Tips from past students
- Ensure that you are observed by a tutor frequently.
- Practice the skills (at the Clinical Skills Centre [CSC], home, hospital). Some equipment is available for short loan.
- Practice asking permission to examine as part of the experience (even when
you practice on peers and/or family).
- Be aware that doctors develop their own style and preferences for ways of
performing skills.
- Ask for feedback. If it is not specific, ask for clarification.
- Develop a systematic approach to examination.
Recommended texts
Choose one of the following:
- Talley, N.J., & O’Connor, S. (Eds.). (2010). Clinical Examination: A Systematic Guide to
Physical Diagnosis (6th ed.). Sydney: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
> Historically, this is the text that The University of Auckland has recommended
(Australasian authors).
- Douglas, G., Nicol, F., & Robertson, C. (Eds.). (2009). MacLeod’s Clinical Examination
(12th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier.
> This text is popular in the United Kingdom.
- Swash, M. (Ed.). (2007). Hutchison’s Clinical Methods: An integrated approach to clinical
practice (22nd ed.). Edinburgh: Saunders Elsevier.
> Previous editions less popular than either of the above.
Web-based resources
Some useful training videos can be found at:
You will also find some training videos on YouTube. Do remember to be selective
and critical.
If you come across a useful resource, please share it with one of the CSC team.
