by Prabhu Shivananda
The Pocket Manual on The Art of History Taking depicts a general planner of history taking and students are advised to refer Textbooks or Clinical Manuals for detailed symptomatology associated with individual organ systems. An effort has been made to encourage the students of surgery to empathize with the patient, communicate effectively with him and finally understand him and his illness. This understanding when coupled with clinical and theory knowledge and common sense will lead to the correct diagnosis in most cases. It is realized that no advance in technology will replace the clinician. Rational use of technology needs even better understanding of clinical aspect of the pathology. The satisfaction of having been able to help a patient only through better communicative skills is effective.
