The book is divided into two sections: Part 1 focuses on the clinical examination of each body system, and Part 2 summarises the core knowledge required for the understanding of specific diseases relevant to each body system.

The key to the book's success lies in the first part which is structured and styled very much in the manner of a manual on techniques of physical examination. The book helps the examination candidates carry out an examiner's request to perform a specific examination and hence is an excellent preparation tool for OSCEs. Description of the clinical approach is built around the questions most commonly asked and is designed to get medical students to work systematically as if they have been practising medicine for years. The second part of the book is a short textbook of medicine: a summary of basic clinical facts, organised by body system, and under the usual headings of clinical presentation, investigation and management.