Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking » (10th Edition)

Lynn S. Bickley, MD is the Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York.

Robert A. Hoekelman, MD is the Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York.

The Tenth Edition of this classic text provides the best foundation for performing physical examinations and taking patient history. The book features a beautiful full-color art program and a clear, simple two-column format, with highly visual step-by-step examination techniques on the left and abnormalities with differential diagnoses on the right.

This edition's health promotion sections have been extensively updated and expanded in all chapters. Detailed information on pain assessment is now included in the general survey, vital signs, and pain chapter. A new chapter presents assessment of mental health status and behavior to encompass the psychosocial dimensions of care. Other highlights include increased evidence-based content and over 50 new drawings and photos.

A bound-in CD-ROM and companion Website include 5 Approach to Patient videos, 15 Head-to-Toe Examination videos, 25 Assessment videos, heart and breath sounds, the Center for Disease Control's pediatric growth chart, and journal articles.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Carole A. Kenner, RNC, DNS, FAAN(University of Oklahoma College of Nursing)
Description: This text is as the title suggests a guide to physical examination and history taking. It is aimed at the student that is just learning the foundational assessment, physical examination skills. This is the ninth edition with the previous one published in 2003.
Purpose: The purpose is to assist the beginning level health professional student with conducting history and physicals. It is meant to help the student apply clinical reasoning through its pedagogy. These are worthy objectives and are met.
Audience: The audience is the student in the health professions. This is according to the author and reviewer. The author is well known and highly credible.
Features: The book begins with the foundations of physical examination and moves into the regional examinations, and finally ends with life span examinations. The chapters are according to body systems and follow a head to toe approach. The list of tables at the beginning of the text helps the reader find specific information quickly. The companion CD is a wonderful addition to supplement the print material. Use of color photos help reinforce the content and are great for visual learners.
Assessment: The other book on the market that is similar is Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination, 6th edition, 2006, published by Elsevier. The Bates' book offers test generator and comprehensive manual including an image bank accompanying ready materials in a learning management system whereas Seidel's has a fully integrated online package. However, Bates' bookis very good and the newest edition more information on the older adult and the pediatric client-two very needed areas. It also increased the content on the skin and mental status. Again, these are needed areas. All and all this text is a very good beginning guide for students and is easy to use for faculty. It would be a welcomed addition to a student's library.