RT Journal
A1 Altkorn D
T1 Handbook of clinical skills: A practical manual
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2011
FD January 12
VO 305
IS 2
SP 200
OP 204
DO 10.1001/jama.2010.1979
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2010.1979
AB 
The early chapters introduce several interesting concepts, including prudence in decision making, which “differentiates the reflexive from the reflective action, judiciousness from recklessness.” Chapter 3, “Getting to Know the Patient—Disease, Illness, and Illness Behavior,” discusses the importance of considering all aspects of the patient experience: disease, illness (the patient's experience of disease), and predicament (“the complex of psychosocial issues which impinge upon the individual”). Although this holistic approach is certainly not new, the author presents a practical framework and meaningful examples from his practice. Chapter 4 focuses on key skills, providing an interesting table of ways to improve listening skills and an interdisciplinary method of improving observational skills through discussion of artwork.