Oxford Handbook of Clinical Diagnosis

A unique handbook enabling junior doctors to make confident diagnoses from presenting signs
* Gives the reader a clear explanation of the diagnostic process, and suggestions for initial management of every diagnostic possibility
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Suggests the next tests to be considered for any symptom, sign or test result
* Gives a detailed description of the logical and mathematical basis of diagnosis and treatment selection

New to this edition

* The diagnostic process and its logical and mathematical basis are described in more detail
* 'Initial management' is provided for each diagnosis, which helps a student, trainee doctor, GP or specialist dealing with a problem outside an area of expertise to deal with any patient.
* Each page now contains 'Initial tests'.

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.

Readership: Medical students, trainee doctors, general practitioners, hospital specialists, clinical teachers, researchers, statisticians, public health doctors and others managing health care organisations, and all professions allied to medicine e.g. nurses, pharmacists, etc.

Contents
1. The diagnostic process
2. Interpreting the history and examination
3. General and endocrine symptoms and physical signs (+ lumps)
4. Skin symptoms and physical signs
5. Cardiovascular symptoms and physical signs
6. Respiratory symptoms and physical signs
7. Gastrointestinal symptoms and physical signs
8. Urological and gynaecological symptoms and physical signs
9. Joint, limb and back symptoms and signscal signs
10. Psychiatric and neurological symptoms and physical signs
11. Laboratory tests
12. Radiology
13. Appendix Making the diagnostic process evidence-based