The Great Clinical Medicine Textbook Vote

[Addumb]

Having been informed a clinical medicine book is a useful thing to have, I have saved up my pennies from a whole years' worth of flogging various pieces of electronic and mechanical paraphenalia from the dubious confines of my car boot, and am now ready to contribute to lining a publishing firms' pockets.

In terms of factual content, ease of use, lucidity and pretty pictures, which, out of Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine and Kumar & Clark's Clinical Medicine, is the one to get?

Of course, this task should not be undertaken lightly. The rewards for participation are plain to see: receive an acknowledgement in my autobiography should the book pass muster and, more importantly, allow me to pass.
However, set out with a mischievious heart, with a view to scuppering my plans for success by making a false recommendation, and my wrath shall be severe indeed. Let's just say I hope you can swim.

Choose wisely, and remember- which gets bought? You decide.

[Daedalus]

Well, I'm not a med-student yet, but being overly keen I've bought both (bibliophilic fool that I am) 'cos I saw a copy of Davidson going cheap.
Davidson does seem more approachable and compact that K&C, and I like dipping in to it for this & that. But I don't know how good it is for hard core medical study.

Of course, in a fight we all know that Davidson would win because the Scots are much harder than anyone else (although the Glaswegians have a more fearsome reputation than the Edinburghers).

[RobM]

If you're only just starting, I would advise you not to buy a clinical book yet, because there'll be a new edition in two or three years' time. If you really want to get a clinical book now, I would find out what the standard text at your med school is (and the chances are it'll be K&C).

[M Clayton]

Originally Posted by RobM

If you're only just starting, I would advise you not to buy a clinical book yet, because there'll be a new edition in two or three years' time. If you really want to get a clinical book now, I would find out what the standard text at your med school is (and the chances are it'll be K&C).

Addumb is a third year at Durham and the standard text is K&C, but you weren't to know that.

For what it's worth Ad, I like K&C and so does Dr Metcalf.

[Addumb]

thx mac, I er, of course knew that. was just testing.....

:lol:

[binary]

I've somehow or the other got both. They obviously cover similar material but i definitely think Davidson's clearer.

I think the latest editions of both have been out for over a year..and remember the information in these books may be upto two years old as the books get published.

Another clinical medicine book i came across is one by John Axford (i think its called Medicine or Clinical Medicine, which i think surpasses both K&C and davidson's. In hindsight this may have been better.

Best advice, if you want any of these books go to a bookshop and browse yourself. Many bks recommended by others may not always the best suit to your needs.

[kittykatty]

Theres a copy of that davidson one on ebay but postage is £8. Call me tight but i wont pay over a fiver for it and i was outbid :x

[kittykatty]

ive just bid 10.01! Oh no. Please! Someone outbid me!! £18.00 on a book! Is it worth it?? I hope its good! I hope someone outbids me. Damn my ebay/shopping obsession.

[kittykatty]

If whoever outbid me is on here - thanks. Deep down i also feel SLIGHTLY disappointed that i was outbid but i cant afford it so thanks... i suppose.