Introduction

The ability of a physician to take an accurate history and perform a clinical examination is the basis for competency in all aspects of medicine. It is important early on in a course at undergraduate level to master these skills. Not only are these skills assessed at undergraduate but also at postgraduate examinations.

The student learns most from the patient, therefore the patient is the most effective teacher to the student. The relationship between physician and patient is the cornerstone of effective treatment. We encourage the student to examine a wide variety of patients to improve his skills. A patient appreciates the skills of a competent physician and will have confidence in the management of his condition. Increasing sophistication of diagnostic tests including imaging will not replace the fundamental skills of clinical examination.

This book is a guide of how to examine a patient based on our experience of teaching medical students in one of the oldest universities in Europe. Its teaching hospitals have a reputation of excellence based on bedside teaching.

We have divided this book into three sections:

• The first section describes the steps of the general physical examination which includes the general appearance of the patient and reviews the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous system.
• Chapter two concentrates on the physical examination techniques.
• Chapter three lists the main differential diagnoses.

Colm A. O'Morain

Asghar Qasim

• Table of Contents
• Introduction
• Sample
• Read Reviews
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