David Miller, University of Glasgow

Being like so many raised on a diet of MacLeods for clinical examination since a tender 1st year, I was somewhat reluctant to look at another clinical examination book. After all, if it isn’t broken don’t fix it, MacLeods served my needs, why bother looking elsewhere. How wrong I was. I have been wholly converted and while I still use my MacLeods, I cannot recommend enough the Textbook of Physical Diagnosis. What makes it different is its level of detail and the chronological and manner in which it attacks the regional examination. There are many distinguished doctors who will regale to medical students that the most important attribute of a good doctor is to be skilled at history and examination. Never has a truer word been said. While many clinical examination texts fail to cover elements like the ophthalmic examination, dermatological examination, nutritional status examination to any measurable degree, the textbook of physical diagnosis definitely does. Indeed it also includes paediatric, pregnant and geriatric examination chapters. There are some nice chapters on the general approach to patients and history taking which on first appearance appears very fluffy and too airy fairy for my liking but I was surprised to find some nuggets of information in them from tips and tricks to dealing with alcoholic and angry patients to sexual history. There is an excellent DVD including clinical examination videos. Once you get over the similarities of Dr Swartz to a certain Simpsons character, the content is actually very sound and reliable. Dr Swartz’s method of examination is very thorough and even to the most clinically seasoned of medical student and junior doctor, there are many tips and tricks to pick up. In conclusion, Swartz Textbook of Physical Diagnosis is an undiscovered gem, it is the most thorough and comprehensive textbook of history and examination technique I have used.

Posted 28th Dec 2008