Handbook of Clinical Skills

Introduction to history taking and examination. Principles of prescribing and prescribing practice. The cardiovascular system. The respiratory system. The gastrointestinal system. The locomotor system. The nervous system. The female reproductive system. The male reproductive system. The endocrine system. The skin. Assessment of the psychiatry patient. Paediatric history and examination. The clinical assessment in general practice.

First published in 2002, this was one of the first handbooks to focus on the practical application of skills including consultation aimed specifically at medical students and newly-qualified juniors and is extremely well thought of, both in the UK and internationally. This long-awaited revision remains readable, concise and pocket-sized, while being thoroughly updated to reflect the latest requirements of these groups including consent, confidentiality & record keeping, with new chapters on Prescribing and Skills in general practice, procedures reflecting the latest Core Curriculum, and online video material to help students put their acquired skills into effective clinical practice.

Jane Dacre was elected president of the RCP in April 2014. She is an honorary consultant physician and rheumatologist at the Whittington Hospital in north London, professor of medical education, and director of UCL Medical School in London where she is the chair of several teaching related committees and is actively involved in the leadership, management and design of the MBBS programme. She was also the medical director of MRCP(UK) until December 2013, and prior to that academic vice president of the RCP. Professor Dacre was a GMC council member, and chaired the GMC Education and Training Committee (2008–2012). She also leads a research programme in medical education focussing on assessment. She was the clinical lead for the development of the first Clinical Skills Centre in the UK, and a co-author of the GALS screen. Professor Dacre has been instrumental in the development, implementation and evaluation of assessment systems in medicine. In 2012 she won the ‘medicine and healthcare’ category for the Women in the City: Woman of Achievement Award. In 2013 she was named in the Health Service Journal’s inaugural list of 50 inspirational women in healthcare. Peter Kopelman is currently Principal of St George's University of London. His main clinical interest is in type 1 and type 2 diabetes.