alley and O’Connor’s Clinical Examination addresses the core principles and clinical skills that underpin diagnosis for safe, effective medical practice.

The text takes an evidence-based, patient-centric approach to conducting a clinical examination. In Volume 1, readers follow a logical framework ordered by body system, covering history taking, clinical examination and correlation between physical signs and disease for each system. Volume 2 focuses on medical specialties.

Originally written by Nicholas J Talley and Simon O’Connor during their registrar years, this book is uniquely targeted to students undertaking their MD or MBBS and is fully updated with the latest clinical data, including specially commissioned research.


New to this edition
Expanded history taking sections
Increased OSCE content
New clinical photographs

Key Features
OSCE-based scenario videos and multiple-choice questions to assist with examination preparation
Imaging library and ECG case studies for deep understanding
History questions suggesting urgent or important diagnosis specially marked
Differential diagnosis tables to support history taking
Evidence-based medicine references throughout
An eBook included in all print purchases

SECTION 1: THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF HISTORY TAKING AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
1. The general principles of history taking
2. Advanced history taking
3. The general principles of physical examination

SECTION 2: THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
4. The cardiovascular history
5. The cardiac examination
6. The lower limb examination and peripheral vascular disease
7. Correlation of physical signs and cardiovascular disease
8. A summary of the cardiovascular examination and extending the cardiovascular examination

SECTION 3: THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
9. The respiratory history
10. The respiratory examination
11. Correlation of physical signs and respiratory disease
12. A summary of the respiratory examination and extending the respiratory examination

SECTION 4: THE GASTROINTESTINAL SYSTEM
13. The gastrointestinal history
14. The gastrointestinal examination
15. Correlation of physical signs and gastrointestinal disease
16. A summary of the gastrointestinal examination and extending the gastrointestinal examination

SECTION 5: THE GENITOURINARY SYSTEM
17. The genitourinary history
18. The genitourinary examination
19. A summary of the examination of chronic kidney disease and extending the genitourinary examination

SECTION 6: THE HAEMATOLOGICAL SYSTEM
20. The haematological history
21. The haematological examination
22. A summary of the haematological examination and extending the haematological examination

SECTION 7: THE RHEUMATOLOGICAL SYSTEM
23. The rheumatological history
24. The rheumatological examination
25. Correlation of physical signs and rheumatological disease
26. A summary of the rheumatological examination and extending the rheumatological examination

SECTION 8: THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
27. The endocrine history
28. The endocrine examination
29. Correlation of physical signs and endocrine disease
30. A summary of the endocrine examination and extending the endocrine examination

SECTION 9: THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
31. The neurological history
32. The neurological examination: the cranial nerves
33. The neurological examination: speech and higher centres
34. The neurological examination: the peripheral nervous system
35. Correlation of physical signs and neurological syndromes and disease
36. A summary of the neurological examination and extending the neurological examination
37. The psychiatric history and mental health examination

SECTION 10: SPECIALTY EXAMINATIONS
38. The eyes, ears, nose and throat
39. The breasts
40. The skin, nails and lumps
41. A system for the infectious diseases examination
42. Assessment of the geriatric patient
43. Assessment of the acutely ill patient
44. Assessment of death

SECTION 11: PAEDIATRICS
45. The paediatric history and examination
46. The neonatal history and examination

SECTION 12: GYNAECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS
47. The gynaecological history and examination
48. The obstetric history and examination