Hi. I'm someone who has studied a basic physical diagnosis textbook (ie. Bates, Swartz, Mosby's), and am now looking to purchase either the DeGowin or the Sapira books. Aside from portability issues -- DeGowin being pocketbook sized -- can anyone comment on other differences between these two texts? Can either of these texts answer questions like sensitivity/specificity of egophony vs bronchophony vs whispered pectoriloquy in the setting of lung consolidation? If not, any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

BTW, is it bad form to be posting this in multiple forums? I suspect it is, but perhaps posting this question in the Family Medicine or even the new Mentor forum could be helpful.

I would have to say Sapira's is superior of the two texts. DeGowin's might be better for a structured curriculum and earlier in training, but Sapira's is far more interesting overall and covers subtleties not explored in the former.

found this old thread and wanted to bump it since I'm currently debating between these 2 diagnostic skills book. Any input/opinions would be much appreciated.

Sapira is much more interesting