Rating: 
Summary: Downward Spiral on Autopilot
Review: *Emergency Medicine, A Comprehensive Study Guide* has long been a well-regarded standard emergency text, useful in day-to-day practice as well as for board preparation. This new edition has advanced the enlightened 'evidence-based recommendations' for changes in practice patterns, however, the lack of editorial control has resulted in a book packed with conflicting information. Each chapter is written by a different consultant, and unfortunately not all of them are up on this concept... we therefore get a series of conflicting statements when there is overlap in topics, and there is no attempt to reconcile this variability. Admittedly, opinions in much of medicine do vary; but outright conflict within a few pages in a standard text without discussion does harm to credibility.Further loss of editorial control is also evident on a close read. It is apparent that a spell-checker was used for proof-reading (substitutions of the nature of "week" for "weak" abound) and in some areas clinical formulae have been mis-stated -- example: calculation of effective osmolarity, pg. 1341 (though correct elsewhere in the book). The index seems somewhat disorganized, with references to isolated appearance of a word (example: see *first* reference listing to "hyperglycemia"... certainly not the definitive source in the text). This problem is not isolated. The book has expanded by approximately 500 pages over the 4th edition, totalling more than 2000 pages. Its size makes it unwieldly to read or carry; it should have been separated into 2 volumes. Even with that expansion, much useful information is missing. Though descriptions of EKG abnormalities in advanced electrolyte disturbance are adequately described, it certainly would have been an informational asset to actually include a picture of such characteristic tracings. Dermatology is similarly poorly pictured -- there are only 8 pages of color illustrations in the text, with nearly 2 pages wasted on 1)technique of foreign body removal (not needed in color) 2)a color demonstration of SPECT data -- well outside the range of information needed for the E.M. specialist, and not definitive, besides. Even worse, the illustrations interspersed in the dermatology section are simply black and white copies of the color text -- providing only suboptimal repetition. Bottom line: the *Comprehensive Study Guide* has been, and remains, a valuable text for an overview of the practice of emergency medicine; but either keep your 4th edition, or wait for the 6th.
Rating:
Summary: Downward Spiral on Autopilot
Review: *Emergency Medicine, A Comprehensive Study Guide* has long been a well-regarded standard emergency text, useful in day-to-day practice as well as for board preparation. This new edition has advanced the enlightened 'evidence-based recommendations' for changes in practice patterns, however, the lack of editorial control has resulted in a book packed with conflicting information. Each chapter is written by a different consultant, and unfortunately not all of them are up on this concept... we therefore get a series of conflicting statements when there is overlap in topics, and there is no attempt to reconcile this variability. Admittedly, opinions in much of medicine do vary; but outright conflict within a few pages in a standard text without discussion does harm to credibility. Further loss of editorial control is also evident on a close read. It is apparent that a spell-checker was used for proof-reading (substitutions of the nature of "week" for "weak" abound) and in some areas clinical formulae have been mis-stated -- example: calculation of effective osmolarity, pg. 1341 (though correct elsewhere in the book). The index seems somewhat disorganized, with references to isolated appearance of a word (example: see *first* reference listing to "hyperglycemia"... certainly not the definitive source in the text). This problem is not isolated. The book has expanded by approximately 500 pages over the 4th edition, totalling more than 2000 pages. Its size makes it unwieldly to read or carry; it should have been separated into 2 volumes. Even with that expansion, much useful information is missing. Though descriptions of EKG abnormalities in advanced electrolyte disturbance are adequately described, it certainly would have been an informational asset to actually include a picture of such characteristic tracings. Dermatology is similarly poorly pictured -- there are only 8 pages of color illustrations in the text, with nearly 2 pages wasted on 1)technique of foreign body removal (not needed in color) 2)a color demonstration of SPECT data -- well outside the range of information needed for the E.M. specialist, and not definitive, besides. Even worse, the illustrations interspersed in the dermatology section are simply black and white copies of the color text -- providing only suboptimal repetition. Bottom line: the *Comprehensive Study Guide* has been, and remains, a valuable text for an overview of the practice of emergency medicine; but either keep your 4th edition, or wait for the 6th.
Rating: 
Summary: The Definitive Emergency Medicine Text
Review: As an Emergency medicine resident, the book is the centerpiece of my library. The new edition differs from the previous in the addition of two color text. Using two colors enables them to make the tables more readable. The text is longer than the previous edition. Each chapter is divided up into a short intro/description of normal, followed by etiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, treatment, then special considerations. The writing, as in the previous editions is concise and to the point. This text is priceless because it takes all the concepts and presents them in a clinically relevant way. This is very useful as a general review text, as well as a hands on while working text. Should be in all ED's as well as in all personal libraries of physicians who see patients in the emergency setting.
Rating:
Summary: The Definitive Emergency Medicine Text
Review: As an Emergency medicine resident, the book is the centerpiece of my library. The new edition differs from the previous in the addition of two color text. Using two colors enables them to make the tables more readable. The text is longer than the previous edition. Each chapter is divided up into a short intro/description of normal, followed by etiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, treatment, then special considerations. The writing, as in the previous editions is concise and to the point. This text is priceless because it takes all the concepts and presents them in a clinically relevant way. This is very useful as a general review text, as well as a hands on while working text. Should be in all ED's as well as in all personal libraries of physicians who see patients in the emergency setting.
Rating: 
Summary: I'm Afraid to Give it a Bad Review......
Review: Do you know the true meaning of the words "Study Guide?" Well, what that means is that you must be able to achieve a passing score on the American Board of Emergency Medicine's Certifying Exam by studying nothing more than this book. And I believe it, since I have passed it twice studying basically nothing more than this book. While it lacks the broad panache of the "other" two volume tome, the idea that you can pass the certifying exam by memorizing this huge book is, well, it's sexy.
Rating:
Summary: I'm Afraid to Give it a Bad Review......
Review: Do you know the true meaning of the words "Study Guide?" Well, what that means is that you must be able to achieve a passing score on the American Board of Emergency Medicine's Certifying Exam by studying nothing more than this book. And I believe it, since I have passed it twice studying basically nothing more than this book. While it lacks the broad panache of the "other" two volume tome, the idea that you can pass the certifying exam by memorizing this huge book is, well, it's sexy.
Rating:
Summary: This book gets better with every new edition!
Review: If you have the 4th edition, you must upgrade to this new edition. Gone are the poorly reproduced photographs in the last edition. Instead, there are many new tables, colour photos, and MANY new flowcharts. Every chapter is packed with new practical insights. For example, the asthma chapter has the actual American Thoracic Society guideline (not found in Harrison's). The abdominal pain chapter provides a new evidence-based approach to this difficult problem: it contains tables listing the likelihood ratio of each investigations for each diagnosis; and it questioned the importance WBC, bowel sound, abodminal X-ray, and (gasp!) rectal exam. The chapter on diarrhea discusses the origin of the myth that anti-motility agent and antibiotics are detrimental, but also provides new evidence for their safety in infectious diarrhea. The pneumonia chapter discusses the Fine's mortality risk scores for the decision of hospitilization (not seen in Harrison's either). The chapter in advanced resucitation includes a discussion of amiodarone and vasopressin in cardiac arrest. The unstable angina chapter contains the NHLBI risk classification. TIMI 14 and SPEED are discussed in the MI chapter. The list goes on and on. In short, this book is a truly comprehensive review AND update of this exciting specialty. Even the seasoned ER physician will learn something new in this book.
Rating:
Summary: Mandatory (This is a Review of the Companion Handbook)
Review: Owning this book is simply mandatory--unless, of course, you are certain than neither you nor any loved one will ever need to be admitted to an emergency room. While I am by no means a physician, this thick little paperback has allowed me to make an informed assessment of the treatment that family members have received, and to make it easier for doctors and nurses to explain things to me. Aimed (as you can see from the other reviews here for the massive study guide for which this book is a companion) totally for physicians, it is assumed that the reader is familiar with medical terminology. But it isn't that bad, really--acronyms are usually defined when they are first used in each section, and I have found that a run-of-the-mill collegiate dictionary suffices for most of the anatomic and diagnostic terms. A Physician's Desk Reference would be most helpful for acquainting oneself with the drugs, dosages and regimens referred to in the book, and it doesn't hurt to have someone in the medical field you can query about procedures and policies. Basically, I see no reason why such information needs to be confined to those in the profession, and believe everyone should be aware of the mechanics of trauma treatment. Also, I have simply found it to be fascinating reading (the incredibly succinct description of the stages of child/adolescent development--from the point of view of the assessing ED physician--says more in two pages than all the oceans of ink that have been spilled--in newspapers and magazines--on the topic of children in our society).
Rating:
Summary: This book is an excellent learning tool!
Review: This book is a great textbook of emergency medicine, and I've chosen it over others simply because it's comprehensive without the useless drivel. Each section includes the necessary anatomy and pathophysiological considerations for the respective disoders. The subset of conditions are mentioned with just enough facts to understand the morbidity to treat it. The pictures, diagrams, algorithmic flow-charts, and drug regimens are a nice compliment, however, most of your clinical experience is going to come from interships and residency, so to assume this book is all you'll need to get by in EM is crazy. I still think it's the best out there to read before putting your mind to work.
Rating:
Summary: This book is an excellent learning tool!
Review: This book is a great textbook of emergency medicine, and I've chosen it over others simply because it's comprehensive without the useless drivel. Each section includes the necessary anatomy and pathophysiological considerations for the respective disoders. The subset of conditions are mentioned with just enough facts to understand the morbidity to treat it. The pictures, diagrams, algorithmic flow-charts, and drug regimens are a nice compliment, however, most of your clinical experience is going to come from interships and residency, so to assume this book is all you'll need to get by in EM is crazy. I still think it's the best out there to read before putting your mind to work.
|
