In a recent JAMA review of two major textbooks of medicine1 it was stated that "instead of emphasizing the clinical examination, they focus on the molecular biology of the disease" and that "perhaps the outstanding feature of these books is their sameness." The reviewer discusses their usefulness for medical students, residents, and board examination candidates. Hurst's Medicine for the Practicing Physician is different because of its problem-oriented organization and in that it emphasizes the information that a doctor needs in order to make a diagnosis and manage the care of the particular patient.
The book is designed to fit Dr Hurst's system of medical practice, as outlined in section 1, chapter 3. He proposes 10 questions for the clinician to answer, which will serve four purposes: to organize subjective and objective clinical manifestations into a database; to create a problem list; to formulate diagnostic, therapeutic, and educational plans with definite