Essential Examination, third edition: Step-by-step guides to clinical examination scenarios with practical tips and key facts for OSCEs

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It is advisable to have at least 2 years’ clinical experience working in hospitals after you have received your primary medical qualification. I love the fact that this book is really condensed - has everything that you need to know about each examination in a couple of pages. In the UK, directly after graduation from medical school, the first step of training in medicine is two years of foundation training in a UK hospital. This covers all of the common systems in a step-by-step fashion, distilling things down to its essentials in a 'review' format. There used to be a 20 minute station dedicated to a single communications and ethics encounter — this was considered too long.

There are now two communication encounters instead of one (stations 1+4), where examiners observe and assess 10-minute interactions with patients/surrogates. Now in full colour, the book is essential reading if you are learning how to examine patients, or preparing for an OSCE. Often there are many ways of examining for the same thing in medicine; in such cases I have described either the method preferred by specialists, or where no consensus exists, the method that I find the easiest.In summary, I would thoroughly recommend this for any medical student wanting an easy way to brush up on their examination techniques, and especially for newbies, as it guides you through the exam step-by-step. Now in full colour, the book retains the unique format and approach of the original which has proved so popular:Clear, step-by-step guides to each examination, including useful things to say to the patient (or an examiner), detailed descriptions of special tests, etc. By using the Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms and Conditions. Some examinations, of course, follow their own unique sequence; these are the most difficult to learn and so you must become very familiar with them. I bought this book on the recommendation of a friend and it is the most comprehensive, logical, and concise summary of examination technique I have found presented in a clean and legible bullet point format.

I am a second year medical student, and I bought this book on the recommendation of a fifth year medical student who was teaching me. When you are expected to give differentials for findings this book will help with that 👌🏼 it also covers heart murmurs, skin lesions, PR exam.

Two new assessments have also been introduced (stations 2+5) where candidates have 15 minutes to undertake a clinical consultation (obtain a detailed history, conduct a physical examination and identify clinical signs, plus advise on management) before they are questioned by the examiner. The old PACES was changed to reflect changes in postgraduate medical education, training and assessment, as well as the workplace. But you also need to complete a ‘ Form of Faith’, which confirms you are of good professional standing and agree to uphold the specified standards of professional development and conduct of the Royal Colleges of Physicians. It goes through the examinations step by step and has additional information on possible abnormal findings and viva questions and space for your own notes. The book is well presented for learning examinations; using a table format, explanations are given without detracting from the process of the examination.

I bought the book primarily because it seemed to be perfect for what I needed it for "I am a second year medical student, and I bought this book on the recommendation of a fifth year medical student who was teaching me. Now in full colour, the book retains the unique format and approach of the original which has proved so popular: Clear, step-by-step guides to each examination, including useful things to say to the patient (or an examiner), detailed descriptions of special tests, etc.It features all the core and specialties examinations and has a detailed list like description of all the steps you need to take to complete each examination. In a separate column is a collection of key information: potential findings, differential diagnoses of clinical signs and practical tips. Station 2 used to test history taking without a physical examination – this was considered rather unrealistic and has been modified to include a physical examination. It is assumed that core skills like this become second nature as they are taught time and time again in clinical teaching. On the following pages there are facts relating to that particular examination and, in many sections, there are also tips on how to present your findings succinctly – a skill which is crucial to master for exam success.