Rating: 
Summary: Good format but out of date!
Review: Several years ago, word was out that this was the book to use for Step 3 review. That may have been the case, but it is no longer. I saw this book was out in a 4th (2001) edition, so assumed it would be up to 2001 standard of care. Unfortunately, each section ends with a couple of references, and most of these were dated from 1992-1996.When I saw penicillin G recommended as S. pneumonia treatment, my red flag went up (30% of community S. pneumonia isolates were Pen-resistant in 2000), and when I saw cisapride recommended as definitive treatment for heartburn - well, that drug's been off the market for safety reasons for 2 years. So I closed the book - I'm a neurologist, I can't be expected to know what *else* is out of date in here! I realize that Swanson's multiple choice format is no longer appropriate to the new patient-oriented boards, but I was surprised to discover such out-of-date content, too, in a book ostensibly dated 2001. USMLE Step takers and all other physicians, purchase and read only with great caution - I suggest using a different book.
Rating: 
Summary: Out of date! Beware.
Review: Several years ago, word was out that this was the book to use for Step 3 review. That may have been the case, but it is no longer. I saw this book was out in a 4th (2001) edition, so assumed it would be up to 2001 standard of care. Unfortunately, each section ends with a couple of references, and most of these were dated from 1992-1996. When I saw penicillin G recommended as S. pneumonia treatment, my red flag went up (30% of community S. pneumonia isolates were Pen-resistant in 2000), and when I saw cisapride recommended as definitive treatment for heartburn - well, that drug's been off the market for safety reasons for 2 years. So I closed the book - I'm a neurologist, I can't be expected to know what *else* is out of date in here! I realize that Swanson's multiple choice format is no longer appropriate to the new patient-oriented boards, but I was surprised to discover such out-of-date content, too, in a book ostensibly dated 2001. USMLE Step takers and all other physicians, purchase and read only with great caution - I suggest using a different book.
Rating:
Summary: updated 5th edition
Review: the 5th edition of Swanson's Family Practice Review (published in 2005) has corrected out of date information mentioned in previous reviews (specifically, treatment of strep pneumococcal pneumonia and GERD; incorporates seventh report of Joint National Committee on High Blood Pressure). It also has a registration form for up to 79.5 CME credits (available from July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2007).
Rating: 
Summary: BEST BOOK FOR STEP 3!
Review: The best book for the Step 3. Believe me. I checked quite a few books before I decided to buy this one. Take some time to answer all he 2000+ questions, but after finishing them, you don't need to read much more. Every little detail encountered in the test is addressed in Swanson's, including ethics and so forth.
I got a pretty good score in the test!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Misleading 4th edition
Review: The book is great for step 2 and 3 etc.
However, do not buy it if you are looking for an updated 3rd edition, because it is essentially the same book with the same questions and text.
Rating:
Summary: Update
Review: This 4th edition of Swanson's Family Practice Review was published in 2000 and because of the rapid advances in 21st century medicine contains outdated information that may no longer be correct. It has been replaced by a 5th edition that was completed rewritten.
Rating:
Summary: Swanson's Family Practice Review
Review: this books Q are very similar to the real step 3. the answers to the questions are in a way that explains why each answer is right or wrong. this book teaches you how to handle the patient and how to think as a clinition. it teaches how to choose among dig, tx and etc.
Rating: 
Summary: False sense of security
Review: This is a good review book for current info in patient managenent. As far as Step III. It gives one a false sense of security for doing well, the questions are too easy. It does not help with the patient simulation part of the test. It is a nice review book if you are short on time, but don't expect any impressive scores.
Rating:
Summary: Great for the Physician Assistant Boards, as well!!
Review: This is a great book if you are studying for the Physician Assistant Boards. I read the case scenerios, answered the questions and then read the answers. Sometimes, if I didn't know the medical specialty that well, I would read the explanation first and learned all about the pathology first and later on that week, I would do the questions. I learned a whole lot that way. This may be the only book the you need to study for the PA boards. It covers every medical topic!
Rating:
Summary: Swanson's is excellent!
Review: This is an excellent review book for anyone in the family practice field. I'm currently using it to review for the family practice boards. It is very well written and concise with very detailed explanations of the answers. It covers all of the major areas that will be covered on the fp boards. In fact, I'm going to keep my copy and use it as a reference source when I start to practice. I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to brush up on the major topics of family practice.
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