Author: Graham Douglas BSc(Hons) MBChB FRCPE Dr., Fiona Nicol BSc(Hons) MB BS FRCGP FRCPE Dr., Colin Robertson BA(Hons) MB ChB FRCPE FRCS(Ed)
By Churchill Livingstone

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An Essential Companion, 2010-07-12
This is without doubt a brilliant book. In the opening chapters, I found the "History Taking" to be exceptionally well covered, it was both concise and yet detailed to help me build on the basic structure I have acquired thus far at Nottingham. I don't doubt that I will refer to this chapter in the future.
In order to make the most of this book you will need to accustom yourself with the layout, which I found initially somewhat strange if/when I referred to it sporadically but once you've read a chapter through it all makes The chapter is laid out to initially introduce the system and a diagram of the body identifying areas of examination and what to look for, leading on to a refresh of the anatomy and the symptoms/definitions relevant to that chapter. In this regard it is quite comprehensive and should comfortably get you through MedSchool OSCE's.
There are numerous diagrams and tables ideal for quick reference. The diagrams in particular are excellent, they're very clear, and this sort of text would not be complete with pictures dotted around. Importantly there is no excess of laborious text, which is very handy. For those who prefer to read paragraphs of solid text, the tables/diagrams may actually be somewhat irritating although I was comfortable with it.
I used this book for my second year OSCE's and found that the videos (on the DVD) were helpful (though a couple of them are insanely formal and thus quite patronising to watch), I can't see myself using the videos a lot in the future, somehow I don't feel they are all that detailed, but for the level I am currently at it was certainly useful, I suspect this aspect will be improved in the future editions.
In conclusion this book cannot really fail to give you a solid foundation to start with, and so consequently serves its purpose. We've heard it said before that such skills are best learnt at the bedside, an aid like this will not go astray!

Author: Graham Douglas BSc(Hons) MBChB FRCPE Dr. Fiona Nicol BSc(Hons) MB BS FRCGP FRCPE Dr. Colin Robertson BA(Hons) MB ChB FRCPE FRCS(Ed)
By Churchill Livingstone; 12 edition