This book contains authentic case histories from John Murtagh's hands-on experience in General Practice. You can learn from the master! John Murtagh's "Cautionary Tales" is drawn from over 30 years experience as a General Practitioner. Taken primarily from Professor Murtagh's own practice in rural Victoria, these cautionary tales are authentic cases in clinical practice and the mistakes and problems that GPs can encounter. Each story is an engaging example of the common mistakes which can occur in general practice and provides the reader with valuable insights. Each tale is enriched with psychological, social and environmental factors that form part of every patient problem. The addition of a section called 'Discussions and lessons learned' at the end of each tale further enhances the value and application of each case to real life practice. It is an invaluable source for students, educators and practicing GPs of all ages.

About the Author

John Murtagh, AM, is Executive Director, Education at the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Adjunct Professor of General Practice at the Department of Community Medicine and General Practice , Monash University, Victoria, Australia.

Table of Contents

1. Embarrassing moments 2. Great mimics 3. Masquerades and pitfalls 4. Endocrine tales 5. Sinister, deadly and not to be missed 6. See a doctor, support a lawyer 7. Red faces 8. Crisis and death 9. The concealment syndrome 10. Families in conflict 11. Tales of the unexpected 12. Sacked and rejected 13. Musculoskeletal twists and turns 14. Special senses 15. Sexual twists and capers 16. Feverish problems 17. Neurological dilemmas 18. Children and brain-teasers 19. Growing old 20. Mysteries of the mind 21. Emergencies, home and roadside visits 22. Lessons in communication 23. Odd syndromes 24. Cautionary methods: towards a safe diagnostic strategy Index