This book is designed as a fast, easy reference for the primary care practitioner to quickly review a topic. Having an up-to-date reference that is convenient is a worthwhile objective, but certain topics are difficult to approach in this manner. Giving such broad subjects as hypertension and diabetes the same amount of discussion as viral warts does not seem appropriate. The editor does state in his preface, though, that this book does not take the place of general textbooks. It is written for the general practitioner who needs a quick brush up on a specific topic in adult medicine. This should not be used as an initial reference for students or others without some knowledge of the areas, since the layout of the book does not lend itself to the detail needed when first learning. Subjects are in alphabetical order, which makes them easy to find. Each topic is divided into diagnostic and treatment lists, with smaller boxes used for differentials and other important pointers. Illustrations are few, but helpful. The need to show a photo in the text and then refer to the color plates for the same color photo, is questionable. Pharmacologic treatments are precise in some areas, general in others. The index includes symptoms, such as cough or weight loss. References, for the most part, are timely and concise. There are three appendixes, which are helpful, but it is unclear why they were chosen. This is a reference for the generalist for quick review. Used in the proper context, this book could be helpful in the daily practice of general medicine.
This book serves as a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of common medical problems. Its chapters, each dedicated to a specific medical problem, consist of two pages of text. The first page discusses diagnosis, with columns dedicated to definitions, symptoms, signs, investigational studies, differential diagnosis, etiology, and epidemiology. The second page focuses on treatment and includes lifestyle and dietary modification, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments, follow-up, prognosis, and a list of current references on the topic. The purpose is to provide a quick reference book for the primary care physician. Although the book is directed toward the primary care physician, it may be helpful for residents and students, particularly during outpatient rotations and clinics. Features of this book include good quality illustrations, mostly current and pertinent references, drug prescribing information, and a table of contents grouped both alphabetically and by specialty to aid the search for topics. Chapters arranged in alphabetical order make it easy to find the page of interest. The book's organization allows the reader to quickly find pertinent information that may be useful at that moment as well as references for future reading. The book's scope is broad, and each page is packed with useful information. The contents are not too detailed, but that makes it easier to find basic facts. References provide a guide for more in-depth reading if desired. The book could be improved by breaking down some of the broader topics into more specific classifications. This book would be a good addition to a physician's office or clinic and should be available in a medicalbookstore for students and residents. The author is to be commended for providing an easy-to-use and fairly comprehensive reference book for the primary care physician.
Reviewer: Krista M. Johnson, MD (University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine)
Description: This book serves as a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of common medical problems. Its chapters, each dedicated to a specific medical problem, consist of two pages of text. The first page discusses diagnosis, with columns dedicated to definitions, symptoms, signs, investigational studies, differential diagnosis, etiology, and epidemiology. The second page focuses on treatment and includes lifestyle and dietary modification, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments, follow-up, prognosis, and a list of current references on the topic.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide a quick reference book for the primary care physician.
Audience: Although the book is directed toward the primary care physician, it may be helpful for residents and students, particularly during outpatient rotations and clinics.
Features: Features of this book include good quality illustrations, mostly current and pertinent references, drug prescribing information, and a table of contents grouped both alphabetically and by specialty to aid the search for topics. Chapters arranged in alphabetical order make it easy to find the page of interest. The book's organization allows the reader to quickly find pertinent information that may be useful at that moment as well as references for future reading.
Assessment: The book's scope is broad, and each page is packed with useful information. The contents are not too detailed, but that makes it easier to find basic facts. References provide a guide for more in-depth reading if desired. The book could be improved by breaking down some of the broader topics into more specific classifications. This book would be a good addition to a physician's office or clinic and should be available in a medical bookstore for students and residents. The author is to be commended for providing an easy-to-use and fairly comprehensive reference book for the primary care physician.
