SC has listed several texts for our Intro. Clin. Med. & Physical Diagnosis classes and there appears to be a significant amount of disparity over which texts are the best sources.

They require one of the texts below for Physical Diagnosis & one text/one reference for Intro. Clin. Med:


Physical Diagnosis:

Textbook of Physical Diagnosis; Swartz, M.D., 4th Edition, 2002; W.B. Saunders; ISBN: 072169411X

Physical Examination and History Taking; Bates, M.D., 8th Edition, 2002; Lippincott; ISBN: 0781735114


Intro To Clinical Medicine:

Texts:

Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine; Thaler, Hope, Longmore; 1st Edition, 1999; Oxford University Press; ISBN: 019512572X

Harrison's Manual of Medicine; Braunwald, Fauci, Kasper, Hauser, Longo, Jameson; 15th Edition, 2001; McGraw-Hill; ISBN: 0071373772

Reference:

Clinical Medicine; Kumar, Clark; 5th Edition, 2002; WB Saunders; ISBN: 0702025798

Cecil Textbook of Medicine; Goldman, Ausiello; 22nd Edition, 2003; WB Saunders; ISBN: 072169652X

Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine; Braunwald, Fauci, Kasper, Hauser, Longo, Jameson; 15th Edition, 2003; McGraw-Hill; ISBN: 0070072728


Any insight on which of these texts are superior and why would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

..........................

I used bates and i have to admit that I didn't like it much. neither did most of my class. Dr. L was also pretty adamant that he though Bates was crappy and recommended Shwartz. There was a big argument at the time, between the associate dean and Dr. L over which was better so i guess that is why they just let you choose which you prefer now.

I looked at Shwartz a little since some of the people in my class had it and I thought it was better also. However, make sure and get ahold of the Bates vidoes. The school used to have them and let us watch them, i bet they still do. maybe you can make copies of the CD's. The vidoes are just basically examples of how to do each exam, but there is some teaching with it and they are very helpful.

As far as ICM;

It is a waste to try and use Big harrisons, it is way too much for a 10 week course, but the suggested harrisons MANUAL (not textbook) may be ok. If you want to do IM then it would definately be advantageous to have the textbook though.

Kumar and clark is great and so is cecils.

Davidson's principles and practice of medicine is also really good and an easy read.

But for a simple, straight forward, and a nice read.. i highly recommend The Principles and Practice of Medicine by Stobo et all

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/boo...XT=Y&itm=2

The downside of all these books though, is that none of them cover the surgical, neuro, OB/GYN, and other non-IM cases presented in the class. If the class is done similar to the way it used to be done though, the notes should suffice. But if you feel you need a reference text, you may consider getting some of the clinical books recommended for our rotations: http://www.stchris.edu/bookstore.htm

__________________
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4th Year
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- Dennis Leary

My class used Bates but we realized that it was missing some details in certain sections. As time went by, we realized that the instructor was adding stuff from Swartz and from her own experience. Both books are fine but realize the instructor will use a number of resources to cover the gaps. Also realize that these books come in small handbooks as well and are great to use during lab time.




Just purchase one of these handbooks. If you get the Oxford Handbook, make sure you get the blue "American Edition."



You really don't need these books. These are for people who like to read large references. Like bts said, the notes are sufficient.

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Official Student Representative
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bates pocket guide is good for quick referrence. you learn from a big book of your choice then annotate the margins in the pocket guide and you are all set

__________________
OBGYN PGY II
I see light at the end of the tunnel!!!...wait a minute its just another freakin tunnel!

i took PD last term.....use Schwatz...its an easy read and the prof. follows his notes religiously.... the only time you will need a book is for the physical exam, to learn some of the differentials relevant with certain tests as they are asked by the prof.s..otherwise i felt her notes are adequate.

for ICM....all u really need is the small pocket Harrison's or even the WAshington Manual will work....Dr. Omar's class is entirely questions-based and it is redundant to use a big book to flop around cuz u learn a lot more listening to him....also if u have the baby Robbins, its useful to look up some of those obscure disease being talked about.