Textbook of Physical Diagnosis with DVD: History and Examination With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access [Hardcover]

Mark H. Swartz (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1416062033 | ISBN-13: 978-1416062035 | Publication Date: March 3, 2009 | Edition: 6th

Despite the advanced technologies at our disposal today, a complete health history and physical examination remain the most crucial diagnostic tools in any healthcare practitioner's arsenal. And no one teaches these all-important skills better than Mark H. Swartz, MD, FACP. For nearly two decades, Dr. Swartz's textbook has shown readers how to derive the maximum diagnostic information from interviewing and examining patients. Using a compassionate, humanistic approach, Dr. Swartz explores how cultural differences can influence communication, diet, family relationships, and health practices and beliefs, and demonstrates that your interpersonal awareness is just as essential in physical diagnosis as your level of technical skill. In this 6th Edition, a new chapter on the focused physical exam prepares you for the USMLE Step 2 CS and the OSCE. Over 3 hours of video on DVD demonstrate how to examine adult male and female patients as well as pediatric and geriatric patients. Plus you can access the complete contents of the book online at www.studentconsult.com.

• Discussions of special considerations emphasize cultural differences that may affect your approach to patients ... guide you through assessment of nutritional status ... and inform you of things to look for and remember when examining children, pregnant women, older patients, and acutely ill patients.
  
• Pathophysiology explanations help you understand the causes of the symptoms you encounter.
  
• Abundant color photographs capture the real appearance of various diseases.
  
• Coverage of complementary and alternative medicine alerts you to the clinical implications of these increasingly popular modalities.
  
• An appendix on examination of the Spanish-speaking patient provides translations for commonly used medical phrases and questions is available on www.studentconsult.com

• Over 3 hours of video on DVD demonstrate the complete physical exam of an adult male patient, the breast and pelvic exam of an adult female patient, and the examination of pediatric and geriatric patients.
  
• Student Consult access lets you reference the complete contents of the book online, anywhere you go ... perform quick searches ... and add your own notes and bookmarks.
  
• A new chapter on the focused physical exam prepares you for the USMLE Step 2 CS and OSCEs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is an outstanding introductory text for anyone beginning to learn how to conduct a patient interview and perform a physical diagnosis. While there have been numerous books on this topic, and some that have been available for generations, this clearly is one of the very best currently available.

With a limited budget, this is the one book that is worth the price, considering the companion website with the added illustrations. It is an absolute must for every medical library and a tremendous addition for the experienced clinician. Weighted Numerical Score: 100 - 5 Stars!" - Doody's Reviews

"If, as it has been said, a picture is worth a thousand words, this text is worth at least a quarter of a million."

- JAMA, September 2009

Reviewed by Linda Pinsky, MD

University of Washington

Product Details

• Hardcover: 928 pages
• Publisher: Saunders; 6th edition (March 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416062033
• ISBN-13: 978-1416062035
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,590 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > Medical Books > Medicine > Diagnosis
  • #78 in Books > Medical Books > Nursing > Reference

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to the physical exam., July 2, 2010

By 

J. Greene (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Textbook of Physical Diagnosis with DVD: History and Examination With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access (Hardcover)

I think it is the best "first text" on the physical exam out there. The pros to choosing this book over the others are:

1. Targeted specifically to medical students: This book takes nothing for granted and starts with the basics. From principles of a good interview to minutia of the physical exam such as proper draping of a patient, this book covers everything a medical student needs to know for acing Step 2 CS.
2. Organization: Each chapter covers basic anatomy relevant to the physical exam, common signs and symptoms a patient may present with, a step-by-step approach to the physical exam, and clinicopathologic correlations. Each chapter also closes with sample write-ups for that particular part of the exam to give you an idea how to put such information in your note.
3. For the common symptoms, a list of questions are presented that are helpful in gathering more information from the patient's chief complaint. Knowing these is essential for the real-world as well as Step 2 CS. Edit: The Patient History: Evidence-Based Approach (Lange Medical Books) is an outstanding book that goes into much more detail in this area that I would recommend you at least check out from your library.
4. Pictures: each chapter has tons of pictures, most in full color. The pictures illustrate anatomy, follow the step-by-step physical exam, and demonstrate TONS of pathology. There are probably 1000 or more high-quality pictures and they are certainly the highlight of the book. No other book that I am aware of has such great pictures.
5. Videos of Dr. Swartz demonstrating the complete physical exam: Not everything is shown as another reviewer mentioned, but the basics are.
6. Chapters, as well as videos, that deal with specific patient populations such as the elderly, children, and the pregnant patient.

The book, however, is only an introduction and focuses more on the "how" than the "why." After mastering this book, if you are interested in more information on physical diagnosis, you could try DeGowin's Diagnostic Examination, Ninth Edition, Physical Diagnosis Secrets: With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access, or Sapira's Art and Science of Bedside Diagnosis. Each of these have their own strengths and weaknesses but they are all excellent and I would recommend you read the reviews or look at them yourself before you buy them.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars NP Health Assessment, April 7, 2010

By 

D. Fischer "Always enjoys a good book" (Kansas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Textbook of Physical Diagnosis with DVD: History and Examination With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access (Hardcover)

Incredible pictures, very comprehensive, but not very detailed. It is good as far as a textbook goes, but I found I was always having to google something becasue I needed more detail.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST Book on physical diagnosis, December 5, 2009

By 

E. Mirrakhimov - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Textbook of Physical Diagnosis with DVD: History and Examination With STUDENT CONSULT Online Access (Hardcover)

I bought this book as a part of my USMLE STEP 2 CS preparation and i found it essential. DVD which accompanies this book is well prepared, but some aspects of physical exam are not covered, such as Brudzinski and kernig sign, and some others, but any way these minor drawbacks can't this book worse! Simply the best book in this field (i have a lot of them to compare)