David Miller, University of Glasgow

The handy little gem from the Churchill Pocketbook family is orientated around the clinical presentation and provides bullet point history and examination features to look for which are very helpful in differential diagnosis. It goes on to give a consise summary of investigations and treatment and important tips and prescribing details.
It is very comprehensive with the conditions well categorised into 20 clear and well indexed chapters, enabling quick access info.
It also provides indispensable quick reference snippets like immunisations, child centile/growth charts, BMI charts and medical abbreviations
By no means an authoritative guide to all conditions it is extremely good as a quick grab reference when you want to confirm your suspicions, finalise that list of differential diagnosis from a non typical presentation. Often I find when shadowing or taking consultations in general practice, when the patient leaves the room there is one particular factor I should have checked in the history or examination but I cannot remember what it is. Usually I wrack my brain, make a mental note to check later and then forget. Churchills GP is perfect to have in you pocket on clinics to refresh your memory, preventing that niggling little “what was it” which hinders you during the consult.
This non nonsense pocketbook is valuable for all levels of skill being a quick use, basic clinical reference for differential diagnosis or to confirm features, investigations and treatments for those less common diseases.
I think it would be particularly useful for allied health professionals and nurses too.

Posted 1st Jul 2008