Brendan Cantwell – författare

Understand the why behind every clinical sign. Mechanisms of Clinical Signs remains the only text dedicated to explaining the physiological and pathophysiological basis of clinical examination findings.Despite the emergence of technological advancements and artificial intelligence in diagnostic modalities, clinical examination remains essential to the diagnostic and therapeutic process. Rather than describing examination techniques in isolation, this fourth edition reveals the mechanisms that underpin each sign, the relationship to potential underlying disease processes and strengthens diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision-making as part of this fundamental skill set.

Clear explanations link functional anatomy, physiology and disease processes to the signs elicited at the bedside. Stepwise descriptions of technique are integrated with discussions of predictive value, clinical utility and supporting evidence, encouraging readers to ask not only how to examine, but why.

Chapters have been comprehensively updated, with the addition of new and contemporary signs, expanded critical care content relevant to the intensive care setting and increased inclusion of imaging-based signs where appropriate. Signs no longer supported by current practice have been revised or removed, and areas of limited evidence are clearly identified, promoting critical appraisal and evidence-informed examination.

Flow diagrams and structured explanations simplify complex mechanisms, making the text accessible for early learners while remaining rigorous for advanced trainees.

Prepared by a group of leading international scholars, the chapters investigate the multiple interconnections between higher education and society and the vast range of social, economic, political and cultural functions carried out by universities, colleges and institutes and their personnel. The benefits of higher education include employable graduates, new knowledge via research and scholarship, climate science and global connections, and the structuring of economic and social opportunities for whole populations, as well as work and advice for government at all levels. Higher education not only lifts earnings and augments careers, it also immerses students in knowledge, helps to shape them as people, and fosters productivity, democracy, tolerance and international understanding. The book highlights the value added by higher education for persons, organisations, communities, cities, nations, and the world. It also focuses on inequalities in the distribution of that value, and finds that the tools for assessing higher education are neither adequate nor complete as yet.

International and interdisciplinary in scope, this book will prove an invaluable resource to students and scholars of higher education, educational policy and social policy. It will also prove a useful resource to both university executives and tertiary education policymakers who want to make higher education more effectively accountable to the public.

Crafted as a sophisticated entry point, this Handbook takes a wide look at the topic, the state of contemporary research, and future directions. An array of expert international contributors examine important and contentious issues such as who should pay, how to keep higher education accountable, the assurance of quality, boosting productivity and affordability, and the role of states and markets. Experts explain how universities relate to states and societies, the political economy of higher education, planning and resource allocation, regulation and quality, and the politics of stakeholder interests.

Unpacking key issues for both researchers new to the sector and experts alike, this topical Handbook will prove essential and thought-provoking reading for government policymakers, social science researchers, higher education executives, as well as instructors of graduate courses.

Contributors include: B. Cantwell, H. Coates, A. Boggs, J. Brennan, A. Calderon, D.G. Carew, B. Chapman, G. Croucher, G. Davis, R. Deem, T. Depaola, D. Dohmen, R. Fearnside, C.A. Goldman, A. Grimm, E. Halford, T. Hicks, E. Jerez, B. Jongbloed, A. Kezar, R. King, M. Klemencic, D. Kristoffersen, M. Krongkaew, S. Lee, B. Lepori, M. Lodge, R. Middlehurst, K. Moore, Å. Olsson, B.Y. Park, A. Pettigrew, S. Popenici, B. Pusser, S. Robertson, P. Rohan, C. Sá, E. Sabzalieva, D. Van Damme, M. Van Der Wende, M. Vukasovic, R. Wagenaar, S.U. Weerakkody, M. Wells, R. Yang, C. Ziguras