Evidence-Based Physical Examination

Book excerpt: The first book to teach physical assessment techniques based on evidence and clinical relevance. Grounded in an empirical approach to history-taking and physical assessment techniques, this text for healthcare clinicians and students focuses on patient well-being and health promotion. It is based on an analysis of current evidence, up-to-date guidelines, and best-practice recommendations. It underscores the evidence, acceptability, and clinical relevance behind physical assessment techniques. Evidence-Based Physical Examination offers the unique perspective of teaching both a holistic and a scientific approach to assessment. Chapters are consistently structured for ease of use and include anatomy and physiology, key history questions and considerations, physical examination, laboratory considerations, imaging considerations, evidence-based practice recommendations, and differential diagnoses related to normal and abnormal findings. Case studies, clinical pearls, and key takeaways aid retention, while abundant illustrations, photographic images, and videos demonstrate history-taking and assessment techniques. Instructor resources include PowerPoint slides, a test bank with multiple-choice questions and essay questions, and an image bank. This is the physical assessment text of the future. Key Features: Delivers the evidence, acceptability, and clinical relevance behind history-taking and assessment techniques Eschews “traditional” techniques that do not demonstrate evidence-based reliability Focuses on the most current clinical guidelines and recommendations from resources such as the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Focuses on the use of modern technology for assessment Aids retention through case studies, clinical pearls, and key takeaways Demonstrates techniques with abundant illustrations, photographic images, and videos Includes robust instructor resources: PowerPoint slides, a test bank with multiple-choice questions and essay questions, and an image bank Purchase includes digital access for use on most mobile devices or computers