Practical and Professional Clinical Skills

Medical students are required to assimilate a huge amount of knowledge. However, to be effective practitioners, they must also be able to apply this knowledge in the context of patient care. Practical and Professional Clinical Skills sets out the full range of clinical skills that medicine students must be able to demonstrate.

Compiled by editors with expertise in clinical skills education, the book has at its core a focus on professionalism, and on treating the patient with respect, dignity, and kindness.

The book is divided into four suites:
DT History and Examination Skills
DT Procedural Skills
DT Emergency Skills
DT Professional Skills
Taken together, these suites provide unrivalled coverage of the subject.

The book:
Provides step-by-step procedures: with a balance of guidance, rationale and illustrative content.
Relates skills to relevant basic science, be this anatomical (e.g. sites of injection), physiological (reactions), or microbiological (maintaining a sterile environment).
Encourages the blended development of practical flair and professional competence, promoting the importance of learning skills in the context of professional domains, including communication skills.
Encourages students to take advantage of appropriate opportunities to improve their techniques, maximise their confidence and foster a safe learning environment for themselves, and a safe clinical environment for their patients.
Ensures students are mindful of patient status, seeking appropriate opportunities to undertake skills, and raising awareness of the well / unwell patient
Prepares students to encounter medical emergencies, with indications of important first line management, and detail on structured management as part of the medical team.

Alongside clear, step-by-step guidance, the book uses OSCE-style competency assessment checklists throughout to encourage the student to verify that they can correctly implement the guidance and skills presented.

Practical and Professional Clinical Skills is the one resource you won't want to be without to ensure mastery of all clinical skills - and to ensure professional success.

Online Resource Centre

For registered adopters of the text:
Figures from the book, available to download.

For all:
Downloadable versions of the competency assessment checklists presented in the text.