Proper Doctoring · A Book for Patients and Their Doctors (New York Review Books) by Mendel, David -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Biographical Notes Title page Copyright and More Information Contents Introduction Preface to the 2013 Edition Proper Doctoring

Preface Acknowledgements 1. THE JOB DESCRIPTION

The Importance of Common-sense Polishing Your Performance Craftsmanship Patient Handling, or Why Medicine Is Not Mechanics The Doctor–Patient Relationship from the Doctor’s End Doctors and the Media Too Clever by Half The Need for Role-Playing in Medicine Rehearsing Your Role Type-cast by Nature Playing Your Role Looking the Part Confidentiality

2. TAKING THE HISTORY

Before Calling the Patient In The Patient’s Stance The Doctor’s Stance Meeting the Patient Taking the History: Why and How The Patient’s Story How to Ask Questions Getting the Answers How Am I Doing? Diagnosis “Difficult” Patients Children Third Parties Confidentiality Writing Up the History Past History, Family History and Social History

3. EXAMINATION OF THE PATIENT

Preparing for the Examination: Putting the Patient at Ease The Doctor’s Stance During the Examination Getting the Hang of Physical Signs The Actual Examination Evaluating the Physical Signs

4. IN THE WARD

The Effect of Ward Life on the Patient Talking to Patients Decision-Making at the Bedside The Megaround Dodging the Column Changing the Medication Discharge from Hospital Ward Notes

5. INVESTIGATION

Factors Influencing the Ordering of Tests Is the Test Worth While? Telling the Patient About Tests The Actual Investigation When Things Go Wrong The Patient Who Refuses to Have a Test Done The Interpretation of Tests Telling the Patient About the Results of the Tests Filing of Results

6. ON THE ART OF DIAGNOSIS

The Logical Basis of Diagnosis Pattern Recognition The Physiological Approach Goodness of Fit: The Basis of Pattern Recognition The Importance of “Mechanisms” Attitude to Information Incommensurable Values Making the Diagnosis

7. ADVICE AND EXPLANATION

Deciding What Advice to Give The Consultation Building Up the Doctor–Patient Relationship How Much to Tell the Patient Explanation Reassurance Helping the Patient to Adjust to the Facts If the Patient Rejects Your Advice Drugs Fatal Diseases and Death

8. ATTITUDE TO COLLEAGUES

Hearsay Second Opinions Colleagues as Patients Relations with Non-medical Colleagues

ENVOI

The Response to Change Unchanging Aspects

Subject Index