Direct Diagnosis.Herbert W. Copelan. Chapel Hill, NC: Professional Press, 2002. ISBN ISBN abbr. International Standard Book Number ISBN International Standard Book Number ISBN n abbr (= International Standard Book Number) → ISBN m : 0971972907. The practice of clinical medicine is both an art and a science. Recent advances in evidence-based medicine evidence-based medicine Decision-making 'The use of scientific data to confirm that proposed diagnostic or therapeutic procedures are appropriate in light of their high probability of producing the best and most favorable outcome'. See Meta-analysis. and the vast array of laboratory investigations available are gradually shifting the balance toward the cold, impersonal, scientific aspect of clinical medicine. History taking, however, is important not only because of the various facts gleaned but especially because of patients' gestures and expressions. An inexperienced clinician may miss these gestures and expressions. Experienced, seasoned clinicians are able to develop a short list of differential diagnoses after taking an adequate history. Unfortunately, most practicing clinicians do not have the time to take a good history and thus relegate rel·e·gate tr.v. rel·e·gat·ed, rel·e·gat·ing, rel·e·gates 1. To assign to an obscure place, position, or condition. 2. To assign to a particular class or category; classify. See Synonyms at commit. history taking to ancillary staff in their office. Regrettably, too, the present curriculum of medical schools is so weighted that relatively little time is spent teaching students how to take a good history. The book Direct Diagnosis by Herbert W. Copelan attempts to correct this deficiency. The author selected 16 different symptoms to illustrate how the patient's history, gestures, and expressions can be used to narrow down gradually the list of differential diagnoses and ultimately reach the final diagnosis. The symptoms discussed include chest pain, dyspnea dyspnea /dysp·nea/ (disp-ne´ah) labored or difficult breathing.dyspne´ic paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea and edema edema (ĭdē`mə), abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body tissues or in the body cavities causing swelling or distention of the affected parts. , palpitation palpitation (păl'pĭtā`shən), abnormal heartbeat that is often associated with a sensation of fluttering or thumping. The normal heartbeat is not noticeable to the individual. , leg pain, acute abdominal pain, nonacute abdominal pain, syncope syncope Effect of temporary impairment of blood circulation to a part of the body. It is often used as a synonym for fainting, which is loss of consciousness due to inadequate blood flow to the brain. , vertigo and dizziness, headache, sore throat, joint pain, fatigue, weight loss, weight gain, and erectile dysfunction. Each of these symptoms is discussed briefly in a separate chapter. In addition, one chapter is devoted to fluid and electrolyte abnormalities, another to the neurological examination, and another to the physical examination. This well-organized book also contains a number of clinical pearls that are helpful in diagnosing the patient's underlying disease. The use of boldface type in appropriate places makes it easy for the reader to find various section s of interest quickly. The book is easy to read and should be of interest to clinicians, regardless of their level of experience. It also should be useful to medical students, residents, and fellows. |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion