Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis

Rating:
Summary: I cannot stress enough how excellent this book is!
Review: I am a 3rd year medical student and this book has been a lifesaver more times than I can count. Like most books of its kind, each chapter is based on a single symptom followed by a list of the most common diseases or processes that cause the symptom. However, the difference is that for each of the items in the differential the author gives a VERY BRIEF description of THE MOST pertinent positives and negatives, and these help you, the medical student (read "novice"), differentiate between them quickly. This book is so well organized and so easily and quickly read it will amaze you. Keep in mind, however, that this book doesn't give you all of the symptoms for each item in the differential, nor does it give an absolutely complete or exhaustive differential for each symptom, so if that is what you are looking for this book isn't for you. One other bonus though, this book fits very easily into a coat pocket.

Rating:
Summary: great for med students; fits in your pocket!
Review: I am a third year med student and this book is great! It takes a single finding from your history and physical exam and gives a differential to boot. There is even a brief description of all the things listed in the differential. It even has color plates in the back of common findings. Definitely a book to look into for all of you starting out like I am.