressed in this book have been developed, tested and improved over a period of 25 to 30 years with input from trainees and medical practitioners. Review In a relative few pages Dr. Athreya unlocks many secrets of clinical care that might otherwise take the average practitioner many years to learn … This book represents the experiences of a sage clinician with many years of experience molded by deep reflection and thought, and comprehensive review of the literature on this subject. --Stephen Ludwig, MD, Senior Advisor for Medical Education, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia It could provide a useful overview for senior students and house officers interested in reflecting on their clinical and interpersonal skills using a book written by an experienced clinician in an approachable, conversational manner … The reading lists at the end of each chapter and the additional readings at the end of the book are excellent resources for anyone putting together a course on medical humanities or communications skills. --Journal of the American Medical Association The book should become mandatory reading for medical students and all physicians who have regular contact with patients ... I would recommend this book to every physician, especially in this time when the general public is promised that all will be cured by advances in technology. --J Carlton Gartner, Jr., MD Pediatrician-in-Chief Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children From the Back Cover There is growing acknowledgement of the importance of interpersonal and communication skills in the training of future physicians. Effective diagnostic and clinical management skills require competency in observing, listening, communicating, problem-solving and negotiating. In addition, the physician needs human relationship skills. It is apparent that a systematic curriculum is needed to teach these clinical skills to medical students and trainees and this handbook provides a practical guide. Each chapter in this book discusses one of the clinical skills in depth. A unique feature of this book is the use of concepts developed in several other disciplines. For example, ideas to learn listening skills are borrowed from industrial management literature. The other unique feature is the inclusion of practical exercises to learn and teach each of these skills. The Appendix outlines ideas on how to organize a course on clinical competency skills and includes a few exercises to start discussion groups. This practical manual is a resource for training of future physicians for competency in the art and practice of medicine. Ideas expressed in this book have been developed, tested and improved over a period of 25 to 30 years with input from trainees and medical practitioners.