In the space of 10 minutes, how do you confidently assess your patient's condition and make an accurate diagnosis? This concise guide provides a systematic way of collecting the essential clinical information swiftly and effectively. The individual disease sections are uniformly structured to provide: Key features of the history, including questions relevant to patients and important for making a diagnosis The 'value' of present or absent symptoms for diagnosis and prognosis What should be examined and why A summary of 'red flags' - issues that must be assessed Important differential diagnoses and their clinical features Useful tips, tricks and hints for effective patient assessment Every health professional, who has to assess patients under time constraints, as well as advanced medical students preparing for final exams, will find this new, easily accessible and comprehensive guide invaluable Being responsible for dealing with most of the health problems of most of the population most of the time is quite a challenge...Both students and doctors, and not just those at the start of their careers, will benefit from reading this beautifully structured book which will help them get the very best out of clearly focused consultations. Combined with the vital attributes of listening and caring, using the knowledge and support this book provides will help us all become more effective doctors. -Professor David Haslam , CBE, FRCP, FFPH, FRCGP, Past President of the Royal College of General Practitioners, London, UK