Evidence-based diagnosis in primary care - Paul Glasziou

This book has been prepared by professionals working in the UK and sets out the principles and practice of EBM in primary care diagnosis. Giving guidance on over 100 symptoms and disorders, the book illustrates the fundamental issues: that the value of a history, examination and investigation depends on the patient's prior probability of disease and on the setting and expertise of the doctor. Many chapters feature "red flags" - elements of the history or examination that should alert us to the possibility of serious disease, which are vital for general practice.

• Covers 44 common presentations and 34 common disorders including many of the most difficult clinical situations general practitioners face.
• Focuses on symptoms notorious for their diagnostic difficulty (e.g dizziness, fatigue) and disorders that are always in the GP's mind because of their seriousness (e.g. acute coronary syndrome, meningitis, deep vein thrombosis).
• The research evidence is presented in sufficient detail for the reader to understand its value and its limitations.
• The chapters are illustrated by examples that show the GP at work, illustrating how the evidence can be applied or that the evidence is unable to help with the situation posed.
• Much of the research quoted in the book is international in flavour, especially from the USA, Canada, and the rest of Europe, as well as the UK.
• Linked to the new edition of Practical General Practice by the same editor