Last updated: 23 April 2001
Looking for a book on men's health? click here to view books reviewed on the Men's Health Forum webisite
New additions::
Orthopaedic Knowledge Update , Sports Medicine 2
Orthopaedic Knowledge Update , Trauma 2
Please note that the views of the Review Editors are independent a nd written from a general practice perspec tive. Family Medicine has not received payment for the following reviews, although in most cases the Review Editors have been allowed to keep the products which they have reviewed. Please email Family Medicine with your comments and requests for further reviews at 'reviews@medpress.co.uk'.
Readers interesting in contributing to Family Medicine's reviews should contact the Editor at 'reviews@medpress.co.uk'.
24-Hour Primary Care
Accreditation in
Primary Care: Towards Clinical Governance
A colourful handbook of gastroenterology
A Guide to Effective
Care in Pregnancy & Childbirth (2nd Edition)
A - Z of medical writing
Atlas of Gynecologic Surgery
Best Evidence 2
Bailey
& Loves's short practice of surgery (22nd edition)
Breast
cancer: sharing the decision
Cardiology
Cerebral
palsy: caring and coping
Child surveillance
handbook (second edition)
Clinical ENT: an
illustrated textbook
Clinical evidence
Clinical
infectious diseases: a practical approach
Clinical
Negligence In General Practice
Clinical Orthopaedics
Cochrane
library
Conn's Current Therapy
2000
Contraception: your
questions answered
Core Curriculum in Primary
Care (Part 1, Third Edition):
Current Diagnosis &
Treatment in Orthopedics
Current Medical Diagnosis
and Treatment
Current Issues In
Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Current medical diagnosis
and treatment
Danforth's Obstetrics &
Gynaecology (Eighth Edition)
Diagnostic Ultrasound of
Fetal Anomalies: Principles & Techniques
Differential Diagnosis in
Ophthalmology
Diseases of the skin: a
color atlas and text
The Doctor's Internet
Handbook
Drug and Therapeutics
Bulletin + MeRec Bulletin
Dyspraxia - the hidden
handicap
Email to fax gateway
Emergency
Medicine (international student edition) A comprehensive study guide; 5th
Edition
Evidence-based gastroenterology and hepatology
Essential
Medical Physiology
Essential Otolaryngology
Head & Neck Surgery (Seventh Edition, 1998)
Essentials in Family
Medicine
Evidence-based practice in
primary care
Essentials of
complementary and alternative medicine
Fertility
problems: a simple guide
Fitzpatrick's Dermatology
in General Medicine 5th Edition
Gastroenterology and
hepatology
Gynaecology Illustrated
General
Ophthalmology (15th Edition, 1999)
Harrison's
Principles of Internal Medicine (14th Edition)
Hall
and Coleman's Disease of the Ear Nose and Throat
Health
Behaviour Change: A Guide for Practitioners
Herbal
Medicines - A Guide For Healthcare Professionals
Health
on the Internet
Hormone Replacement
Therapy - a guide for Primary Care
Information and IT for
Primary Care: everything you need to know but are afraid to ask
Information for Evidence-based Care
Internet
Medicine
Involving Patients and The
Public: How to do it better
Involving Patients and The
Public: How to do it better
Kelley's Textbook of
Internal Medicine
Lotus SmartSuite Millenium
Edition
Medical imaging
Medical Information on the
Internet 2nd Edition
Medical Information on the
Internet 2nd Edition
Medically Speaking-A
Dictionary of Quotations
MediClip colour anatomy 1
Menopause
and Hormone Replacement Therapy: Effective Patient Care
Men's Health in
Primary Care
The
Merck Manual (17th Edition, 1999
MS Office 97 Small Business Edition
Muscle diseases
National Association
of Non-Principals
Nelson textbook of pediatrics (16th edition)
Neurological
Emergencies
Neurology
for the non-neurologist
Non-prescription medicines
Obstetrician's Library
Orthopaedic Knowledge
Update , Sports Medicine 2
Orthopaedic Knowledge Update , Trauma 2
Oski's Pediatrics Principles
and Practice Third edition
Oxford
handbook of accident and emergency
Oxford Handbook of Clinical Specialities
Oxford mentor plus
Oxford mentor plus
Oxford Textbook of
Ophthalmology
Oxford Textbook of Sports Medicine (second
edition 1998)
The POPPi Guide: Practicalities of producing
patient information
Practical strategies in obstetrics and
gynaecology
Practical genetics for primary care
Principles of
Surgery (CD-ROM edition)
PubMed
Quick
reference atlas of dermatology
RCGP Handbook of Sexual
Health in Primary Care
Red Book
Red
Book
Review of Interal Medicine
Self-Assessment
Colour Review of Respiratory Medicine
Sexuality
and Disability, a guide for everyday practice
Skin
Disease in Clinical Practice (2nd Edition-English Edition published 1998)
Sony
vaio
Sports medicine handbook
Stedman's
medical dictionary
Stroke: Epidemiology,
evidence and clinical practice
Stroke in the surgery
Survival
skills for GPs
Symptom Sorter
Teaching
made easier: a manual for health professionals
Textbook
of Internal Medicine (Third Edition; Single Volume Edition)
Textbook of Family Medicine
The
electronic red book
The GP's Guide To Personal
Development Plans
Travel health for the
primary care team
Travel medicine and
migrant health
The Very Stuff of General
Practice
Using the Internet in
Healthcare
Whiplash Injuries: Current
Concepts in Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of the Cervical Whiplash
Syndrome
Xerox WorkCentre 450cp
http://www.doctors.net.uk
Format: Book
Authors: Chris Salisbury, Jeremy Dale and
Lesley Hallam
ISBN:1 85775 311 9
Publisher:
Radcliffe Medical Press
Orders:Tel: +44 (0) 01235 528820;
E-mail: orders@radcliffemed.com; website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
: £19.95
Reviewer: Dr Adrian Boonin, General Practitioner, Leeds and Senior
Clinical Lecturer, Leeds University Medical School
Month reviewed:
December 1999
Public demand for 24-hour access to primary health care services is
growing. At the same time general practitioners, who feel overstretched during
the day, are becoming increasingly reluctant to work unsociable hours. The
apparent conflict here forms the starting point for this book.
24-Hour Primary Care begins by analysing the usage of out-of-hours care
and the reasons behind the changes in demand. It also considers the change in
the readiness of general practitioners to undertake this service provision, and
looks at the conflicting role of general practitioners as both facilitator and
gatekeeper for out-of-hours care. There follows a rigorous analysis of the
different settings and arrangements for providing out-of-hours primary care,
from deputising services, through extended practice rotas, to nurse-based
telephone advice lines and the placing of general practitioners in Accident &
Emergency Departments. I particularly enjoyed the chapter which challenged the
way that out-of-hours services respond to individuals with particular needs,
such as those with a terminal illness, the homeless, and those with mental
health needs. These deficiencies symbolise for me the faults in the present
system and lead nicely on to the final part of the book, which looks at the
future of out-of-hours care. The book finishes with a suggestion for an ideal
way to conduct out-of-hours care, which emphasises integration of service
provision. Finally, in these days of clinical governance, there is even a
chapter set aside to look at quality measurement. This is a well-researched
book with a pragmatic approach to an area, which has a huge influence on the
overall provision of healthcare. It will appeal to all general practitioners, as
well as to any individual involved with the setting up and provision of
out-of-hours services. I feel that it would also provide useful material for
those involved in teaching primary care in a University undergraduate setting.
Go to top
Format: Book
Editors: Kieran Walshe, Nicola Walsh, Theo
Schofield and Clare Blakeway-Phillips
ISBN:1 85775 322 4
Publisher:
Radcliffe Medical Press
Orders:Tel: +44 (0) 01235 528820;
E-mail: orders@radcliffemed.com; website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
£18.95
Reviewer: Dr Adrian Boonin, General Practitioner,
Leeds and Senior Clinical Lecturer, Academic Unit of Primary Care, University of
Leeds
Month reviewed: July 2000
In the introduction to this book, Sir Donald Irvine, President of the
General Medical Council, points out that in general practice, both high quality
care and poorer standards of care can co-exist in the same town, in the same
street and even in the same practice. The introduction of clinical governance by
a government committed to improving the quality of care throughout the NHS,
means, in reality, that accreditation for primary care is only just around the
corner. This is the starting point for a book, which seeks to define
accreditation and show how its implementation in a well thought-out and
organised way will benefit both patients and practitioners, and satisfy the
politicians too.
There are chapters giving specific examples of primary care
accreditation in current usage and the reader is invited to compare and contrast
these systems. The examples used come both from the NHS and the independent
sector, and include the King's Fund Health Quality Service, the RCGP primary
healthcare team-based accreditation, as well as the long-established
accreditation system for training practices. The authors show the reader how to
critically analyse the criteria to be used in setting up an accreditation
program, and how to accurately evaluate the effectiveness of an accreditation
system.
This compact book is easy to read, and covers a quite complex topic in
a relatively straightforward way. It excels in using relevant examples of
current practice to make important points about the implementation and
evaluation of accreditation. I believe that this is a book, which should be read
by all general practitioners, but particularly by those who are actively
involved in primary care groups. Accreditation in primary care is coming, and
general practitioners need to be equipped to be able to manage it, both
effectively and efficiently. This book will greatly aid that process.
Go to top
Format: Book
Authors:Hodgson, Boulton, Cousins and Gupta
ISBN:Hardcover:
1-874545-54-5; Softcover: 1-874545-55-3
Publisher:
Manson
Orders:Available for direct purchase from Manson
Publishing Ltd, 73 Corringham Road London NW11 7DL; Tel: + 44 020 8905 5150;
Fax: + 44 020 8201 9233. Cheques to be made payable to: Marston Book Services
Price:
Hardcover £48.00; Softcover £29.95
Reviewer: Dr
Jeremy M Sager, GP, Leeds, UK
Month reviewed: May 1999
I was quite surprised to read this 208-page offering and then note
that on the back cover, GPs are not specifically mentioned as a suitable
readership. Which is a great pity because after spending a couple of nights
thumbing through A Colour Handbook of Gastroenterology, I would
certainly commend it to both the registrar and principal in general practice,
not least because of the fine colour photographs and X-ray plates but especially
in view of its succinct presentation. The book begins with a guide to proper
history taking and examination of a patient presenting with a
gastroenterological problem. It then works its way down from the mouth to the
colon taking in the other abdominal organs along the way, with each topic being
covered in a few pages under standard headings eg. aetiology, pathophysiology,
clinical history and so on. Useful tables are included in the Appendix (of the
book!) Easy to dip into and a pleasure to read - Manson have certainly come up
trumps with this handy volume which will be a useful addition to any practice
library. Strongly recommended.Go
to top
Format: Book
Editors: Murray Enkin, Marc J.N.C. Keirse,
Mary Renfrew and James Neilson
ISBN: 0-19-262326-5
Publisher:
Oxford University Press, 1995
Orders:01536 741727
Price:
£55 (hardback)
Reviewer: Miss S J Kaufmann, Specialist Registrar, Obstetrics and
Gynaecology, Yorkshire, UK
Month reviewed: May 1999
With more antenatal care being delivered in the community, it is
essential that all those involved in delivering this care are as up to date as
possible. This book is a guide to the larger two-volume edition and as such is
easily readable and understandable to all GPs and midwives. It gives a 'pocket'
guide to current evidence-based thinking in obstetrics, covering topics from
antenatal classes to perineal pain and discomfort. The chapters on more
specialist obstetrics are well written, with definitions of all specialist
terms. It presents the evidence for issues such as external cephalic version for
breech presentation at term and continuous electronic fetal monitoring. Each
chapter has a clear conclusion on the data presented in it. Topics of particular
interest are easy to find and the synopsis at the back of the book is an ideal
summary of those forms of care that are proven to be beneficial or of unknown
effectiveness. GPs and midwives would be advised to purchase and read this book.
It should be on the shelf in each primary care antenatal clinic as a reference
point for all those involved in the care of pregnant women.
Go to top
Format: Book
Authors:Donald R Osterard, Michael L Berman
and Bill Yee
ISBN: 0-7216-5307-3
Publisher:
W.B Saunders Company
Orders:Customer Services Dept Harcourt
Foots Cray High St Sidcup, Kent DA14 5HP. Tel: +44 (0) 0181 308 5710 (ask for
direct orders); Fax +44 (0) 0181 308 5702
Price:
£110.00
Reviewer: Miss S J Kaufmann, Specialist Registrar,
Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yorkshire, UK
Month reviewed: January
2001
This is a superbly written and illustrated atlas of gynaecology
surgery. Not only does it describe the operations that we perform it goes into
details of the fundamental principles of surgery such as choice of suture
material, pain relief, haemostasis and the use of drains. Its diagrams are
first rate, clearly displaying both the anatomy and each step of the operation.
It covers not only the traditional operations but also modern laparoscopic and
hysteroscopic surgery. Whilst these are not as detailed as specific textbooks,
especially with respect to the hysteroscopic surgery - this is as close to "operating
by numbers" as you can get!
Go to top
Format: Book
Author: Tim Albert
ISBN:
0-7279-1487-1
Publisher:
BMJ Books
Orders:BMA House, Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9JR
Tel: + 44 (0) 207 3836185, Fax: + 44 (0) 207 3836662
Price:
£14.95
Reviewer: Dr Jeremy Sager, GP, Leeds
Month reviewed:
May 1999
This compact but useful text is to medical journalists what JR Hartley
is to fly-fishers. For those who are starting to get to grips with medical
writing, your writing Guru is Tim Albert, ex. editor of such esteemed texts as
World Medicine and BMA News Review. As the title suggests, an A-Z format is used
to good effect, making information or the solution to a writing problem easy to
find. I enjoyed browsing through this book because Mr Albert is clearly a bit
of a wag and his humour is in evidence throughout the 145 pages. And I've
discovered it's permissible to start a sentence with "and" or "but"
so I'll not feel guilty about doing that again. From conference abstracts to
letters, this book has all the hints and tips to successful, articulate writing
that the budding medical journalist will find indispensable.
Go to top
Format: CD-ROM
Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
Subscriptions:Tel:
+44 (0) 171 383 6270
Price: £36 (BMA members); £57
(personal rate)
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:June
1998
This CR-Rom was tested under Windows 95 and the installations process was
simple and easy. The actual content is classy containing all the articles from
the American College of Physicians (ACP) journal club 1991-1997 and
evidence-based medicine from November 1995 through to the end of 1997. The main
contents page is self-explanatory and within minutes, any person with a basic
knowlege of computer software is up and running. The disc can be used either as
a reference source or just to dip into and pull out something that interests the
reader. This product represents excellent value for money for an interested GP.Go to top
Format: Book
Editors: Mann, Russell and Willimas
ISBN:
0-412-72410-3
Publisher: Arnold Publishers
Subscriptions:Tel:
Direct Services +44 (0) 1235 827721
Price: £37.50
Reviewer:
Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist with a special interest in
information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed: October 1998
This book is well known to generations of both undergraduates and qualified doctors. Now in its 22nd edition, it retains its unique style yet manages to be up-to-date and authoriatative. It is superbly illustrated and offers comprehensive coverage of virtually all surgical specialitites which GPs are likely to encounter in everyday practice. Unusually, for a textbook, the content is interesting, which encourages the doctor to dip in and read for pleaseure. It represents superb value for money and it should provide the average GP with more than enough information for their day to day work. If you need just one surgical text for reference, then this could easily satisfy your needs.Go to top
Format: Book (first published 1999)
Editors: Anna M
Maslin with Trevor J Powles
ISBN:0-19-262967-0
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Subscriptions:Tel: +44 (0) 1536 454534
Price:
£24.99
Reviewer: Rob Flint, GP Registrar, Leeds
Month
reviewed: February 2000
Modern breast cancer treatments allow considerable scope for patient preference even within the bounds of evidence based medicine. This book explores how patients can be more successfully incorporated into the decision-making process and demonstrates the positive effect this has on their progress. Areas covered include ethics, screening, genetics and treatment options. A wide variety of professionals contribute, including breast care nurses, radiologists, surgeons, oncologists and radiotherapists. It is, however, the personal accounts from patients at the end of every chapter that illuminate the subject and bring the discussion to life. This publication is essential reading for any clinician involved in the care of breast cancer patients. Go to top
Format: Book (first published 1999)
Editor in Chief:
Sergio Dalla Volta
ISBN:0-07-709518-9
Publisher:
McGraw Hill
Orders:Tel + 44 (0) 1628 502558; Fax + 44 (0)1628
502167; E-mail: sarah_killeen@mcgraw-hill.com
Price:
£39.99
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, GP, Leeds
Month reviewed:
July 2000
Many textbooks are aimed at undergraduate level whilst others are quite advanced and aimed squarely at the specialist. This book comes somewhere in between and for the non-cardiologist represents a valuable addition to the library. It provides a super reference source for common and not so common cardiological problems whilst at the same time, individual chapters can be read independently. As well as all the usual subjects which you would expect to find, there are some really interesting sections. For example there is excellent coverage of congenital cardiac disease. The last section of the book deals with interesting subjects like the aging heart and sports and the heart. If you just wanted one book on cardiology and you are a general physician or general practitioner, you should find this will amply satisfy your needs. Go to top
Format: Book
Editors:Muriel Goodman and Babette Katz
ISBN:
1 86814 329 5
Publisher:Witwatersrand University Press
Enquiries:Global
Book Marketing, 38 King St., London WC2E 8JT, UK
Price: £8.95
Reviewer:Dr
Jeremy M Sager, General Practitioner, Leeds, UK
Month reviewed:March
1999
This book has been written specifically with the parents of a child with cerebral palsy in mind. Using a wide variety of exercises and activities, the book shows how an affected child can be helped to gain head control, sit, stand and ultimately, hopefully, walk. It is simply, yet effectively illustrated and although only 82 pages long, will be an invaluable aid to parents and carers who are striving to help their child in any way they can. One particular useful feature is the problem-based index at the back of the book, which points the reader quickly towards solutions to the particular difficulties that their child might face. In the Editors' note at the front of the book, the authors state that their main aim has been to work with the caregiver or parent and show them how best to handle a CP child to improve movement and maximise function. In this, they have clearly been successful. Go to top
Format: Book
Authors:David Hall, Peter Hill and David
Elliman
ISBN: 1 870905 24 5
Publisher:Radcliffe Medical
Press
Orders:Tel: +44 (0) 01235 528820; E-mail:
orders@radcliffemed.com; website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
£19.95
Reviewer:Dr Jeremy M Sager, General Practitioner,
Leeds, UK
Month reviewed:August 1999
There is far more to this useful book than what under fives are expected to be able to do at various stages of infancy and childhood. The authors are to be congratulated on producing an eminently readable text which should be on the bookshelves of all GP practices. It contains an abundance of nutritional advice and answers to parents questions about diet. There is an excellent section on bottle feeding with explanation of the advantages and disadvantages of different milks. The topic of immunisation is thoroughly explored and every possible question that parents could ask is answered in detail. There are interesting chapters on the prevention of infectious disease and accidents. There is an excellent section on early detection of emotional and behavioural disorders with guidelines on basic management by the GP. Importantly, child abuse and protection are afforded detailed coverage, again with the emphasis being on common modes of presentation and management in a primary care setting. The individual child health surveillance examinations are covered in some 150 pages with practical guidance on when to refer to secondary care. It is the latter aspect of the book that will appeal to the jobbing family doctor. All in all, a very helpful book which should be within easy reach of every baby clinc. Go to top
Format: Book
Authors:Gerard M O'Donoghue, Grant J Bates
and Antony A Narula
ISBN: 0 19 262226 9
Publisher:Oxford
University Press
Orders:Tel: +44 (0) 1536 454534
Price: £19.95
Reviewer:Dr
Jeremy M Sager, General Practitioner, Leeds, UK
Month reviewed:March
1999
This is a concise yet comprehensive hardback book, which is aimed particularly at medical students and GPs, as well as casualty officers and indeed any doctor whose practice brings them into contact with ENT issues. It is split into three sections: the ear, the nose and sinuses and the larynx, head and neck, and is extensively illustrated with many good quality colour photographs. Important key points in each chapter have been helpfully highlighted in boxes. There are, of course, one or two statements at which a general practitioner may raise an eyebrow, for instance the suggestion that otitis media requires a 10 day course of antibiotics or the assertion that cotrimoxazole is useful for penicillin sensitive patients. However, this does not detract from what is otherwise a superb and highly readable textbook. One final point: my daughters objected to the rather grotesque photographs of nasal deformities; thus it should not be considered reading matter for the breakfast table! Go to top
Format: Book
ISBN: 0-7279 1364 6
Publisher:BMJ
Publishing Group
Orders:UK: BMJ Publishing Group, PO Box 299, London
WC1H 9TD. Tel: + 44 (0) 171 383 6270; Fax: 44 (0) 171 383 6402; email:
subscriptions@bmjgroup.com ISBN: US: BMJ Publishing Group, Box 590A,
Kennebunkport ME 04046, USA. Tel: 1800 2 FON BMJ; Fax 1800 2 GAX BMJ; email:
bjpaige@cybertours.com
Price: Individual: £45/$99; ACP-ASIM
member: $89; Institutional: £120/$192; Student: £35/$53
Reviewer:Harriett
Ainley, Editor, Family Medicine
Month reviewed:September 1999
Driven by clinical questions which arise in primary and hospital care-rather
than availability of research-Clinical Evidence reveals the research
evidence to support various management routes of the diseases covered. An
example of a question addressed is 'in people whose asthma is poorly controlled
by inhaled corticosteroids, what are the effects of adding long acting, inhaled
ß2 agonists?' The answer provided is 'RCTs have found that, in people with
uncontrolled asthma, adding regular doses of long acting, inhaled ß2
agonists to inhaled corticosteroids improves symptoms and lung function, and
reduces exacerbations. Regular use of long acting ß2 agonists has not been
linked to deterioration in asthma control'. In this way, the book compliments
the work of the Cochrane Collaboration which publishes systematic reviews of
controlled trials.
The first issue covers the following diseases:
infectious, endocrine, eye, respiratory, digestive system, skin,
musculoskeletal, gynaecological, urological, breast, child and cardiovascular.
Other areas include mental health, ENT, neurological disorders, wounds, sexual
health and child health. The publishers intend to update and expand the book
every six months, and an electronic version will be available in the year 2000.
Refreshingly user-friendly, and subject to rigorous editing and peer
review, Clinical Evidence includes a summary page at the start of each
section which outlines the key questions addressed, some key messages and a list
of the interventions covered, categorised according to whether they have been
found to be effective or not. As has come to be expected, the BMJ publishing
group have produced another jewel, this time a most resourceful reference book
which deserves shelf space in every hospital and general practice.
Go to top
Format: Book
Editor-in-chief: Richard Root
ISBN:0-19-508103-X
Publisher:Oxford
University Press
Orders:Tel: +44 (0) 1536 741727
Price:
£99.50
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, GP, Leeds
Month
reviewed:May 2000
This books lives up to its subtitle, it certainly adopts a practical approach. It is a book whose target audience are clinicians and within its 1000 or so pages, covers most aspects of infectious diseases, which will impact on day-to-day practice. It is a multi-authored book with primarily an American authorship though there is a fair smattering of contributors from other countries. Since infectious diseases know no boundaries within the many disciplines of medicine, there is a large potential audience for this book. Apart from of course infectious disease specialists, general physicians and even GPs will find this text useful, informative and helpful in their every day work. Practicing doctors from most specialties will benefit from at least some of the chapters. Most importantly, this book is actually a good read, relatively short chapters means it is easy to dip in and extract the information relatively quickly. This would make a great addition to a hospital library or an infectious disease unit and anyone who has to deal with any infectious diseases on a day-to-day basis. Though the price of the book may put some people off, for others this book will be an essential addition to their personal library. Go to top
Format: Book
Editor:Michael Drury
ISBN: 1
85775 367 4
Publisher:Radcliffe Medical Press
Orders:Tel:
+44 (0) 01235 528820; E-mail: orders@radcliffemed.com; website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
£22.50
Reviewer: Dr Adrian Boonin, General Practitioner,
Leeds and Senior Clinical Lecturer, Academic Unit of Primary Care, University of
Leeds
Month reviewed:February 2001
The use of the term 'clinical negligence' in medical circles usually conjures up one of two images. Doctors will think either of the case reports in their defence organisation's regular bulletin or of letters from solicitors - both of which lead to sleepless nights! How refreshing therefore to read a book on this subject, which seeks not to scare doctors out of their wits, but to give, what is actually, a behind-the-scenes look at this often distressing area of clinical practice. The contributors come from both medical and legal backgrounds, and this excellent book covers all areas of this topic, from risk management in practice, through the NHS complaints system and the role of defence organisations, to court appearances and the responsibilities of medical expert. This book is also interspersed with a huge number of case summaries, which are used to inform, rather than frighten, the reader. As a doctor with a passing fascination for legal matters, I particularly enjoyed the chapter on the 'law of negligence'. This succeeds in its attempt to unravel the different strands of legal argument that amount to a definition of negligence, and clearly explains how the current legal situation arises from previous case law. The modern NHS is succeeding in its attempts to de-mysticise medicine and hospitals by giving patients information abut illness and services, in order to make them seem less threatening. This book does the same for doctors and their involvement with the legal services.and does it very well. Go to top
Format: Book
Editor:Edward Craig
ISBN:0-683-02180-X
Publisher:Lippincott
Williams and Wilkins
Orders:Plymbridge Distributors Ltd, Estover, Plymouth PL6 7PY; Tel:
+44 (0) 1752 202301; Fax +44 (0) 1752 202331; e-mail: orders@plymbridge.com
Price:
£105
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, GP, Leeds
Month
reviewed:September 2000
This is a scholarly general review of the speciality of orthopaedics and the target audience is ideally orthopaedic surgeons and their trainees. It is best to consider it as a general all-round textbook and covers the vast majority of the speciality within its 1100 pages. It will also be of interest to a rheumatologist or a general practitioner who has a specific interest in orthopaedic problems. This could be a clinical assistant or an interested general practitioner who wants to read around a subject or a patient's problem. This is a multi-author book and most contributors come from North America. Each chapter can be read in its own right and has plenty of references and illustrations. The book itself comes with a sturdy hardback cover and spine and the pages are printed on glossy paper. So the book itself is well produced and this in part may explain the cost of the book. All in all, it is super book for the clinician whose main workload evolves around orthopaedics and rheumatology Go to top
Format: CD-ROM
ISBN: 1 901868 05 2
Enquiries:Update
Software on (01865) 513902
Annual subscription:
£120 plus VAT
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical
columnist with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month
reviewed: January/February 1999
: The Cochrane library is a collection of different databases, which contains reliable information from the medical literature. For many doctors, this CD is one of their main reference sources and on using it, I can understand why. The software is easy to install and its most important function, the search capacity is powerful and not too difficult to master. It is not cheap but the quality of information is superb and has the potential to make a practical impact on everyday clinical work. A subscription includes four CDs, one being released every quarter containing the latest editions of the database. Doctors who are keen to base their clinical work on the best available medical evidence will want a subscription.Go to top
Format: Book
Editors:Robert Rakel, W.B Saunders
ISBN:
0-7216-7225-6
Publisher: Harcourt, Foots Cray High St, Sidcup, Kent DA14 5HP
Subscriptions:Tel: +44 (0) 0181 308 5710 (ask for direct orders);
Fax +44 (0) 0181 308 5702
Price:
£39.95
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
September 2000
Yet again we review this evergreen book which makes an appearance every year. Undoubtedly it is one of the medical classics; this current version is now the 52nd edition, a figure that is a monument to its own success. As always, this book focuses on therapeutics and the subject headings it covers are broadly similar to the previous edition. However the similarity ends here, according to the preface 91% of the authors are new whilst the remainder have freshened up their contributions. With just over 1200 pages, this is an excellent reference text. Though it is fundamentally an American sourced book, it is pleasing to see a contribution from the rest of the world. The preface states that 30 chapters have been written by non-American authors. All in all this represents excellent value for money and though it is not necessary to buy the book every year, many fans of this series will buy this again and again. After all, it is modestly priced and represents good value for money. Go to top
Format: Book
Published: 1999
Author: John
Guillebaud
ISBN:0-4430-6153-x
Publisher: Churchill
Livingstone
Orders:Customer Services Dept, Harcourt Foots, Cray High
St Sidcup, Kent DA14 5HP Tel: 0181 308 5710; Fax: 0181 308 5702; e-mail:
cservice@harcourtbrace.com
Price:
£21.95
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
April 2000
This is the latest edition in what is already an excellent and widely consulted book. It attains this status not because of its authority (which it has) but because of the easy flowing, way it is written. It is written in a question and answer format with questions based on what real prescribers of contraception are likely to ask. So the title is no empty promise, the book delivers on exactly what it says it will. For the many users out there who have referred to previous editions, wanting to know what changes have been made, then they will be pleased to know that the book has been significantly updated to cover all the current issues. The layout of the text has acquired an orange tone but it is the content which will attract old and new readers. Put quite simply, it is one of the core books for many family planning doctors, GPs and gynaecologists.Go to top
Format: Disc 8 (of 9) - Pulmonary Medicine & Asthma Format:
CD-ROM (Windows or Mackintosh)
ISBN:1-57276-954-8
Publisher:
Healthstream (formerly SilverPlatter Education)
Orders:E mail: keith.buchanan@healthstream.com; tel: 615-301-3205
Fax: 801-749-4096; or access website http://www.healthstream.com
Price:
Single users: $49 per disc or $349 for the full series of nine Discs (plus
$50 for international orders). Multiple users: $99 per disc or $699 for the full
series of nine discs
Reviewer: Dr Adrian Boonin, General
Practitioner, Leeds and Senior Clinical Lecturer, Academic Unit of Primary Care,
University of Leeds
Month reviewed: September 2000
This comes as one CD, which loads quickly and easily. The information is
presented in lecture format, with 'slides' and diagrams, and covers four
separate topics: Community acquired pneumonia, new asthma therapies,
interpretation of the tuberculin test & TB prophylaxis, and obstructive
sleep apnoea. There is an excellent navigation facility, which allows the user
to find their place anywhere within the four presentations, and a marker feature
allowing the user to resume a lecture following a break. Other features enable
the user to see a transcript of the lecture, and also allow the user to print
out individual slides and diagrams, as well as the transcript itself. The
carousel feature allows the user to arrange the slides, and different parts of
the lectures, in an order to suit the individual, which can then be stored for
use later. The help feature is readily accessible, extremely comprehensive and
easy to use.
The medical content of the lectures is of high quality, although
there are some differences between UK medicine, and that practised in the USA,
which may make these lectures slightly less useful than they might otherwise
have been. For example, some of the drug names are unfamiliar and it was unclear
to me whether these were actually different drugs, not available in the UK, or
just different generic names for drugs already used in Britain. In addition some
of the medical abbreviations used by the lecturers may also be unfamiliar to
British clinicians. However, as stated, the teaching material is of a high
standard and extremely up-to-date, and the presentation of the teaching will
appeal particularly to those practitioners who prefer a lecture-style format for
their learning.
Finally there is CME quiz based on each of the
lectures, which, although aimed at accreditation for American clinicians, can be
used to check one's knowledge, based upon the lecture content. Unfortunately,
the format of the quiz, intended for actual CME accreditation, only allows one
to view the correct answers once the quiz has been completed. The other discs
in this series cover gastroenterology, psychiatry, pain & risk management,
laboratory tests & imaging, prevention, office surgery and urology,
metabolic diseases and otolaryngology. In summary, the Core Curriculum in
Primary Care provides a comprehensive look at current advances in primary
care, which is easily accessible to all clinicians at their desktop, though it
must be said that American clinicians may find it a little more useful than
their British counterparts. .Go
to top
Format:Book
Editor:Harry B. Skinner
ISBN:0-8385-0363-2
Publisher:
Lange Medical Books/McGraw Hill Medical Publishing Division
Orders:Tel
+ 44 (0) 1628 502558; Fax + 44 (0)1628 502167; E-mail:
sarah_killeen@mcgraw-hill.com; website: www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk
Price:
£35.99
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist with a special
interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed: January
2001
Orthopaedics can be a discipline where knowledge can be lacking if you don't regularly have to deal with patients who have orthopaedic problems. Yet for the generalist or even non-orthopaedic specialist, it is important to have some up to date knowledge about this branch of medicine. So this book which has just been published, tries to fill that vacuum. In fact, it achieves it's aim quite nicely by tackling its subject matter in a systematic manner. Despite this being a multi-author book (all American), it is uniformly readable. There is a good smattering of illustrations (all black and white) and I am delighted to see that a chapter is devoted to paediatric orthopaedic problems. In just under 700 pages, the reader will find a helpful, readable general reference source that will be ideal for the primary care physician or non orthopaedic specialist who needs to have some working orthopaedic knowledge. Also great credit goes to most of the contributors who have provided an e-mail address, hopefully this will become the trend for other authors in years to come. Finally this book represents good value for money and will easily prove to be a welcome addition to either a personal or departmental library. . Go to top
Format: CD-ROM
Editors: McPhee, Gonzales and Tierney
ISBN:
0-8385-1480-4
Publisher: Appleton and Lange New Media
Subscriptions:Tel:
+44 (0) 1442 881891
Price:
£67
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
December 1998
This CD-ROM contains the complete contents of the 1998 version ofCurrent medical diagnosis and treatmentand the Pocket guide to commonly prescribed drugs. Also included are selections of the pocket guide to diagnostic tests. In addition, there are Medline abstracts from 27 comonly used medical journals from 1993-1997 and various multi-media goodies such as pictures, video, sounds and web links. More importantly, these various elements are seamlessly woven together, to form one superb integrated reference source which is extremely useful to a general physician or GP. Most of the content is American based, though still highly relevant to British practice. This is an excellent multi-media reference package combined with an easy-to-use search engine. Also impressive is the price, this package represents excellent value for money.Go to top
Format: Book
Year of publication: 2001
Editors:
Tierney L, McPhee S, Papadakis M
ISBN: 0-07-116332-8
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill medical publishing division www.mcgraw-hill.co.uk
Orders:louise_angelou@mcgraw-hill.com
or tel: +44 (0) 1628 502558; fax: +44 (0) 1628 502167
Price:
£35.99
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:February
2001
There is no doubt that this is a superb textbook which covers general medicine and therapeutics. Not surprisingly it is large (just coming in under 1800 pages) but the material it contains is accessible, fresh and very readable. It seems to be comprehensive in its coverage and is updated every year. That does not mean that you have to buy this book every year, because it will act as a stand alone reference text for much longer than one year. Despite its American roots, this book will be very relevant to a UK audience that should span both primary and secondary care. General books like this will always be popular as they can act as an extremely useful reference source. As a bonus, the book has spawned a web site www.current-med.com which describes some of the on-line references mentioned in the book. All in all, a very good, all round general medicine practical reference text. Go to top
Format:Book
Editors:S. Arulkumaran and Soon-Chye Ng
ISBN:
0-19-588246-6
Publisher: Oxford University Press 1996
Orders:Tel
01536 454534
Price:
£24.50
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
April 1999
This book was published in honour of a distinguished obstetrician and gynaecologist in Singapore. As a result, many eminent obstetricians and gynaecologists from all over the world have contributed to this volume. It is not a textbook but a review of many topics related to the discipline. A lot of the topics are quite high powered and above the level expected of the average GP. Even so, for the interested reader, this 352 page book, gives a good overview of the subject areas covered. Ideally, this is aimed at a specialist but an interested GP wanting a more detailed account of some of the science behind some of the issues in obstetrics and gynaecology would find this a good read. Go to top
Format:Book
Last published:March 1999
Editors:Scott,
Di Saia, Hammond and Spellacy
ISBN: 0-7817-1206-8
Publisher:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Orders:Plymbridge
Distributors Ltd, Estover, Plymouth PL6 7PY; Tel: +44 (0) 1752 202301; Fax +44
(0) 1752 202331; e-mail: orders@plymbridge.com
Price:
£24.50
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
December 1999
Sometimes American textbooks do not always find a niche in this country but this book certainly does. It is a good all round textbook of both obstetrics and gynaecology. It is pitched at slightly above the level that most general practitioners would need but it is certainly not beyond them. Equally it is a good reference source for specialists in obstetrics and gynaecology both in the UK and in other countries. The book impresses from the first chapter which is entitled 'evidence based obstetrics and gynaecology' and covers the subject matter in a systematic approach. There are several good chapters and I particularly found the chapter on paediatric and adolescent gynaecology very helpful and informative. Overall this book is readable, authoritative and is useful for a primary care or specialist setting. The price is at the upper end of what many practitioners would be prepared to pay but if they needed just one text to cover obstetrics and gynaecology then this would easily satisfy their needs. Go to top
Format:CD-ROM (Windows and Macintosh)
ISBN:
1-57276-043-5
Publisher: SilverPlatter Education, Inc.
(http://php.silverplatter.com)
Orders:E-mail them to
kellib@silverplatter.com, Fax to (The United States) 617-244-5979, Call (The
United States) 617-244-0284 ext. 415 Website
http://php.silverplatter.com/products
Price:
$175 individual users / $495 institutional users
Reviewer: Miss S J Kaufmann, Specialist Registrar, Obstetrics and
Gynaecology, Yorkshire, UK
Month reviewed: July 1999
This comes on two CDs and installs quickly and easily. The only gripe with
installation is that it is not customisable ie. it automatically installs on the
c drive to the default directory. It contains 120 ultrasound videos and 600
images. All are of the highest quality and the videos run smoothly, even on an
old P120 with 16MB RAM. The first CD contains the systems tutorials. Finding
specific topics is simple, either by starting with the relevant chapter or by
using the comprehensive search facility. It gives an excellent overview of the
incidence of major abnormalities and the incidence of their detection. Equally
as important, it lists those abnormalities that cannot be detected. It also
lists the guidelines for antepartum obstetric ultrasound examinations for all
three trimesters of pregnancy and for the equipment and documentation that
should be used for these examinations.
Whilst these are obviously for
the American medical profession, they are not too dissimilar from the UK
guidelines and are thus still relevant. Useful tools are the transcript feature
that allows you to print the text of the narration and the marker feature that
allows you to mark images and text. Mini courses can be tailor-made with the
carousel player allowing the individual to group together specific topics. These
can be saved and used at a later date. The second CD contains case studies and
an anomaly recognition quiz. There are 150 anomalies in the quiz and these can
be worked through in random or selected by topic after studying specific
systems.
This is not intended to be an encyclopedia of knowledge about all
known fetal abnormalities but a database of pictures and videos enabling the
user to identify the normal and the abnormal fetal structures. It does this well
with clear diagrams to instruct in the correct way to visualise each structure.
Whilst this is no substitute for practice scanning, I particularly liked the
practice sessions where the interactive teaching is used to its full potential
with the user measuring various fetal parameters. It is a highly polished
programme, designed to make full use of the modern teaching media available. The
quality of the diagram, pictures and videos are first rate. I am sure that it
fulfills its aims of "making learning without a patient possible, so that
learning with a patient is accelerated".
Go to top
Format:Book
Author: Stephen A Vernon
ISBN:
0-7817-1206-8
Publisher: Manson Publishing
Orders: Can
be purchased from Manson Publishing Ltd,. 73 Corringham Road, London NW11 7DL;
Tel: 020 8905 5150; Fax: 020 8201 9233. Cheques to be made payable to: Marston
Book Services; Postage & Packing: Customers in the UK please add £2.50
for the first book, £1.00 per book thereafter; customers in Eire and
Continental Europe add £3.50 for each book ordered; customers outside
Europe add £5.00 for each book ordered
Price:
£19.95
Reviewer: Dr Jeremy M Sager, GP, Leeds
Month
reviewed: December 1999
This book is written by a consultant ophthalmologist with an obvious love of teaching and is aimed at all staff in eye clinics as well as medical students. Mr Vernon clearly embraces the philosophy that 'a picture is worth a thousand words' because the book is brimming with copious good quality colour photographs. One particular facet of the book that will appeal to undergraduates is the division of conditions into COMMON or RARE which makes the book easy to dip into and navigate according to knowledge of the subject. Important strategy points are highlighted and boxed. It should be noted that the book is only concerned with diagnosis - those who wish details of specific treatments will need to look elsewhere. Chapter 8 is of special interest to the GP who is often faced with relatively normal looking eyes but a symptomatic patient who is complaining of dryness, soreness or watering etc. All in all, a very useful book which should be within arm's reach in the consulting room. Go to top
Format:Book (first published March 2000)
Authors: Gary
White and Neil Cox
ISBN: 0-7234-3155-8
Publisher: Mosby
Orders:
Customer Services Dept, Harcourt Foots Cray High St Sidcup, Kent DA14 5HP;
Tel: +44 (0) 208 308 5710 (ask for direct orders); Fax +44 (0) 208 308 5702
Price:
£130
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, GP, Leeds
Month reviewed:May
2000
Without hesitation this has to be the finest dermatology book I have ever set eyes on. It is truly outstanding, scoring highly in the number and quality of pictures with an excellently written text. This doubles both as a superb atlas and a detailed reference source. The presentation of the book is also excellent, printed on shiny paper, giving the book a luxurious feel about it. It is also tall and impressive looking, the paper being slightly bigger than A4 and will certainly need a tall bookshelf to sit on. Although it is only just over 500 pages, it covers the topics admirably and for most non-dermatologists this could easily suffice as the only textbook they need on the subject. The text is just as clear and easy to understand as the pictures and is a very practically orientated book. After gushing about its positive points-and there are many, there are a couple of minor gripes. This is an Anglo-American production -Neil Cox is a consultant dermatologist in Carlisle but if the book is sold in the UK, do we have to have an American spelling in the sub title? On a more important note the book is without doubt, pricey and maybe beyond the pockets of many people who would undoubtedly be stimulated by it. However, I suspect that the majority of purchasers are not going to be disappointed by it. Overall, a truly outstanding book. Go to top
Format: Book
Editors:Robert Kiley
ISBN:
1-85315-370-2
Publisher: The Royal Society of Medicine Press Ltd
Orders:click here
Website:http://www.roysocmed.ac.uk/handbook.htm
Price:
£6.99
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
January 1999
This book is a collection of articles which first appeared in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine. They have been updated and there is also a web site (see above), which contains all the Internet addresses within the book. Unlike many Internet manuals this book is slim, only 75 pages. However, it contains a wealth of knowledge and expertise which makes it an indispensable guide for the doctor wanting to surf. Both experts and novices will find this book useful and it is written in a clear and easy to understand manner. There is also a refreshing lack of jargon and this book deserves to do well. Go to top
Format: CD-ROM
Publisher: Consumers Association
Subscriptions:Tel:
+44 (0) 645 830 082
Price: £65
Reviewer: Dr Harry
Brown, a GP and medical columnist with a special interest in information
technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:July/August 1998
The quality of the material on this CD-ROM certainly ranks amongst some of
the finest sources of therapeutic information in the UK. This CD-ROM contains
electronic versions of the BNF (Number 35), the Drug and
Therapeutics Bulletin from January 1993 to March 1998 and the MeRec
newsletter from January 1994 to December 1997. The technicalitites of using
this CD-ROM are easy, both the installation and the day-to-day use. The huge
advantage of having these publications available electronically is the ability
to search their contents rapidly for specific information, though thaving the
paper version of the BNF next to the prescription pad (or printer) still
has distinct advantages. If you are an avid reader of the two therapeutic
newsletters and would like to be able to use them as a reference source then
this is the product for you. The Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin is also
available as a solo product for £30.Go to top
Format:Book
Authors:Dr Amanda Kirby
ISBN: 0-285-63512-3
Publisher:
Souvenir Press Ltd
Price:
£12.99
Reviewer: Dr Bashir Qureshi. GP, London
Month
reviewed:April 2000
Dyspraxia is a condition which causes varying degrees of co-ordination
difficulties in an outwardly normal looking child. It is a truly hidden handicap
which can lead to severe educational and social problems for the child. Other
pupils may become inadvertantly cruel in making the child a social outcast and
their bullying can seriously damage the victims self-esteem. There has been a
need for a book with relevant information, for parents, child carers, teachers,
general practitioner, nurses and play leaders so as to understand the condition.
Dr Amanda Kirby, who is a practising GP and the mother of a son with dyspraxia,
has filled the gap. The author has written from long experience of the questions
parents ask and of strategies that help the child to overcome his physical and
emotional problems. The information about causes, symptoms, signs and diagnosis,
differential diagnosis and management of Dyspraxia is concisely given in this
authentic and readable book. The text is particularly useful for general
practitioners, who see more children each day than paediatricians, in their
surgeries/clinics, informing them how to distinguish dyspraxia from other
conditions such as autism, Asperger's syndrome, semantic pragmatic disorder,
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia and dyscalculia. A correct
diagnosis is the key to appropriate management.Go to top
Format: CD-ROM
Publisher: Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins
ISBN: 0-397-58401-6
Orders:Plymbridge
Distributors Ltd, Estover, Plymouth PL6 7PY; Tel: +44 (0) 1752 202301; Fax +44
(0) 1752 202331; e-mail: orders@plymbridge.com
Price: £34.95
Reviewer:
Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist with a special interest in
information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:July1998
For most practising clinicians, basic physiology remains a distant and dim memory, yet this is not an ideal state of affairs. Physiology is a fundamental science that directly impacts on daily workload. Clinicians deal with disordered physiology as a matter of routine. However, most doctor's knowledge is to say the least, sketchy. So this book is an excellent text both for reference purposes and just to dip in and refresh the memory of the user. For a textbook, it is actually quite readable and though it may go into too much detail for most doctors, it will almost certainly cover their area of interest. Helpfully, there are numerous boxes throughout the book which correlate with clinical issues. It makes a good undergraduate text but will certainly be of interest to the average doctor who almost certainly have gaps in their knowledge of the basic physiological processes that are going on in the human body Go to top
Format:Book
Authors:Wayne B. Jonas, MD Jeffrey S. Levin
ISBN:
0-683-30674-X
Publisher:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Orders: Plymbridge
Distributors Ltd, Estover, Plymouth PL6 7PY; Tel: +44 (0) 1752 202301; Fax +44
(0) 1752 202331; e-mail: orders@plymbridge.com
Price:
£25.00
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, GP, Leeds
Month
reviewed: April 2000
Virtually all health professionals at some time in their careers have had to deal with patients who used complementary therapies. Often the health professional will know little or nothing about the treatments used but yet express or convey the feeling that the treatment will have minimal if any impact. Admittedly this is a sweeping generalisation but that attitude is changing and mainstream medicine is beginning to concede the undoubted benefits of complementary and alterative medicine. One acknowledgement of this trend is the publication of this book. According to the foreword of the book, this is the first major and extensive textbook aimed at doctors, which covers the complementary field. The book is superb and is a scholarly presentation of the facts. It is highly readable and has a good range of contributors though many of them come from the United States. Even so, there are two contributors from the United Kingdom. Following the trend of other medical books, there is a chapter on evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine. This is a super book, which deserves a wide readership, and at £25, it represents great value for money.
Format:Book
Authors:Philip D Sloane, Lisa M Slatt, Peter
Curtis and Mark H Ebell
ISBN: 0 683 30147 0
Publisher:
Williams and Wilkins
Orders: Plymbridge Distributors Ltd,
Estover, Plymouth PL6 7PY; Tel: +44 (0) 1752 202301; Fax +44 (0) 1752 202331
Price:
£22.00
Reviewer:Dr Jeremy M Sager, GP, Leeds
Month
reviewed: September 1999
Every once in a while, it is interesting to see what our colleagues from across the pond are up to in the world of family medicin . It is fascinating to examine the differences in practice between GPs in the USA and here in the UK and I can't immediately bring to mind a UK text that covers general practice in such detail. Each chapter is written by family practitioners, is heavily referenced and supplemented by questions and case studies. Management decisions for a particular problem are given a level of evidence for clinical effectiveness. For instance, in the management of acute low back pain, spinal manipulation gets an A rating which means that there is strong evidence for its efficacy. Physiotherapy, suprisingly, only manages a C rating - i.e. it is of unproven benefit and significant cost!
Chapter 11, which is devoted to promoting health for women at the menopause, is worthy of special mention with the physiological changes being particularly well explained. Were you aware for instance, that after the menopause, although the oestradiol level falls, the level of oestrone, which is primarily metabolised in fat cells, increases. Hence, obese women have fewer menopause symptoms. The management of sore throat as detailed in Chapter 40, is particularly interesting and relies on a clinical prediction rule to gauge the likelihood of the patient having a strep. throat. Patients with an intermediate probability are evaluated using a rapid antigen test and receive antibiotics only if this is positive. If this was adopted in the UK, perhaps we could reduce wasteful antibiotic prescribing for viral pharyngitis, although the cost of the test might be a barrier to saving money! With the possible exceptions of different brand names for drugs and the use of mg per cent instead of mmol/l, this is a highly readable and enjoyable book and one which this reviewer had his nose in every night for a fortnight, much to the annoyance of his other half. Go to top
Format: Website
Address: http://www.tpc.int/tpc_home.html
Reviewer:
Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist with a special interest in
information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed: January/February 1999
The Internet has many services on offer but a real gem can be found at the following address: http://www.tpc.int/tpc_home.html. This site lets you send a fax from your web browser or e-mail software, and even better, the recipient does not need to have an Internet account, just a fax facility. Likewise, the sender does not need an e-mail set up, just access to the web. This facility is provided free of charge and there is no obvious catch. Coverage within the UK is comprehensive, although not all places throughout the world are covered by this service.Go to top
Format:Book
Authors:Tintinalli J; Kelen G; Stapczynski
J
ISBN:0-07-116800-1
Publisher:
McGraw Hill
Orders:Contact Sarah Killeen, Special Sales
Executive for Healthcare on: tel: +44 (0) 1628 502558; fax: +44 (0) 1628 502167;
email: sarah_killeen@mcgraw-hill.com
Price:
£78.99
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
July 2000
The sub-title "a comprehensive study guide" is modestly under-stated, this is a huge tome of a textbook which comes in at just over 2000 pages. It is heavy and will certainly take up a lot of space in the bookshelf. By now you will have correctly guessed that this book attempts to cover the whole field of emergency. The subject matter of emergency medicine is vast and requires knowledge of the whole of medicine. This reference source makes an excellent attempt at trying to be a practical and informative single reference source and is packed with details and data. There are some good illustrations but the quality of the text is its winning feature. The breadth of coverage is superb and the quality of information is excellent. Though this book is a North American collaboration, there is undoubtedly a role for this book in the United Kingdom. In fact a copy of this book would be a welcome addition to every accident and emergency unit in this country. As a reference source, few individual books will be able to match it and at this price represents good value for money. Go to top
Format:Book
Editor:K.J. Lee
ISBN:0-8385-2270-X
Publisher:
Appleton & Lange
Orders:Available from your local medical
books supplier or alternatively contact IBD Customer Services on Tel: +44 (0)
1442 881900 or Fax: 01442 257115.
Price:
£51.00
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
April 1999
This is a detailed postgraduate ENT text, which is aimed primarily at an American audience. Even so, this does not mean that there is no market in this country for such a book. Ear nose and throat surgeons, particularly those in training, will find this a useful reference source. Primary care physicians wanting a bit more information about a particular topic may also find this a helpful companion. Even though this contains more detail than is needed, GPs wanting to read around a subject will find it very good for this purpose. It is a big book, over 1200 pages, but it is eminently readable and the highlights and pearls section at the end is particularly good. Perhaps other textbooks should adopt this kind of practical approach. Go to top
Format:Book
Editors:McDonald J; Burroughs A; Feagan B
ISBN:0-7279-1182-1
Publisher:
BMJ Books
Orders: Tel: +44 (0) 171 383 6244; email:
orders@bmjbookshop.com
Price:
£85.00
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
April 2000
This is a superb reference book aimed at the specialist who wants to practice exactly what the title of this book suggests. I use the word reference book because this is not a textbook. A textbook will examine a topic in the standard way, often aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical features etc of any given condition. Of course there will always be a need for that but this book takes a different approach. It takes the best of the medical literature with a preference for the randomised controlled trial or a meta-analysis and applies the results to clinical problems. Any evidence introduced is ranked according to its importance and indicated so within the text. There is strong emphasis on treatments and management of a condition or situation and needless to say there are plenty of references. However, the strong point about this book is its readability, the chapters are often relatively short and easily understandable; the book itself has only 557 pages. This means that the reader can easily dip into a specific chapter and read it relatively quickly. More importantly, information gleaned here means that best practice can be introduced into everyday work with relative ease. Undoubtedly this book is aimed at the specialist who wants to know how to apply the cream of research into their clinical practice. I am sure we will see more of this type of book, covering all the major specialities. Go to top
Format:Book
Editor:Chris Silgay and Andrew Haines
ISBN:0-7279-1210-0
Publisher:
BMJ Books
Orders: Tel: +44 (0) 171 383 6244; email:
orders@bmjbookshop.com
Price:
£25
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
August 1999
The words "evidence base" have become the buzzwords of the last few years and undoubtedly there is a great demand for a book such as this. The phrase evidence-based medicine is the concept that we have all heard of but most of us are not too sure of the basics. Well, this book prefers the expression evidence-based practice. This multi-authored book does well in reviewing the topic with obvious reference to primary care. It is not the easiest subjects to tackle and some of the sections are not an easy read. Even so, this is an excellent book which does try to spell out what is going on in this field. Each chapter can be read independently and so some parts of the book may have a higher chance of being read than other sections. However, there is something of interest for everyone here and the book is fairly priced.Go to top
Format:Book
Author:Ruth Chambers
ISBN:1
85775 334 8
Publisher:
Radcliffe Medical Press
Orders: Tel: +44 (0) 01235 528820;
E-mail: orders@radcliffemed.com; website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
£17.95
Reviewer:Dr Jeremy M Sager, GP, Leeds
Month
reviewed: July 1999
Radcliffe have done it again, with this straightforward yet comprehensive book aimed at GPs, patients and other primary care team members involved in the care and treatment of infertile couples. It tackles all the issues involved, despite being only 111 pages long and could quite easily be read in one day or two. It is divided into eight chapters; there are two appendices with useful addresses, telephone numbers and publications, a glossary and an index. All the chapters are heavily referenced. Of particular interest to the GP are the chapters concerned with initial management and fertility treatments. Particularly pertinent is the recent (1998) advice from the RCOG, that the only investigations normally necessary in general practice are a seminal analysis and mid luteal progesterone level. Infertile couples often ask about the success rates of the various treatments and information about this and about the risks involved is found in chapters 5 and 6. Ethical matters are discussed in the last two chapters. One in seven couples are said to experience problems in conceiving and so the need for information about infertility is paramount. This book undoubtedly meets that need and is a must buy for any practice library. Go to top
Format:CD-ROM
Editors: Irwin M. Freedberg, Arthur Z.
Eisen, Klaus Wolff, K. Frank Austen, Lowell A. Goldsmith
ISBN:0-07-134676-7
Publisher:
McGraw Hill
Orders: Contact Sarah Killeen, Special Sales
Executive for Healthcare on: tel: +44 (0) 1628 502558; fax: +44 (0) 1628 502167;
email: sarah_killeen@mcgraw-hill.com
Price:
£287.99 inclusive of VAT
Reviewer:Dr Harry Brown, GP, Leeds
Month
reviewed: May 2000
According to the back of the CD case, this derives from a two-volume set containing 3000 pages and over 2000 pictures (price £270). So putting it all on to one CD-ROM is indeed a miracle of modern technology. Of course there are the age-old arguments of what is best, books versus CD-ROMs. Yes books are more convenient, you can read them anywhere whilst CD-ROMs need a computer. Assuming one is to hand then a product like this is a boon. The advantage of electronic searching, printing direct from the CD-ROM or transferring data to a word processor is an amazing advantage. So that's the general overview but how does this product actually match up? This CD-ROM was tested on a Windows 98 machine, installation was a breeze and at no time during the period of review were there any technical problems. Well the content is first class and highly detailed, the quality of the pictures (and text for that matter), on the screen as well as printing them out, is excellent. More importantly the software employed on the CD-ROM to access the content is easy to use and most computer users will have no problems with it. Certainly you do not have to be an expert computer user to figure out the software and I had no need to refer to the reasonable manual that came with the CD-ROM. The screen can become a little cluttered sometimes if you have more than one window open, for example the search form, table of contents plus viewing the book itself, but this is easy to remedy by clicking options from the view menu. Overall this is a great product and if this is your subject area (the content is really aimed at the specialist dermatologist or interested family practitioner wanting to have a detailed resource handy) and you like to use CD ROMs instead of books, then this is for you. Go to top
Format:Book
Editor: Gabriele Porro
ISBN:007-709519-7
Publisher:
McGraw Hill
Orders:
Contact Sarah Killeen, Special Sales Executive for Healthcare on: tel: +44
(0) 1628 502558; fax: +44 (0) 1628 502167; email: sarah_killeen@mcgraw-hill.com
Price:
£39.99
Reviewer:Dr Harry Brown, GP, Leeds
Month
reviewed: July 1999
It is always worth reading the foreword of the book because that often gives a clue about the ethos of the text. This book is no exception to the rule and from reading the foreword, the reader appreciates this book is not aimed at the specialist but at the 'family practitioner' and the contributors come from all over the world. However, it is pleasing to see that the book does not have a North American bias and in fact most of the contributors come from Europe. The detail covered in this book just hits the right depth and the editors are to be congratulated in achieving a uniform style. I used this book for a period of time in a busy United Kingdom general practice as a primary reference source and this answered all my questions and covered the topic superbly and authoritatively. Best of all, this book is competitively priced and is cheap enough to buy for personal or practice use. Assuming that you are part of the target audience then you are not going to be disappointed.Go to top
Format:Book
Editors:Vaughan, Asbury and Riordan-Eva
ISBN:0-8385-3137-7
Publisher:
Appleton and Lange
Orders: IBD Customer Services: Tel: 01442
881900 or Fax: 01442 257115.
Price:
£31.00
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
April 1999
This is a new edition of a well-established book and it is ideal as a companion for the average general practitioner. Though most of the authors are based in the United States, there are three British based contributors. Helpfully some of the contributors have allowed their e-mail addresses to be published, so it is possible to contact them and clarify any issue. Hopefully this will not be necessary as the book is well written and there is a generous helping of illustrations which complements the text. In its 432 pages, the vast majority of eye problems encountered within general practice will be covered in more than adequate detail. A practical and useful book which deserves to do well. Go to top
Format:Book
Authors:David McKay Hart and Jane Norman
ISBN:0-443-06198-X
Publisher:
Churchill Livingstone
Orders:Customer Services Dept, Harcourt
Foots, Cray High St Sidcup, Kent DA14 5HP Tel: 0181 308 5710 (ask for direct
orders); Fax: 0181 308 5702; e-mail: cservice@harcourtbrace.com
Price:
£29.95
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
April 2001
This is an excellent textbook, which can be of use to both undergraduates, GPs and practice nurses. The layout is good with relevant portions of text coupled with extensive black and white diagrams. Most importantly, the volume of information is pitched at just the right level, ideal for what a GP needs to know. Using the combination of text and diagrams, the book can be read in its entirety or more likely, specific subsections can be read. Within its 443 pages, the vast majority of gynaecology knowledge that a British based GP will need, can be found here. This is not a detailed reference source but a practical assistance to help a doctor with day to day primary care gynaecology. Go to top
Format:Book
Editor:Martin Burton
ISBN:0-443-06190-4
Publisher:
Harcourt International, 24-28 Oval Road, London NW1 7DX
Orders:Harcourt,
Foots Cray High St, Sidcup, Kent DA14 5HP Subscriptions: Tel: +44 (0) 0181 308
5710 (ask for direct orders); Fax +44 (0) 0181 308 5702
Price:
£21.95
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical
columnist with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month
reviewed: January 2001
This is a new addition of a well know textbook, it is after all in its 15th edition. There has been a significant change in that Bernard Colman is no longer involved and the helm has been taken by four authors who were all junior doctors at one time under Mr Colman. Though the book has been updated, it still retains the same good flowing style and accessibility noted in the previous editions. It still remains ideal for the primary care practitioner and junior ENT specialist, covering all areas of the specialty in adequate depth. The book is well produced and contains a reasonable collection of illustrations. Though there are only 224 pages in the book, including the index, it does represent good value for money. If you only need one ENT book for the practice or personal library and you are not an ENT specialist then this book is a good candidate for your hard-earned cash. Go to top
Format:CD ROM version 1.1 (Windows )
ISBN:007134833-6
Publisher:
McGraw Hill
Orders:
Contact Sarah Killeen, Special Sales Executive for Healthcare on: tel: +44
(0) 1628 502558; fax: +44 (0) 1628 502167; email: sarah_killeen@mcgraw-hill.com
Price:
£150 including VAT
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and
medical columnist with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month
reviewed: July 1999
Before you gulp at the price and lose interest just continue to read. This is an outstanding medical reference source which at the end of the day is actually value for money. It contains the full contents of the highly respected Harrison's Principles of Internal medicine 14th Edition, excerpts from Medline but only selected references plus the full text of the excellent USP DI (a practical prescribing and therapeutics manual from the United States) as well as other goodies. These various substantial reference sources are elegantly combined to form an easy to use piece of software supplied on CD-ROM. The actual software is not difficult to operate and anyone who is used to basic word processing and surfing the net will master this within a short period of time. Though time spent reading the excellent user booklet, which accompanies the CD-ROM, is time well spent. There are some nice touches here, like the ability to print a selection of text, rather than print the whole section. Thoughtfully, Macintosh users are also catered for from within the same disc. If you want to be bang up-to-date and utilise the latest technology then you can subscribe to the associated web site, www.harrisonsonline.com. Practice libraries and institutions would be well advised to consider this as a core holding whilst individuals such as GPs and general physicians would undoubtedly find this extremely useful. To be perfectly honest, I could not fault this product at all; the only issue at stake is can you justify the cost? If you think you will refer to it on a regular basis then the answer is probably yes. Go to top
Format:Book
Authors:Stephen Rollnick, Pip Mason and
Christopher Butler
ISBN:0 443 058504
Publisher:
Harcourt International, 24-28 Oval Road, London NW1 7DX
Orders:Harcourt,
Foots Cray High St, Sidcup, Kent DA14 5HP Subscriptions: Tel: +44 (0) 0181 308
5710 (ask for direct orders); Fax +44 (0) 0181 308 5702
Price:
£15.95
Reviewer: Dr Jeremy M Sager, General Practitioner,
Leeds
Month reviewed: June 1999
How do you get your patients to stop smoking? Do you threaten them with the ultimate consequence, lung cancer? Do you paint a gloomy picture of breathlessness at rest, gangrene of the lower limbs and home oxygen dependence? Do you end up in conflict with your patients whenever the question of changing behaviour arises? This absorbing book, written by a clinical psychologist, a nurse and a GP, challenges the ways in which we are taught to advise patients on health promotion matters and shows the doctor how such advice could be delivered more effectively without unecessary bad feeling or confrontation. Using typical scenarios that all GPs regularly face, the authors explain why our efforts to help patients are often ignored and how we can persuade those who at first sight, seem resistant to change. Written in a crisp, decisive manner, this book is a useful addition to any practice library although it is sometimes difficult to see how its principles can be applied in the context of a typical five to ten minute consultation.Go to top
Format:Book
Authors:Newall, Anderson and Phillipson
ISBN:0
85369 289 0
Publisher:
Pharmaceutical Press
Orders:Pharmaceutical Press, 1 Lambeth
High Street London SE1 7JN; Tel: 44 (0) 171 735 9141
Price:
£34.00
Reviewer: Dr Jeremy M Sager, General Practitioner,
Leeds
Month reviewed: July 1999
Although the BNF is full to bursting with drugs for all manner of ills, patients are increasingly turning to herbal remedies. They do not realise that the latter have not been properly assessed for quality, safety or efficacy or that the majority are unlicensed. All this does not seem to deter the average patient in the slightest, who seems to believe that natural is synonymous with innocuous. Patients may not think to inform their GP that they are also using a herbal remedy and do not appreciate the potential for interaction with conventional medicines. Hitherto, there has been a paucity of reliable information on the subject for the general practitioner. Enter this brilliant book, surely the gold standard reference on phytomedicines. You simply will not believe the depth of information contained in its 296 pages. A hundred and forty one popular herbs have been subjected to close scrutiny and a monograph has been written for each one. Toxicity and contraindications are fully discussed and will be particularly pertinent to the GP. At the end of the monograph, are references to trials and papers. There are many useful appendices and tables, e.g. herbal ingredients best avoided or used with caution during pregnancy. It is surprising just how many herbs raise or lower BP and therefore may interfere with antihypertensive therapy. If you want to convince your patients of the hazardous nature of some herbal products, a glance at pages 13 and 14 should suffice. As the use of these products escalates, the need for authoritative information about herbal remedies is paramount. This book undoubtedly is the 'Last Word' on the subject - strongly recommended to GPs with an interest. Go to top
Format:Newsletter
Publisher:
The Medical House
Orders:Shane Langley Tel: +44 (0)114 2619011;
Slangley@themedicalhouse.com
Price:
Hard copy: £140; emailed version: £105
Reviewer: Dr
Jeremy M Sager, General Practitioner, Leeds
Month reviewed: December
2000
Keeping up-to-date in medicine is no longer an option in today's NHS. But
just how can a health professional be expected to keep up with developments both
national and international in the health field? Some spend hours in medical
libraries leafing through countless journals. Others sit in front of their PCs
trawling the web, sifting the advertising chaff and miracle cures from the wheat
of ethical material. Where do patients go when they are searching for reliable
health- related information on the web and where can nurses and other
professions supplementary to medicine find the latest and most up to date
information? Where do doctors and patients go when they are searching?
Enter Health on the Internet, a 20- page monthly newsletter
published by The Medical House who are already acknowledged experts in providing
health and medical information for medical professionals. Health on the Internet
scrutinises the very latest UK and US websites, which means that the health
related information you require is never more than a few mouse clicks away. In
the October 2000 issue, nearly 40 websites were visited and indexed on the back
page, so the reader can, at a glance, pick out what is of particular interest.
To see how it might work in practice, suppose I am looking for a site
that will provide reliable information about bladder cancer for a patient.
Health on the Internet suggests I might go to:
http://medweb.bham.ac.uk/cancerhelp/indexg.html and indeed this proves to be an
excellent site sponsored by The Cancer Research Campaign in which patient and
professional alike can have the utmost confidence.
Want to view one of the latest healthcare websites? Log on to:
http://www.superdug.com/health a cyberchondriacs paradise! How about a live
surgery webcast of conductive keratoplasty? This is a procedure which has just
gone through FDA phase 3 trials and uses new radiofrequency technology to
reshape the cornea. Point your browser at http://www.refractec.com.
There is so much information out there, it is easy to feel totally
overwhelmed by it all. Busy health professionals need a shortcut through the
information superhighway— this is it.
Go to top
Format:Book
Authors:Sally Hope, Margaret Rees and Janet
Brockie
ISBN:0-19-262956-5
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Orders:Tel: +44 (0) 1536 741727
Price:
£17.95
Reviewer: Miss S J Kaufmann, Specialist Registrar
Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yorkshire, UK
Month reviewed: July 1999
With the female population spending an increasing proportion of their life in the postmenopausal state, the question of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has increasing significance. Risks and benefits may appear confusing in certain circumstances - this book addresses this in a clear, effective manner. It provides a short, easy to read synopsis of HRT for all primary care workers. It is up-to-date and deals with all the complicated issues regarding HRT and the breast, non-breast cancers, venous thromboembolism, osteoporosis, ischaemic heart disease and dementia. Each chapter is well presented with basic physiology explained and the relevent clinical data, from which the conclusions are drawn, quoted. Sensibly, it also gives guidance to the rational use of investigations. For those circumstances when conventional HRT is inappropriate, or declined by the patient, alternatives are mentioned varying from the well researched (such as etidronate) to the more modern, such as aromatherapy. Whilst obviously covering the medical subject in depth, it also takes a more holistic approach by exploring the role of the nurse in women's health. At under £20, this book is good value for money. Go to top
Format:Book
Author:Alan Gillies
ISBN:1 85775
368 2
Publisher:
Radcliffe Medical Press
Orders: Tel: +44 (0) 01235 528820;
E-mail: orders@radcliffemed.com; website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
£21.95
Reviewer: Dr Adrian Boonin, General Practitioner,
Leeds and Senior Clinical Lecturer, Academic Unit of Primary Care, University of
Leeds
Month reviewed: July 2000
"Why do we need information?" is the question posed by the first chapter of this comprehensive and (surprisingly) humorous book. From this basic, but essential, beginning Professor Alan Gillies leads the reader through the complex maze that is modern Information Technology for Primary Care. The series of short chapters cover relevant topics such as the use of computers for data collection in general practice, the purpose and usage of Read Codes, information transfer between individual practices and the PCGs, and an overview of the Data Protection Act. Specifically, Professor Gillies helps the reader to assess where his practice is, in terms of IT development, and shows the reader how to move forward, in order to "bring each practice up to the required information maturity level", with the aid of his own computer-based self-assessment system. The format is that of a workbook, with self-completion exercises, case studies, listings of key points, and highlighted principles of good practice. Professor Gillies's style is to pose questions, and then to provide relevant facts and scenarios, which help the reader to find the answers. The deceptively simple prose and the author's relaxed and humorous way of writing, make this a very easy book to read. However, the reader should not be fooled by all this apparent simplicity, as this book is a well written, nicely presented and easy-to-follow guide to a subject, which is essential learning for today's general practitioner. Go to top
Format:Book
Editor:Ruth Roberts
ISBN:1 85775
356 9
Publisher:
Radcliffe Medical Press
Orders: Tel: +44 (0) 01235 528820;
E-mail: orders@radcliffemed.com; website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
£17.95
Reviewer: Dr Adrian Boonin, General Practitioner,
Leeds and Senior Clinical Lecturer, Academic Unit of Primary Care, University of
Leeds
Month reviewed: September 2000
All healthcare professionals are aware of the concept of evidence-based
medicine - the idea that in addition to their own experience, practitioners need
to be able to access relevant and up-to-date information to help in clinical
decision making. Furthermore, at a more local level, practitioners are being
bombarded with clinical guidelines from various sources, and are being
encouraged to develop treatment protocols and drug formularies, which also need
to be backed up with research-based evidence. The difficulty for the average
practitioner is how to keep up-to-date. More specifically, the clinician needs
to know what are the reliable sources of information, how to access them, and
how to apply that information to individual patient problems. Ruth Robert's
guide Information for Evidence-based Care, another book in Radcliffe's
'Harnessing Health Information' series, seeks to answer these questions by
providing the average health professional with the tools required to find,
appraise and implement good evidence-based research.
Chapters are
devoted to such topics as defining the nature of good evidence, from randomised
controlled trials to expert committee reports, and to outlining sources of good
information, such as Medline and the Cochrane library, and how to access them.
The short chapter on how to appraise information, outlining the key elements in
critical appraisal, is, I think, a little too concise, but is sufficiently
well-referenced to allow the reader to access more detailed guidance. I
particularly enjoyed the chapter on clinical guidelines, as I have been involved
in the development of guidelines locally, and am aware of the issues surrounding
the medicolegal implications of guidelines, and the problems of implementation.
Finally, in the Series Editor's Preface, Michael Rigby, tells us that
although "evidence cannot give a treatment plan for an individual patient,
it is there to aid and inform the clinician". This concise, yet
comprehensive, book shows the reader how to begin to obtain, appraise and
implement good evidence-based research for the benefit of patient care.
Furthermore, this book also aims to integrate the general concept of
evidence-based medicine with the individual learner-based ideas of continual
professional development and lifelong learning.
Go to top
Format:A new monthly newsletter
website:Web site
http://www.internetmedicine.com/
ISSN:1086-5691
Publisher:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Orders:Web site
http://www.internetmedicine.com/
Price:
Annual Subscription Personal $103 Non US $123
Reviewer: Dr
Harry Brown
Month reviewed: December 1999
This is a monthly newsletter, which you might have guessed covers medicine on the Internet. It is nearly five years old, which makes it an established player in terms of Internet history. Several editions were reviewed and all were 12 pages long, produced on good quality glossy paper and thoughtfully had holes punched in the margins so they can be stored in a ring binder folder. However, it is not the presentation that most readers are interested in but the content and overall I was impressed. It is not too techie and contains helpful material which would be of appeal to most doctors. Almost certainly novices and experienced surfers would find articles of interest in every edition. Not surprisingly, the newsletter has a web site and a comprehensive listing of all the URLs published in each edition is available from the website. This means that once on line, readers can just click on the URL and they are taken straight to the site mentioned in the article. It is written primarily for an American audience but is relevant for a global audience. If you are interested in subscribing check out the newsletter's website and this will give you an idea on the subject matter covered. Go to top
Format:Book
Author:Ruth Chambers
ISSN:1
85775 393 3
Publisher:
Radcliffe Medical Press
Orders:Tel: +44 (0) 01235 528820;
E-mail: orders@radcliffemed.com; website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
£17.95
Reviewer: Dr Adrian Boonin, General Practitioner,
Leeds and Senior Clinical Lecturer, Academic Unit of Primary Care, University of
Leeds
Month reviewed:July 2000
The NHS was set up to provide a publicly funded health service accessible to all, but who decides what the priorities should be? Until recently most decisions about healthcare provision were made by politicians and doctors. However, it is the declared intention of the NHS Executive that service users should not only have a greater say in the overall service provision of the NHS, but also, at a more local level, how these services should be delivered to individuals. What is the best way to do this? In "Involving Patients and The Public", Ruth Chambers, who is both a GP and a Professor of Health Commissioning, provides the reader with a guide to the involvement of patients in healthcare decision making at all levels. Methods of canvassing opinion are critically analysed including topics like the design of questionnaires and postal surveys, and the benefits and disadvantages of ways to obtain public opinion, such as focus groups, user groups and patient panels. In addition, there are plenty of specific examples of sampling methods and questions to ask, in order to obtain accurate and relevant information from the public. This background knowledge will allow the questioner to have the best chance of getting it right first time, whether the information required is as broad as setting priorities for health spending nationally, or as specific as local surgery appointment times. Finally, references are also made to practical considerations, including ethics, consent, the Data Protection Act and confidentiality. The book is easy to read with plenty of practical examples and check lists, and the text is interspersed with humorous cartoons to emphasize specific points. This is both a good read and an excellent practical guide, appealing to anyone involved in planning healthcare provision at national or local levels. Go to top
Format:Book
Editor-in-chief:H David Humes
ISSN:
0-7817-1787-6
Publisher:
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
Orders:Plymbridge Distributors
Tel: +44 (0) 1752 202301; e-mail: orders@plymbridge.com
Price:
£50
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, GP, Leeds
Month
reviewed:October 2000
This book is truly massive and in boxing terms is a true heavy weight not only in size but also in terms of the volume of knowledge contained within 3254 pages. If you like a big tome to dominate the bookshelf then this will be a welcome addition. Its coverage of general medicine is apparently encyclopaedic and without doubt will be a fantastic reference source. Of course not everyone will want a book like this and some may find it overpowering but others will find it indispensable. Despite the fact that it is an American book with (a not surprising) substantial number of contributors, it is highly relevant to an UK audience. Helpfully there are other associated publications and one is reviewed below (Review of Internal Medicine). Possibly the most attractive factor about this book is its price. It costs only £50 that means that this book is well within the price of an individual and small departmental libraries. Excellent value for money. Go to top
Format:CD-Rom
Developed by: Lotus (An IBM Company)
Publisher:
Lotus Development (UK) Ltd
Orders: Lotus Development (UK)
Ltd, Lotus Park, The Causeway, Staines, Middlesex, TW18 3AG; tel: 0870 6006 123;
email: lotus_information_services@lotus.com; website: http://www.lotus.co.uk
Price:
Around £395.000
Reviewer: Dr Jeremy M Sager GP Leeds UK
Month reviewed:October 2000
So you've got nearly £400.00 to spend on an integrated suite of applications? One product well worth considering is this offering from Lotus, which was actually released in June last year. Comparisons with MS Office are obviously invited and SmartSuite actually stands up very well. The package includes Lotus's database, spreadsheet and word processing applications, a web document publishing tool, a top notch time, information, and contact manager and a graphics presentation application. All the programs can be accessed rapidly from SmartCenter and training demonstrations can be created using ScreenCam. Extras in my box were a good quality noise cancelling headset and microphone, Lotus Notes R5, ViaVoice for word recognition for Word Pro and 1-2-3 and all the manuals including a complementary copy of Lotus SmartSuite Millenium Edition for Dummies. Potential users should bear in mind that ViaVoice requires at least 32MB of RAM and a Pentium 150MHz with MMX or 166MHz without MMX in order to run properly. Lotus are quick to point out the enhanced file compatibility in Word Pro and 1-2-3 with easy data transfer to their Microsoft counterparts. Again, Microsoft Outlook 97 or 98 can easily be converted to a Lotus Organiser 5.0 file. Both versatile and powerful, SmartSuite is a viable alternative to MS Office. Lotus offers you a money back guarantee within 30 days if you are not satisfied. Now what could be fairer than that? Go to top
Format:Book
Authors:Roy Lilley and Paul Lambden
ISBN:1
85775 490 5
Publisher:
Radcliffe Medical Press
Orders:Tel: +44 (0) 01235 528820;
E-mail: orders@radcliffemed.com; website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
£30.00
Reviewer: Dr Adrian Boonin, general practitioner,
Leeds
Month reviewed: September 1999
There was a time when the phrase 'risk management' applied only to big businesses. However, for today's primary care workers, risk management has never been more important. Primary care faces a general public that has both a higher expectation of the services provided by GPs, and a greater readiness to complain. They are helped by an NHS Complaints Procedure that is more user-friendly, and the process is fuelled by a legal profession prepared to operate on a 'no win, no fee' basis. Lilley and Lambden's excellent workbook, together with the attached CD-ROM, takes the reader through a methodical stepwise approach to understanding the principles of risk management, and then goes on to show how these principles can be implemented in a primary care setting. The book is easy to read, and written in a way that encourages the reader to browse, rather than to read it from cover to cover. As well as the general principles, there are chapters devoted to risk management in specific areas of primary care such as clinical documentation, consent and home visiting. Criticisms? Well, some readers may be irritated by the style of writing, which is more like a friendly chat than a practical guide to a serious subject, but I do not feel this detracts from the excellent content.Go to top
Format:Book
Author: Peter Scally
ISBN:0 19
263056 3
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Orders:
OUP, Great Clarendon Street, Oxford OX2 6DP; Tel: +44 (0) 1536 741727
Price:
£19.95
Reviewer: Dr Jeremy Sager, GP, Leeds, UK
Month
reviewed: June 2000
I wish this book had been around when I was a houseman and SHO come to that. Radiology was one part of the medical curriculum that I never got to grips with. Consequently I spent many an hour looking fruitlessly at films without really knowing what I was looking for and hoping I hadn't missed anything important. And how many of the X-rays I ordered were really needed? This rather elegant book is aimed at medial students but I think SHOs and GPs would find it a handy reference. Packed with hundreds of good quality images, possibly the most valuable facet of the book as far as GPs are concerned, is that there is plenty of guidance on ordering the right sort of radiology at the right time. Important "must know" stuff is highlighted in blue and a list of further reading and references is appended. For primary care physicians wishing to further their knowledge of medical imaging, look no further. Go to top
Format:Book
Editors:Robert Kiley
ISBN:0-443-06194-7
Publisher:
Churchill Livingstone
Orders:Customer Services Dept, Harcourt
Foots, Cray High St Sidcup, Kent DA14 5HP Tel: 0181 308 5710; Fax: 0181 308
5702; e-mail: cservice@harcourtbrace.com
Price:
£18.95
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
May 1999
With the Internet now considered to be a major source of medical
information, all doctors should be at least acquainted with how to use it. This
outstanding book should provide a potentially confused medic with all the wisdom
to be able to understand what the Internet can do for them. Unlike many Internet
books, this is not a huge tome but is a small (only 160 pages) well-written,
feature packed book. There is something for everyone here, from the beginner to
the experienced user. The refreshing lack of technical terms and the relaxed
writing style makes this book easy to read. In fact, not only can this book be
used as a reference tool but a new Internet user can easily read this whole book
in a short period of time. By doing this, many of the terms and techniques of
the net would be demystified. There is also a CD-ROM of the book attached within
the inside back cover. But quite frankly, the book itself is all you need, it
is in a class of its own. Go to
top
Format:Book
Editors: CC Gautier and AE Calvazos-Gautier
ISBN:0-7503-0635-1
Publisher:
Institute of Physics Publishing
Orders:By Mail: UK/ROW Books
Marketing Dept., IOP Publishing, Dirac House, Temple Back, BS1 6BE, UK
USA/Canada IOP Publishing c/o AIDC, 2 Wintersport Lane, PO Box 20,
Williston, VT 05495-0020, USA By Phone: UK/ROW +44 (0) 117 929 7481 or
(UK only 0800 373921) By Fax: UK/ROW +44 (0) 117 929 4318 USA/Canada 1-802
864 7626 By email: UK only custserv@ioppublishing.co.uk
Price:
£19.95
Reviewer: Mr DL Shaw MSc FRCS (orth) Consultant
Orthopaedic Surgeon and Hon Lecturer Mech. Engineering, Bradford UK
Month
reviewed: December 1999
This entertaining volume contains over 1500 quotations. These are
categorised alphabetically and organised by chapters from Abdomen to X-rays
via such intriguing categories as Body-Snatcher, Common Sense and Pimple. Whilst
there is a chapter on general practitioners, this reviewer searched in vain for
a category devoted to orthopaedic surgery. Back, cartilage, injury and spine
came closest. In the end I was satisfied to find Richard Selzer's "Surgery
is the red flower that blooms among the leaves and thorns that are the rest of
medicine". Though of course a book like this might most obviously appeal
to public speakers in search of material to 'spice up' a talk, the nature and
range of the quotations listed made this a surprisingly enjoyable read in its
own right. For those in search of a particular quote there are two indexes,
Subject by Author and Author by Subject. This as an entertaining and well
researched volume which forms part of a series of dictionaries of quotations
covering statistics, physics, maths and engineering. It would be a useful
addition to both personal and postgraduate libraries. Go to top
Format: CD-ROM
ISBN: 0683401009
Publisher: Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins
Enquiries:Plymbridge Distributors Tel: +44
(0) 1752 202301
Price:
£65 plus VAT
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical
columnist with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month
reviewed: January/February 1999
Good quality medical clipart is not always easy to obtain and sometimes there is a risk of breaching copyright if you scan pictures from other sources. This excellent collection of medical clipart is ideal for many uses such as a patient newsletter or a presentation. The software is easy to install and use and worked without a hitch on Windows 95. Locating the piece of clipart you require from the wide-ranging collection is simple and requires minimal skill. I also found it easy to transfer the selected piece of clipart to my desktop publishing programme. Go to top
Format: CD-ROM (Windows version)
ISBN: 1-57276-043-5
Publisher: HealthStream (formerly
SilverPlatter Education), 50 Beacon St., 3rd Floor, Boston MA 02108; tel.
617-557-7000; fax 617-557-7070; website: www.healthstream.com
Orders: Website listing all CDs available:
www.healthstream.com/cdlibrary; email: kab@healthstream.com
Price: $149 individual users; $399 institutional users
Reviewer:
Miss S J Kaufmann, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Huddersfield
Royal Infirmary, UK
Month reviewed:December 1998
This comes on one CD and installs quickly and easily. It immediately gives the impression of a very professional package. It leads the user through a logical progression of topics starting from normal endocrine physiology and the physiology of the menopause through its management, to discussion of Hormone Replacement Therapy in more complicated scenarios, such as women with breast cancer. It takes a global view of the subject and includes chapters on the social and cultural aspects and women's views of the menopause. Each chapter has clearly defined objectives. The layout of the programme makes these objectives easy to attain. For those that do not want to just follow the ordered progression of the disc, then finding specific topics is simple, either by starting with the relevant chapter or by using the comprehensive search facility. This gives access to different views of the same topic e.g. a search on breast cancer leads to case studies, presentation of scientific data and relevant treatments. Whilst the individual drug products named are obviously for the American market, they are also listed by generic drug, dose and route. The 'translation' to the closest British equivalent is thus made easy. It does try and cater for the UK market by covering UK practice in its chapter reviews. Like its other products, Silverplatter uses tools such as the transcript feature that allows you to print the text of the narration and the marker feature that allows you to mark images and text. Mini courses can be tailor-made with the carousel player allowing the individual to group together specific topics. These can be saved and used at a later date. The authors have utilised the multimedia environment well. The case presentations tackle the issues that we see on this side of the Atlantic, albeit with a different accent! Their interactive style is as close to a real patient as it can get with high quality videos enabling you to 'meet the patient', 'take a history', 'further evaluate the patient', 'assess and plan your management' and ultimately 'seek the advice of the expert'. Your management plan is based upon a question and answer format, with you being able to type in your answers for later comparison to the expert's answers. It is well researched with a wide variety of issues related to the menopause exceptionally well presented. Its content and style deserve it to be considered by both primary and secondary care workers in this country, despite its obvious US bias. Go to top.
Format: Book
Editors: Tom O'Dowd and David Jewell 1998
ISBN:
0-19-262581-0
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Subscriptions:Tel:
+44 (0) 1536 741727
Price: £29.50
Reviewer: Dr
Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist with a special interest in information
technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:September 1998
Men's health is very much a subject which until recently has had relatively limited published coverage compared to female topics. There are even fewer books which cover men's health relevant to British based general practice, so it's a pleasure to see this multi-author book, with many of the contributors having a general practice background. Apart from the obvious urological and reproductive health issues, there is a wealth of material packed into the 277 pages. In a rapidly changing field this up-to-date book admirably brings together under one roof diverse areas of medicine relevant to men's health. It is also an interesting read and an excellent textbook which deserves to sell many copiesGo to top.
Format:Book
ISBN: 0911910-10-7
Publisher: Merck
Publications
Orders:Customer Services Dept Harcourt Foots Cray High
St Sidcup, Kent DA14 5HP Phone 0181 308 5710 (ask for direct orders) Fax 0181
308 5702
Price:
£24.95
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
March 1999
It is 100 years since this book was first published and it has a distinguished heritage. However in today's modern environment how does it fare? Well it is a cracker of a book. In just over 2800 pages most medical topics are covered in a uniform and highly readable manner. Considering the number of contributors, the editorial control has been excellent. It is a compact volume, so it is easy to have on the desk and even easier to refer to. Any doctor, no matter their speciality, should consider adding this book to their personal library. It is astonishingly cheap (Merck publishes books on a not for profit principle) for such a comprehensive volume. It is not just a textbook of Medicine. Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Dermatology, Psychiatry, ENT and Ophthalmology are just some of the specialities covered. This is a true gem in the world of medical publishing. Go to top
Format:Book
Editors:Anthony H.V. Schapira and Robert C
Griggs
ISBN: 0-7506-7085-1
Publisher: Butterworth
Heinemann
Orders:Customer services department: Heinemann Publishers
Oxford PO Box 382 Halley Court Jordan Hill Oxford OX2 8YW or telephone +44
(0)1865 88818
Price:
£60.00
Reviewer:Dr Jeremy M Sager General Practitioner,
Leeds, UK
Month reviewed: April 2000
This hard-backed book is number 24 in the Blue Book series of practical neurology with contributions from multiple authors mostly from the USA but also from Europe and the UK. It is a solid and serious, heavily referenced text which will appeal in large part to the hospital physician in neurology, rehabilitation medicine and rheumatology. Even so, there is much here to interest the general practitioner although the price is a little off-putting. The latest thinking on fibromyalgia is covered in detail whilst the short review on chronic fatigue syndrome and evaluation of the patient with muscle pain and fatigue make useful reading. The muscular dystrophies and myotonic disorders are all here, as are comprehensive discussions of myasthenia gravis, the inflammatory, endocrine and toxic myopathies. The rarer mitochondrial myopathies are discussed in chapter seven and the fascinating but unusual periodic paralyses are dealt with in chapter six. All in all, a book for the hospital doctor rather than the GP, but an interesting and informative read nevertheless. Go to top
Format:CD-ROM
Price:
Variable, contact a number of dealers to compare prices
Reviewer:
Dr Jeremy M Sager, General Practitioner, Leeds
Month reviewed: June
1999
This is a superb package of comprehensive office software that has much more than the average GP will ever need but which will be invaluable to the small business. The box contains three CD-ROMs with Word, Publisher, Excel, Outlook, Small Business Financial manager, IE 4, Autoroute Express '98 and a 565 page manual! Installation on my PC was straightforward (you need to input the CD Key number on the back of the box for each application). Then it was off to create my first Word document with the aid of the Office Assistant. For those used to Microsoft Works, Word offers a substantial improvement with such features as grammar checking and autoformat. Errors are underlined as you type. Displaying data in chart form is a piece of cake with Excel's Chart Wizard and you can take your pick of fourteen formats. Outlook can manage everything from contacts and tasks to schedules and email whilst with Publisher, professional looking newsletters and brochures are a few clicks away. The Web Site Wizard enables easy conversion of such publications to a website. Small Business Financial Manager which supports many popular accounting packages, can be utilised in the analysis of accounts using 'what if' scenarios and makes full use of Excel. Autoroute Express makes route planning within England, Scotland and Wales, a doddle. Allowances can be made for driving times, speed, fuel consumption and stops en route. Moving around the map is easy and you can zoom in to see greater detail or click on the star to see nearby attractions. To quote the box,'Office 97 helps you do your best work'. I agree. 10/10. Gold star.Go to top
Format:Website
Website:http://www.nanp.org.uk
Reviewer:
Dr Harry Brown, General Practitioner, Leeds
Month reviewed: August
1999
The National Association of Non-Principals is an organisation whose name well describes their activities. Their web site is ideal for members and other interested parties to find out what is happening within the organisation. They have produced a first class offering at http://www.nanp.org.uk and it is an excellent showpiece for the organisation. The design and layout is superb but more importantly, the content is relevant and up-to-date. There is a wealth of practical and useful information such as a catalogue of past newsletters published by the group and listings of local groups. Helpfully, all the information is clearly signposted from the home page. This is a fine example of the very best in web technology.Go to top
Format:Book
Last published:October 1999
ISBN:0-7216-7767-3
Publisher:Harcourt
Ltd, Foots Cray High St, Sidcup, Kent DA14 5HP
Orders:Tel: +44 (0) 181 308 5710 (ask for direct orders); Fax +44
(0) 181 308 5702
Price:
£75
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, GP Leeds
Month
reviewed: December 1999
This book has a long and distinguished lineage and is now in its 16th edition. It is one of the ultimate books on general paediatrics, comprehensive but readable. It comprises just over 2400 pages and yet is not an overwhelming tome. Within this single volume, resides a vast repository of paediatric information logically laid out. Helpfully, the index is detailed and runs to just over 100 pages. Common conditions are covered in excellent detail, whilst rare conditions receive appropriate coverage. The text is broken up into smallish chapters and this has the advantage that individual sections can be read easily and quickly. Unusually for a textbook this means that it is easy to read around a certain topic or clinical problem relatively quickly. In truth, I cannot really criticise this excellent resource. There are no obvious failings and most importantly, it represents superb value for money. An excellent choice for a personal library for both a primary care practitioner and a specialist. Go to top
Format:Book
Editor: RAC Hughes
ISBN:
0-7279-1405-7
Publisher:
BMJ Books
Orders: Tel: +44 (0) 171 383 6244; email:
orders@bmjbookshop.com
Price:
£35
Reviewer: Dr Jeremy Sager, GP, Leeds, UK
Month
reviewed:January 2001
An overview of the causes and management of coma gets this book off to a flying start. Dr Bates from Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary is to be commended for his crisp and decisive writing style that sets the tone for the other twelve sections, each fairly short yet comprehensively written. Although mainly aimed at junior hospital staff and non-neurologists, primary care physicians should not be put off from reading Neurological Emergencies. They will find the chapters on acute stroke, delirium, subarachnoid haemorrhage and cerebral infection particularly interesting with key points being highlighted in boxes and references a plenty at the conclusion of each chapter. Those more senior GPs will be surprised to note therapy changes in such situations as status epilepticus. This is a particularly readable book and an excellent way to brush up on the very latest advances in emergency neurology. Recommended especially for the GP A/E Clinical Assistant. Go to top
Format:Book; Fourth edition (First Published 1999)
Editors:William
J. Weiner and Christopher G. Goetz
ISBN:0-7817-1707-8
Publisher:Lippincott
Williams and Wilkins
Orders:Plymbridge Distributors, Estover Road, Plymouth, PL6 7PY
Devon; Tel: +44 (0) 1752 202 301; Fax: +44 (0)1752 202 331; E-mail:
orders@plymbridge.com
Price:
£34.00
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, GP Leeds
Month
reviewed: April 2000
Firstly great credit should go to whoever thought of the title of this book, which is a snappy and a very apt description that neatly summarises this book very well. It is an American authored book with a number of contributors-35 in total. It is clearly and concisely written and it is pitched at a level which would be ideal for a UK-based GP. There is a liberal sprinkling of pictures and illustrations though they are in black and white. Each chapter covers a specific topic and so that chapter can be read independently of the others. Equally, it is comprehensive enough to act a sole neurological resource for a general physician, general practitioner, a psychiatrist or a geriatrician. Even better, it is not a big tome and is not likely to overwhelm a user. So this book should have a wide appeal and will more than adequately cover the specialty. Go to top
Format:Book
Author:Alan Nathan
ISBN:0 85369
384 6
Publisher: Pharmaceutical Press
Orders:Pharmaceutical
Press, 1 Lambeth High Street London SE1 7JN; Tel: 44 (0) 171 735 9141
Price:
£19.95
Reviewer: Dr Jeremy M Sager GP Leeds
Month
reviewed: July 1999
This comprehensive but easy to read book about non-prescription medicines, has been written by a lecturer from the Deptartment of Pharmacy, King's College Hospital, mainly for pharmacists who need to give appropriate, consistent advice to patients but, GP's and even patients themselves, would do well to peruse its 374 pages. Each chapter is written in the same authoritative style with recommendations for product purchase at the end. Although references are not listed, an evidence-based approach has been adopted. For instance, there is actually little evidence for the efficacy of Acyclovir cream in herpes labialis even though we are exhorted on the TV to "treat the tingle". Other snippets of useful information I gleaned were that distilled witch hazel is the sole constituent of Optrex and that Adcortyl in Orabase (my favourite prescription for aphthous ulcers) is now available OTC, again the evidence that it works is lacking. The chapter on smoking cessation is particularly thorough and should be mandatory reading for those addicted to the demon weed. GP Registrars and Practice Nurses in particular, should find this book useful. It should be on the shelves of every practice library. Go to top
Format:CD-ROM (Windows version)
ISBN:0-8385-9645-2
Publisher:
Appleton and Lange
Orders:Distributors IBD Tel +44 (0) 1442 881891
Price:
£197.00 including VAT
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and
medical columnist with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month
reviewed: June 1999
This is an ideal obstetric resource for the specialist and much of it will be of interest to primary care as well. Like many modern electronic products, there is more than one resource here. It contains William's Obstetrics 20th Edition, the study guide to William's Obstetrics 20th edition and Operative Obstetrics. So there is little doubt on the quality of the material here, the trick is to compile an interface, which links in all these resources, and utilise them via one front end. Installation was a breeze and should present no problem and within minutes the user will end up at the opening screen. It is a little confusing to start with but there is an excellent and readable manual, which should be looked at before proceeding. Soon the abilities of the software become apparent and in fact the product becomes very easy to use. Whilst at the same time, the browsing software is very powerful. All the electronic tricks that you would expect such a product to do, can be done with the minimum of fuss. Often the question boils down to 'is it worth it?' I suspect most users will not be disappointed.Go to top
Format:Book
Editor: Eliizabeth Arendt
ISBN:0-89203-205-7
Publisher:The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Orders:The
Eurospan Group 3 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden London WC2E 8LU, Tel: +44 (0)20
7240 0856 Fax: +44 (0)20 7379 0609 E mail: orders@edspubs.co.uk
Price:
£96.95
Reviewer: DL Shaw MBChB MSc FRCS(ed) FRCS(orth)
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Month reviewed: April 2001
This is an A4 size soft cover volume of just over 400 pages. Published by The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons with the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine this is one of a series of "OKU" (Orthopaedic Knowledge Update) publications. These are designed to be up to date reviews which bridge the gap between text books and journals. There are five sections dealing respectively with Musculoskeletal Structure & Function, The Team Physician, Disorders of the Spine, Upper & Lower extremity. This volume like its partners consists of chapters written by many authors, in this case 44, from both medical and other disciplines. Each of the chapters is followed by a detailed bibliography citing and summarising the relevant publications and research. All primary care physicians who are involved in the care of sports injuries and this is the majority will find this volume useful in updating their knowledge and as a valuable reference resource. Those for whom involvement extends further, perhaps to the care of local amateur or professional athletes will find this book helpful particularly where it addresses the team physician and for the wealth of useful information and references in a surprisingly compact volume. Go to top
Format:Book
Editor: James Kellam
ISBN:0-89203-205-7
Publisher:The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Orders:The
Eurospan Group 3 Henrietta Street, Covent Garden London WC2E 8LU, Tel: +44 (0)20
7240 0856 Fax: +44 (0)20 7379 0609 E mail: orders@edspubs.co.uk
Price:
£96.95
Reviewer: DL Shaw MBChB MSc FRCS(ed) FRCS(orth)
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Month reviewed: April 2001
In a soft back A4 volume of 400 plus pages the editors have assembled contributions by nearly 50 surgeons from trauma and allied disciplines. There are four sections devoted respectively to Upper & Lower Extremity Trauma, Pelvic and Spine trauma. Each section contains four or five relevant chapters authored by acknowledged experts. Following the format of the OKU (Orthopaedic Knowledge Update) series, which are designed to be up to date reviews and bridge the gap between textbooks and journals; each chapter is followed by an annotated referenced bibliography. Modern trauma surgery is both complex and rapidly changing. General practitioners will not infrequently be faced with patients who have undergone complex surgical procedures after trauma. This volume provides an invaluable reference in such cases and should allow the Doctor to answer most of the questions he or she may be asked. There is also clear guidance to be found on the management of less severe soft tissue injuries of the kind which may present directly to primary care physicians. Go to top
Format:Book and CD-ROM package
Author:McMillan J.
DeAngelis C. Feigin R. Warshaw J.
ISBN: 0781720125
Publisher:Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins
Date published:July 1999
Orders:Plymbridge
Distributors tel: +44 (0) 1752 202301
Price:
£99.00 + VAT; Book only: ISBN 0781716187, Price £67.00 (no VAT)
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, GP Leeds
Month reviewed:
December 1999
This is a mammoth general paediatric textbook with just under 2500 pages containing the wisdom of 346 contributors. Needless to say it tries to be pretty comprehensive and seems to succeed. The chapters are laid out in a logical order but most users will probably use the very detailed index. Part V of the book deserves special mention, it is virtually a manual within itself and is titled Pediatrician's Companion: Things you forget to remember and contains a bundle of practical information. However the biggest bonus is that the book can come with a CD of the book, conveniently tucked into an envelope on the inside back cover. This means that the book can be rapidly searched electronically and then the text can be read at leisure in the book. Some people say that you do not need both, and a reader can use either one or the other. I personally have used both mediums whilst reviewing this book and found both complemented each other. All in all, this bundle represents excellent value for money and it is a shame that in the UK, this book does not have a wider profile. Users and purchasers will not be disappointed and the addition of the CD is a welcome bonus.Go to top
Format:Book
Authors:Wyatt J; Illingworth R; Clancy M;
Munro P; Robertson C
Published:1999
ISBN: 0-19-262751-1
Publisher:Oxford University Press
Orders:Oxford
University Press: Tel: +44 (0) 1536 741727
Price:
£18.95
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, GP, Leeds
Month
reviewed: April 2000
This superb handbook, like others in the Oxford series is designed to fit in a coat pocket, ideally a white coat. It is protected by a durable vinyl cover and excellent coverage of the specialty is achieved in just under 800 pages. It is obviously designed for front line staff-almost certainly senior house officers in accident and emergency medicine. However it is also an excellent book for the GP wanting to brush up on their skills and knowledge. It is very much a practical text and there is plenty of room to add the user's own notes. For a GP registrar who is about to embark on a post in accident and emergency, this book should be on the must have list. In fact there is an argument that employers should provide a free copy of this book to all new doctors entering a post in accident and emergency, in the same way people get free copies of the BNF. If you have to buy a copy, at £18.95 it represents excellent value for money. If as a GP you need an A & E book for the practice library, this is probably the only one you will require. Go to top
Format:Book
Author:Collier, Longmore and Duncan Brown
ISBN:0
19 262943 3
Publisher:Oxford University Press
Orders:Oxford
University Press: Tel: +44 (0) 1536 741727
Price:
£15.95
Reviewer: Dr Jeremy M Sager GP Leeds
Month
reviewed: July 1999
Absolutely superb. There are no other words to describe this compact book which has so much information crammed into its 806 pages. I began reading it at two o'clock on a warm Saturday afternoon in the garden and was still deeply engrossed three hours later. The marvellous thing about this book is that it tells you exactly what you want to know. No boring theoretical mumbo-jumbo but intensely practical, bang up-to-date information for the jobbing doctor in a highly readable form. Chapters worthy of special mention include the Ophthalmology section which has several colour photographs of retinopathy and the Psychiatry chapter, which again has some useful hints and tips on such thorny problems as doctor-dependency and how to recognize and treat your own mental illness. Did you know, for instance, that the hospital definition of an irritable doctor is one who disagrees with more than one nurse in 24 hours?! If you have to choose books that can be carried in your medical bag, then buy this and its sister, The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine. You won't be disappointed, I promise you. Go to top
Format:CD-ROM (Windows version)
ISBN:019 2686534
Publisher:Oxford
University Press
Orders:Oxford University Press: Tel: +44 (0) 1536
741727
Price:
£176.25 including VAT
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and
medical columnist with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month
reviewed: July 1999
I had the pleasure of reviewing the previous incarnation of this product for another publication and in fact the box quotes from my review at that time "a breakthrough in medical publishing". So it was with great interest and anticipation that I loaded this CD ROM in to my machine. Just to recap this is a multimedia product, which is aimed primarily at GPs but is useful for accident and emergency departments as well as selected out patient clinics. It includes text from the highly acclaimed Oxford handbook of clinical specialties and clinical medicine. However, this is more than just an electronic version of these books. Integrated within this bundle is some fine multimedia presentations, an extremely useful section of patient information leaflets and access to information about self-help groups. In addition, there is a group, which is updating the information, and updates are available. However this product scores highest in the seamless integration of its various data sources into an elegant and easy to use interface. Finding the answer to many clinical queries becomes simplicity itself. This makes it a joy to use and from a primary care point of view, it provides succinct and relevant information about a variety of clinical problems. It is fast and Internet compatible and is a worthy successor to the first edition making it an outstanding reference source. The only criticism I can think of is the price, it is expensive perhaps reflecting the intensive development that this product required. However, undoubtedly it is carrying on the tradition of being a breakthrough in medical publishing yet again.Go to top
Format:Book (2 volumes)
ISBN: 0 19 262557 8
Editors:David
Easty and John Sparrow
Publisher:Oxford University Press
Orders:Oxford
University Press: Tel: +44 (0) 1536 741727
Price:
£225.00
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical
columnist with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month
reviewed: October 2000
This is another publishing masterpiece with a panoramic and encyclopaedic view of the subject of ophthalmology. The quality of illustrations (and there are plenty of them) are superb and the depth of coverage is excellent. Without doubt this book is aimed at the specialist though a GP or a specialist from another branch of medicine would be interested to consult this book in a library. It is also good to note that the text is easy to read and is well broken up into small chunks. This means that it is simple to find the relevant information quickly. This book maintains the Oxford tradition of producing a detailed review of the specialty making it an indispensable reference source for all those associated with the specialty. There are only two drawbacks, the book is in two volumes which to be fair is probably difficult to avoid. Whilst the price certainly is a major consideration to all purchasers, the good news is that for the right user, this book will probably be consulted regularly. Go to top
Format:CD-ROM (Windows version)
Editors: P. Maddison, D
Isenberg, P Woo and D Glass
ISBN:0 19 262697 3
Publisher:Oxford
University Press
Orders:Oxford University Press: Tel: +44 (0) 1536
741727
Price:
£225.00
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist with a special
interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed: October
1999
This two-volumed textbook is a living testimony to the fact that large textbooks are not dead in this multimedia era. Sure CD-ROMs are an invaluable breakthrough in medical education but there is still nothing to beat a well-produced book. Coming from an illustrious stable of Oxford Textbooks, these two large tomes will likely cover most aspects of the specialty that a working rheumatologist needs to know. There is no doubt that this two volume set is aimed squarely at a physician who has substantial rheumatology practice, though a general practitioner that works as a clinical assistant may also want to splash out and buy this outstanding resource. As well as trying to be all encompassing in its coverage, it is a beautifully produced book and delightfully illustrated. Even non-rheumatologists will use this reference work in their library. It is a fantastic book at a premium price but I am sure that people who refer to it regularly will feel that it is money well spent Go to top
Format:Book
Editors:Harries, Williams, Stanish and
Micheli
ISBN:0 19 262717 1
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Orders:+44
(0) 1536 741727
Price:
£120
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
March 1999
This is a superb and outstanding reference book which any medic with a serious interest in sports medicine would love to own. Coming from an impressive lineage, the oxford textbook series, this comprehensive single volume textbook seems to cover in great detail, every imaginable aspect of sports medicine, and thus it is aimed at a doctor with a special interest in sports medicine. It is too detailed and probably too expensive for the average GP's requirements. Even so, unusually for a textbook, it is interesting and enjoyable enough to dip in for a leisurely read. Go to top
Format:Book
Authors:Mark Duman & Christine Farrell
ISBN: 1 85717 409 7
Publisher: Kings Fund
Orders:+44
(0) 020 7307 2591
Price:
£10.99
Reviewer: Dr Adrian Boonin, General Practitioner,
Leeds and Senior Clinical Lecturer, Academic Unit of Primary Care, University of
Leeds
Month reviewed: July 2000
"The Health Act 1999 put information for patients, and for the public generally, high on the NHS agenda". Thus begins the opening chapter of this comprehensive guide to the production and dissemination of information for patients. Indeed, the "rights" of patients to have access to information, to help in the decision making process regarding proposed treatments, are embodied in the Patients Charter, and is another reason why the development of high quality patient information is so important. In The POPPi Guide, produced by the Kings Fund, the authors present a stepwise guide to the production of patient information. The book starts at the very beginning of the process by showing the reader how to develop an information policy, how to plan the required workload, and where to collect the evidence to support the information that is to be given. The subjects of content, presentation, dissemination and evaluation are each extensively covered in separate chapters. The book is written in a simple, clear style with frequent subheadings and a "bullet-point" format, in preference to long paragraphs of text. This makes the book very easy to read, and facilitates its use as a reference to be dipped into for any particular area of the topic. The subject matter is well interspersed with "action points", case studies and sources of further information. There is even a Feedback Form at the back of the book, where the authors encourage the reader to comment on it, and send the feedback to the Centre for Health information Quality (ChiQ). This simple, and novel, idea serves to reassuringly show the reader that the authors do actually practice what they preach! This is a book, which will obviously be found useful by healthcare workers in both primary and secondary care. However, it will also appeal to voluntary groups working in the health sector, and patient self-help groups, as well as patient groups in general. Go to top
Format:Book
Editors:Rose P. Lucassen A
ISBN:0-19-262931-X
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Orders:+44 (0) 1536 741727
Price:
£32.50
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
March 1999
This book's title describes exactly who this book is aimed at and it achieves its aim with distinction. It is a British book, with UK authors and it is directed at general practice in the UK. However, primary care anywhere in the world would find this subject matter interesting. This book covers an area where I am sure most British GPs are rusty, though this is no reflection on their capabilities. It is a fast moving and relatively new speciality and undergraduate (and postgraduate training) is limited. So this book will certainly fill a knowledge gap and does it admirably well. This book will be of interest to all members of the primary care team and is the first book I have come across which tackles the subject so well. Even better, for a technically based specialty, the text is surprisingly easy to read. It should join the 'must have' list for any practice library. Go to top
Format:Book (first published in 1999)
Editor: Scott B.
Ransom
ISBN:0-7216-7854-8
Publisher: W.B. Saunders and Company
Orders:Customer
Services Dept, Harcourt Foots, Cray High St Sidcup, Kent DA14 5HP Tel: 0181 308
5710 (ask for direct orders); Fax: 0181 308 5702; e-mail:
cservice@harcourtbrace.com
Price:
£70
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:February
2000
'Not another general book on obstetrics and gynaecology' could be the reaction on seeing this book. Well yes, it is a general review of the topic but it is new and does tackle the subject matter from an interesting viewpoint. Reading the preface provides the best way of seeing how the text will be presented. The book highlights cost effective methods and an evidence-based approach. These are two modern buzzwords that are dominant in the medical landscape and so this book is positioned with these concepts in mind. It is written primarily for an American audience and the British reader may be fascinated to see that there are 12 chapters devoted to a major subsection of the book: business principles in obstetrics and gynaecology. This compares to nine chapters on gynaecological malignancy. Within the 12 chapters on business principles in obstetrics and gynaecology there are some gems. For example there is a chapter on medical informatics, clinical pathways and not surprisingly considering the speciality, medico-legal issues. The book overall is rather comprehensive in its coverage and will amply supply a reader with a substantial volume of knowledge. There is also the bonus of some very interesting chapters, which make this book stand out from the crowd.Go to top
Format:CR-ROM
Editor: Seymour Schwartz
ISBN:0-07-134680-5
Publisher:
McGraw Hill
Orders:Contact Sarah Killeen, Special Sales Executive
for Healthcare on: tel: +44 (0) 1628 502558; fax: +44 (0) 1628 502167; email:
sarah_killeen@mcgraw-hill.com
Price:
£199.99 inclusive of VAT
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and
medical columnist with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month
reviewed:July 2000
Before you blink at the price and yes it is expensive, look at what is packed into this CD. There is the full contents of the well-known book which has the same name as the CD and that runs in to over 2000 pages in the printed version. The cost of the single volume equivalent is £81.99. However, there are some extra goodies in the CD-ROM, there are some great (and clear) video clips with commentaries of surgical procedures and there are also over 700 multiple-choice questions based on the text of the book. Of course the electronic version has superb features that the printed one will never be able to match. For example, the ability to rapidly search the contents for a key word (or combination of words), or print out a selection of text as well as add to the text. Of course a book can be read anywhere whilst a CD-ROM requires a computer, though a CD-ROM takes up less space on a bookshelf and in a modern office, access to a computer is usually easy. The software that allows the reader to access the content, is easy to use and takes only a little time to master. The installation routine is not taxing and should present no problems. Without hesitation, there is no doubt that both surgical trainees and established surgeons all over the world will find this product incredibly useful. Despite the North American roots of this book, it is relevant to the majority of surgical practice in the developed world. Though the book was not reviewed, the contents are within the CD-ROM and on its own, looks excellent value for money. If you want the electronic version and are prepared to pay the premium (and plan to use it regularly) then you will almost certainly not be disappointed. Go to top
Format: Website
Address: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed
Reviewer:
Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist with a special interest in
information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed: October 1998
Free access to Medline sites are scattered throughout the Internet but one highly regarded version can be found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed. This service is run by the National Library of Medicine which is based in the US. The search interface is simplicity itself, fast and easy to use. For more sophisticated users there is also an advanced and more powerful search facility. However, some folk may find this awkward to use, so from the main page, click clinical queries in the left hand frame and that takes you to http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/PubMed/clinical.html. This contains pre-set search routines which may help you drill down to the information you require. This service is open to both the public and health professionals and overall I think it is a superb offering.Go to top
Format:Book
Authors:Drs Vivienne Owen Ankrett and Ian
Williams
Orders:MSL, Parrysound, 33 Dornden Drive, Langton Green, Tunbridge,
Wells, Kent TN3 OAE. Tel/Fax +44 (0)1892 862844
Publisher:MSL
(medical slide library)ISBN:0 9535982 0 9
Price:
£14.95 (cheques made payable to MSL, sent to above address)
Reviewer:
Dr Jeremy Sager, GP, Leeds, UK
Month reviewed: June 2000
Ask my partners and they'll agree with me that a good picture of a patient's rash can be very reassuring in the context of a consultation. I've lost count of the number of times I've reached for the big dermatology book on the shelf behind me to show a patient a picture of the rash they've come with. It shows them that you know what you're talking about and management becomes that much easier. Well, now there's a smaller book that covers the common skin problems and some not so common ones. The majority of the colour plates are first rate. For instance with the picture of the strawberry mark on page 21 and accompanying text, it's easy to reassure worried parents. Similarly, the photograph of juvenile plantar dermatosis clearly shows how it differs from tinea pedis and patients will love the eponym "toxic sock syndrome". Criticisms? Perhaps the cradle cap and molluscum pictures could have better definition but this is nit picking. The book represents great value for money for not much more than a couple of private sick notes and I guarantee you'll use it again and again. Go to top
Format:Book
Editors:Yvonne Carter, Catti Moss, Anne
Weyman
Orders: RCGP, 14 Princes Gate, London SW7 1PU
Price:
£16.20 RCGP members, £18.00 non-members
Reviewer: Dr
Jeremy Sager
Month reviewed: October 1999
Here is a book of which the RCGP (and the FPA) can be justly proud. The statistics mentioned in the preface make alarming reading. Many principals including me, will have been surprised by the increased numbers of positive Chlamydia swabs we are finding. The stigma and ignorance attached to such a sexually transmitted infection hinder timely diagnosis and treatment and ultimately have adverse implications for future fertility. This book offers easy to read, practical guidance on sexual health care which would be of interest to GPs and their practice nurses. Extensive use is made of headings and bullet points making the book a pleasure to read at length or just to dip into briefly. Sexual history taking and confidentiality are just two of the thorny topics which are thoroughly covered. The use of case studies and examples illustrates the problems and pitfalls GPs may encounter in the course of their everyday work The whole spectrum of sexual health is discussed including contraception, men's issues, sexually transmitted infections and unplanned pregnancy. Each chapter is followed by a list of key messages, references and further reading. Useful addresses and telephone numbers are listed at the end. All in all, a useful book which will be of great help to any healthcare professional whose work brings them into contact with sexual health issues. Go to top
Format: Website
Address: http://www.visualproductions.co.uk
Reviewer:
Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist with a special interest in
information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed: December 1998
The statement of fees and allowances more commonly called the red book is full of rules and regulations, which directly affect the income of GPs. In reality, many GPs do not have an up-to-date copy of this book or do not know what they have done with it. One solution can be found on the Internet by following the signposts from http://www.visualproductions.co.uk. This is not the most up-to-date version of the red book which may be critical to the point being checked, but at least it is still an early 1998 version and it is free. The company hosting this facility is using this as a showcase for their products which, of course, includes the latest version.Go to top
Format:Book
Editor-in-chief:David Schlossberg
ISSN:
0-7817-1967-4
Publisher:
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
Orders:Plymbridge Distributors
Tel: +44 (0) 1752 202301; e-mail: orders@plymbridge.com
Price:
£27.95
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, GP, Leeds
Month
reviewed:October 2000
This is a great addition to Kelley's textbook of internal medicine (4th edition), it is basically a book of multiple choice questions (over a thousand) with answers and discussion at the end of each chapter. All the major subspecialties of internal medicine are covered and of course within the answers there are references to Kelley that adds further background reading in addition to the commentary. There is also a subject index at the back which can be helpful. This book is ideal for someone sitting an advanced post graduate medical diploma such as the MRCP though any established physician or even GP wanting to test their knowledge and update it at the same time might find this a painless and fun method of learning. Go to top
Format:Book
Editor:Jackie Hill
ISBN:0-443-05792-3
Publisher:
Churchill Livingstone
Orders:Customer Services Dept, Harcourt Foots, Cray High St Sidcup,
Kent DA14 5HP Tel: 0181 308 5710 (ask for direct orders); Fax: 0181 308 5702;
e-mail: cservice@harcourtbrace.com
Price:
£31.95
Reviewer: Barbara Padwell RN Primary Nurse in
Rheumatology, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
Month reviewed: August 1999
This is a valuable addition to the literature on nursing in rheumatology. The book is a compilation of chapters written by 14 UK-based contributors who are all experienced nurses working in the rheumatology field. A holistic approach is adopted throughout and many topics are covered including seamless care, patient education, body image and sexuality. The chapter on seamless care will be particularly valuable to members of primary care groups in terms of planning and provision of services. It is reader friendly, clearly set out and has easy to understand diagrams. Every chapter follows a similar format and begins with a good description of its aims and expected learning outcomes. This is an excellent ongoing reference source for nurses in the rheumatology environment and will greatly assist with professional development and continuing nurse education. The price may be excessive for the individual nurse (even with the latest pay increase!), however, a keen and interested nurse would not be disappointed after purchasing this book. I would consider it a core holding for the bookcase of any rheumatology ward, whilst general medical wards would appreciate the presence of this book in the ward library. Upon reading this book I was forced to step back and review my own clinical practice. It is undoubtedly a practical, yet informative and readable book and would have no hesitation in recommending this to a nursing colleague. Go to top
Format:Book
Authors:SG Spiro, RK Albert and D Fielding
ISBN:1-874545-77-4
Publisher:
Manson
Orders:Manson Publishing Ltd., 73 Corringham Rd., London
NW11 7DL, UK Tel: +44(0) 20 8905 5150 Fax: +44(0) 20 8201 9233
Price:
£15.95
Reviewer: Dr Jeremy M Sager, GP, Leeds, UK
Month
reviewed:July 2000
This book is one of nine in the Self-Assessment Colour Review Series. Instead of a traditional textbook of chest diseases, Manson has opted for the questions and model answers format. Extensive use is also made of radiographs and colour photographs. Presenting information in this fashion facilitates learning, which becomes a much more enjoyable experience than trawling through dull chapters of facts. Other publishers and authors please take note! Although GPs are not specifically mentioned as potential readership, there is much in this 192 page book to interest the primary care physician with information about the very latest treatments and procedures. The quality of illustrations is excellent and at £15.95, the book represents superb value for money. Go to top
Format:Book
Authors:Elaine Cooper and John Guillebaud
Publisher:
Radcliffe Medical Press
Orders:Tel: +44 (0) 01235 528820;
E-mail: orders@radcliffemed.com; website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
£17.95
Reviewer: Dr Jeremy Sager, General Practitioner,
Leeds UK
Month reviewed: September 1999
This is a surprisingly comprehensive book, given that there are less than 100 pages therein but dare I say it, a tad pricey. The authors are to be congratulated on their thorough and broadminded approach to the subject of sexuality in the disabled which, hitherto has been largely swept under the carpet. A particularly attractive and valuable facet of the book is the use of anonymised case histories which cover a whole spectrum of problems and situations. Brief sections on counselling, sexuality and emotional factors begin the book. Then the practical aspects and problems of coitus for the disabled are discussed. There are detailed chapters on the management of fertility, menstruation and contraception for the disabled. Finally, the needs of young people and sexual activity in specific disabilities are addressed. Each chapter is well referenced and additional reading is listed at the end of the book. Highly recommended reading for GPs and practice nurses. Go to top
Format:Book
ISBN: 0-7216-7480-1
Publisher:
Harcourt Foots
Orders:Customer Services Dept, Harcourt Foots,
Cray High St Sidcup, Kent DA14 5HP Tel: 0181 308 5710 (ask for direct orders);
Fax: 0181 308 5702; e-mail: cservice@harcourtbrace.com
Price:
£60.00
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:October
1999
Dermatology books have a great advantage over many other medical textbooks, in that they are highly visual and so are often well illustrated. So this book is no exception but has other nice touches, which sets it apart from other general dermatology textbooks. It was originally a German book but it has been translated into English and all credit to the team behind the translation. The book has a nice coffee table feel to it, because it is printed on glossy paper. The presentation and content is equally classy. The text is on the right-hand side of the page and on the left-hand side, there are excellent and well produced colour illustrations. The text is logically laid out with a brief description of each condition followed by a clinical features and therapy section. The text is short and succinct but is more than adequate for a general description of the problem. As well as being a general textbook of dermatology, in fact it is inviting enough for a reader to just dip in and glance through its contents. Go to top
Product:Notebook PCG-2600TEK
Manufacturer:
Sony
Orders:For more information or to buy a Sony vaio, call the
helpline number: 08705 424424 to ask for your local Sony dealer
Price:
£2042 (ex. VAT)
Reviewer: Harriett Ainley, Editor, Family
Medicine
Month reviewed:November 2000
Falling in love . . . . . . sexy was an understatement, he was slim and
powerful with a beautiful blue metallic glow. I confess, I think I've become an
honorary man and fallen hook, line and sinker for a bit of technology. It all
started the night before going away when Sony kindly delivered to my house, one
of their latest products, a notebook computer (PCG-2600TEK). I wanted something
very portable, and at 1.7kg, that's what I got. It measures 275 mm in width, 226
mm deep and 29.3mm high and has a 12.1" screen. Loading some extra
software was a doddle, even when under pressure. I plugged in the external
CD-Rom drive, which neatly stores its cable around its edges and under the base
(it also comes with an external floppy disc drive and a built-in DVD). The
beauty of external drives is that you don't have to take them away with you
which minimises the potential weight you have to lug around. Shame, however,
about the relatively short cables which force you to find room next to the
computer for your external drives.
But what about power? The vaio has an impressive spec: Intel Pentium
III with 700 MHz; 128 MB SDRAM; 20 GB hard disk drive. The graphics are
stunning, and boasts 8 MB video RAM and 3D accelerator. Perhaps one of the most
popular uses of a notebook is to send and receive email. The vaio has a neat
outlet for a phone socket tucked away in one of the corners next to the base of
the screen and has a 56Kbps built-in modem. I had no problems with the
hardware, only a few minor stumbling blocks with my Internet Service Provider!
If you want to use the vaio without plugging in the mains adaptor, the battery
is said to last for up to 1.5 hours. In my experience, it stayed awake for an
hour whilst in word processing mode. But, I discovered in the in-flight shopping
magazine, that you can buy an adaptor to connect to power in an aeroplane, but I
guess you have to fly at least Club class to use it. You can buy another battery
for £229 but is it worth it for just an hour's juice? However, Sony have
incorporated a handy feature called 'hybernation' where the computer sleeps when
it reachers 7% battery power. This allows enough power to start it up again and
save your work before shuttingx down or plugging into a mains point.
Another nifty feature is the vaio's i.LINK which enables you to plug
into i.LINK devices such as a video camera recorder. If your camera recorder has
a Memory Stick, you can transfer this to the vaio to open up your images. So,
down to the dirty word, cost. Remember one thing before you grimace, if you want
monkeys you pay peanuts . . . .£2042 (ex. VAT). In my view, a worthy
investment; not only does it act as a back-up for my unportable computer at
home, but it comforts me in my travels abroad, and when I'm all alone in a hotel
room, I can surf the web, play games, listen to music, or if push comes to shuv,
work. And, what's more it doesn't answer back, unlike my usual travel companions
. . .
Go to top
Format:Book
Editors: R Hackney & A Wallace
ISBN: 0-7279-1031-0
Publisher:
BMJ Books
Orders:Tel: +44 (0) 171 383 6244; email:
orders@bmjbookshop.com
Price:
£75.00
Reviewer: Mr DL Shaw MSc FRCS(orth), Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
and Hon Lecturer Mech. Engineering, Bradford. UK
Month reviewed:May 2000
This is a 495 page book into which the
editors have managed to pack a very large volume of useful information. The
assembled collection of authors come from a number of disciplines. Chapters on
'training' and 'warm-up' are complemented by discussions of medicines including
anabolic steroids together with useful sections on caring for female athletes,
nutrition and team travel overseas. Whilst the first third of the book is
allocated to topics mainly of interest to those involved directly in sports
medicine at a fairly high performance level, the remainder of the chapters are
concerned with the wide range of sporting injuries common to both elite and "weekend"
athletes. Recognising the importance of knee and lower limb problems, three
separate chapters cover these injuries. There is an excellent chapter on
children's injuries. Further chapters deal with other problems on a region by
region basis. These are followed by chapters covering orthotics, bracing and
taping techniques. The final chapter covers the 'principles of rehabilitation'.
This is a well-written and clearly illustrated volume and the range of authors
provides for multidisciplinary coverage of the subject area. All of the
orthopaedic and trauma areas are covered by experienced orthopaedic surgeons and
are detailed and well referenced enough to be of use as a general review of
these injuries which present frequently to GPs in athletes and non-athletes
alike. Despite the title, this book should find a place in every GPs' library,
to be consulted before referring any patient with a musculo-skeletal injury. For
readers with special interests in the more everyday sports injuries as well, as
for those caring for elite athletes, this is a very useful book.
Go to top
Format:Book
ISBN: 0-683-40007-X
Publisher:
Lippincott Williams and Wilkins
Orders:Plymbridge Distributors
tel: +44 (0) 1752 202301; e-mail: orders@plymbridge.com
Price:
£29.95
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:January
2001
This is an astonishing book, containing a vast amount of information
within its 2098 pages. True it is a dictionary and a superb one at that but
there is more to this book than just a simple dictionary. It is a fantastic mine
of information about the vast field of medicine, it has good illustrations and
is extensively cross-referenced. Any book that has reached its 27th edition
(first published in 1911) is bound to be a mature and well-produced book and
this is no exception. Also for such a large tome, it is solidly put together in
hard back, so it can easily withstand the rigours of regular use. However the
surprise is in the price, at £29.95 it represents fantastic value for money
and is well worthwhile investment for anyone who is likely to use it. That
includes doctors, their support staff and other para-medical specialties.
Without doubt this should be one of the core books of any medical library.
Other products in the Stedman range include: Stedman's Electronic
Medical Dictionary v.5.0 and Stedman's Plus Spellchecker v.8.0
Go to top
Format:Book
Authors:Shah Ebrahim and Rowan Harwood
ISBN:
0-19-263075-X
Publisher:
Oxford University Press OUP
Orders:Oxford University Press: Tel:
+44 (0) 1536 741727
Price:
£29.50
Reviewer: Dr Jeremy Sager GP Leeds
Month
reviewed:December 1999
Stroke medicine as a speciality is experiencing a boom of late. There are an increasing number of physicians declaring a special interest in stroke, more research into acute treatments, (neuroprotective and thrombolytic drugs) and an interest in the optimum treatment for hypertension, which is of course one of the prime risk factors for stroke. The average jobbing GP has neither the time nor the inclination to wade through a multitude of stroke-related clinical papers in order to discover how his stroke patients should be treated. But a quick glance through this book will answer most questions related to stroke management and particularly those that crop up in general practice, for example who do I anticoagulate and which antiplatelet drug do I use. It will interest GPs to know, for instance, that the evidence for an additive effect using Aspirin and Dipyridamole is not as secure as was thought. Every aspect of stroke is explored and evaluations are made for every investigation and treatment for which evidence has been published. Understandably, there is heavy use of statistics which a non-mathematician might find challenging. This should not detract from what is otherwise a superb overview of stroke. The book begins with a comprehensive section on stroke epidemiology. Diagnosis, management and prognosis are reviewed in evidence-based style. Every chapter ends with a summary of easy- to-read numbered points. All the references in the chapters are listed at the back of the book and run to some 53 pages! This is a bang up to date book and is highly recommended to GPs and hospital doctors who have an interest in stroke. Go to top
Format:Book
Author: Sidha Sambandan
ISBN:1 85775 284 8
Publisher:
Radcliffe Medical Press
Orders:Tel: +44 (0) 01235 528820;
E-mail: orders@radcliffemed.com; website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
£29.95
Reviewer: Dr Adrian Boonin, General Practitioner,
Leeds and Senior Clinical Lecturer, Leeds University Medical School
Month reviewed:December 1999
Why would busy general practitioners wish to undertake minor surgery? After all, not only is it time-consuming, but it is fraught with medicolegal implications. The answer to this question, already given by one of the contributors to this book in a foreword, is that both doctors and patients find it rewarding. And yet, even though a high proportion of primary care physicians will undertake so-called 'minor' surgery, there is no specific training for this at undergraduate level, nor is there any standard assessment for undergraduates to demonstrate competence in this field. In Surgery in the Surgery, Sidha Sambandan seeks to rectify this anomaly by producing a written guide to cover all aspects of minor surgery. He makes it clear at the outset, that a book is no substitute for practical experience, and emphasises the need for regular supervised updates of surgical skills. But this is not a book that deals only with the practical aspects of minor surgery. Its comprehensive approach starts with a reminder of the need to update CPR skills, and continues with a self-assessment questionnaire on theoretical knowledge in the field of minor surgery, together with a review of medicolegal aspects, including a useful checklist to help avoid litigation. Adequate preparation is emphasised, and chapters are devoted to Organisation and Equipment, and Infection Control. The book deals efficiently with the nature of different skin lesions and reminds us how to recognise those lesions that are more likely to be malignant. Surgical techniques are dealt with in chapters covering Cryotherapy and Cautery, Suturing, and Opening and Closing, with particular reference to those elusive 'skin tension lines'. I was disappointed with the absence of diagrams in the chapters dealing with Joint Injection and Aspiration, though the diagrams of different suture techniques were particularly good. Finally, this eminently readable book is interspersed with humorous quotations, my favourite being: "A minor surgery is one performed on someone else!". Go to top
Format:Book
Author:Ruth Chambers
ISBN:1
85775 334 8
Publisher:
Radcliffe Medical Press
Orders:Tel: +44 (0) 01235 528820;
E-mail: orders@radcliffemed.com; website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
£30
Reviewer: Dr Jeremy M Sager, GP Leeds
Month
reviewed: June 1999
I have had, in my darkest moments, a recurring nightmare. I am Pretending to listen to Mrs Heartsink as she browbeats me with a never ending list of symptoms that are impossible to disentangle, the surgery is running three quarters of an hour late, waiting patients are complaining and the home visits are accumulating.In the back of my mind are the administrative tasks that I have been putting off and most importantly, the promise I made to my wife and children that I will be in time this evening for the school concert. In my dream, of course, I tell Mrs H., Basil Fawlty-style, exactly what I think of her in a maniacal fashion, following which I fling open my consulting room door and bellow at the waiting masses to leave. In reality, I sit and see them helplessly, blood pressure rising with threats of complaints looming. If all this sounds familiar to you, perhaps now is the time to read this Workbook written by GP Ruth Chambers. Divided into six modules, each one begins with the aims and contents with an estimated time to complete. It should be Possible to get a little group together, work through the modules and obtain PGEA. The causes and symptoms of stress are discussed in the first module, Whilst the second deals with its management in primary care. Assertiveness skills, time management and enhancing job satisfaction, are covered in modules three, fourand five. The final module is devoted to career development. As we approach the new millenium, it's no longer sufficient to be merely clinically competent. This comprehensive book will help enhance your everyday practice by teaching you what you never learned at medical School. Strongly recommended. Go to top
Format:Book
Editor:Keith Hopcroft and Vincent Forte
ISBN:1-85775-395-X
Publisher:
Radcliffe Medical Press
Orders:Tel: +44 (0) 01235 528820;
E-mail: orders@radcliffemed.com; website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
£19.95
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
April 1999
This book will hopefully develop in to a classical general practice book. It is written for GPs by GPs and is aimed at situations which are all too familiar to GPs. The text is written in a practical approach and it tackles symptoms in a sensible manner. The layout of the text helps the reader to quickly scan the main points and so allows this to be used as a rapid reference during consultation with patients. In fact, there is a substantial volume of material here, which is ideal for GPs to refresh their memories. In particular, this book will help guide GP registrars through the symptom maze that often confuses them, particularly in the first few weeks. It is also useful as a source material for GP registrar tutorials. The authors deserve great praise for putting together such a useful book and I hope this will be the first of many editions. Go to top
Format:Book
Authors:Ruth Chambers and David Wall
ISBN:1
85775 373 9
Publisher:
Radcliffe Medical Press
Orders:Tel: +44 (0) 01235 528820;
E-mail: orders@radcliffemed.com; website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
£18.95
Reviewer: Dr Adrian Boonin, General Practitioner,
Leeds and Senior Clinical Lecturer, Leeds University Medical School
Month
reviewed: February 2000
I am always a little suspicious of any book that tempts the reader into thinking that a subject can be "Made Easy", so I must admit that I began reading this book with more than a slight degree of scepticism. The book opens with a scene setting chapter, which helps to show the reader that teaching in the NHS should be relevant not only to the individual and to patients, but also relevant to the structure and ethos of the new NHS. It introduces the concepts of continuing professional development and evidence-based learning, and explains the importance of lifelong learning and personal learning plans. There follow chapters, which cover the psychology and principles of learning and more practical topics such as how to plan educational meetings and an explanation of the different methods of delivering teaching. As a teacher of medical students I particularly enjoyed the chapter on how to give feedback effectively, which is an area that often lets good teachers down. I also found the chapter on supervision and support useful because it provides an excellent introduction to the idea of mentoring. This book is written in a way that makes it easy to read, and the chapters are well-referenced and interspersed with summary boxes and humorous cartoons. For health professionals who have never taught, it is an excellent introduction to this subject. For those currently involved in teaching, it contains elements that will undoubtedly improve skills already acquired. However, I return to my initial opening question, namely, does this book actually make teaching "easy"? The answer is "probably", though I personally would have preferred the title 'Teaching Made Easier'! Go to top
Format:Book (published 2000)
Editor: John Saultz
ISBN:0-07-057958-X
Publisher:
McGraw Hill
Orders:Contact Sarah Killeen, Special Sales
Executive for Healthcare on: tel: +44 (0) 1628 502558; fax: +44 (0) 1628 502167;
email: sarah_killeen@mcgraw-hill.com
Price:
£68.99
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, GP, Leeds
Month
reviewed: May 2000
It is surprising that the discipline of general (family) practice has not generated that many textbooks, which focus on the general nature of the specialty. Perhaps the vastness of the ground that needs to be covered is part of the answer. A general practitioner will not be served by just one book and this book does not attempt to do that. Instead this American multi-authored text looks at family medicine in many ways. The first part of the book looks at the basics and philosophy behind the specialty and then spends the rest of the book covering many of the clinical areas that a family practitioner will have to face. Despite the cultural and economic differences between the UK and the USA, there is a lot in common and so this book will appeal to a British audience. I suspect that a GP registrar will find this book very useful, especially in their first few months of training when they sometimes feel overwhelmed by many of the clinical problems that face them. Overall a very good book and a good introduction to the specialty. Go to top
Format:Book
Editor:William Kelley
ISBN:0-397-51283-X
Publisher:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Enquiries:Plymbridge
Distributors tel: +44 (0) 1752 202301
Price:
£70
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
April 1999
This is more than just a textbook, it is almost an encyclopaedia of general medicine. There are over 2500 pages of text whilst the detailed index runs to a whopping 199 pages. Despite its American origins and size of the tome, it is an extremely useful book, offering clear and authoritative advice. The text is broken up in to readable chunks, interspersed with tables and diagrams. As a British based GP, I found this book very helpful when dealing unusual or difficult problems. Even with common problems, the depth of coverage is not overwhelming. The price is very competitive and if you want, this book is also available on an easy to use CD-ROM. This represents an excellent choice for a detailed general medical reference book. Go to top
Format:CD-ROM (Windows)
ISBN:1 85775 324 0
Publisher:
Radcliffe Medical Press
Enquiries:Tel: +44 (0) 01235 528820;
E-mail: orders@radcliffemed.com; website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
£99 inc. VAT
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical
columnist with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month
reviewed: September 1999
This is a fabulous product if you have the need to refer to it. It contains all of the red book which is the bible which dictates payment for GPs. Also there is a whole load of additional material including health service circulars, lists of fees and allowances and the full text of the contents of the book (from the same publishers) making sense of the red book. There is even more data than listed here and it all adds up to a substantial and probably definitive guide to the complicated payment and contractual system for GPs. Of course being in electronic format, the vast database can be easily and rapidly searched. The software used to access the data is easy and straightforward to use and most people with basic knowledge of computers will master it quickly. So what are the disadvantages? Well it is pricey and if you want a basic knowledge of the red book then the book Making sense of the red book, may be all that is needed. If you are likely to use this product on a regular basis (and I guess that this could be a practice manager) then this may prove to be a wise investment. The only minor gripe is that the CD tried to install itself each time it was placed in the CD tray, despite the fact that it was previously installed. Go to top
Format:Book
Author:Amar Rughani
ISBN:1 85775 427 1
Publisher:
Radcliffe Medical Press
Enquiries:Tel: +44 (0) 01235 528820;
E-mail: orders@radcliffemed.com; website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
£17.95
Reviewer: Dr Adrian Boonin, General Practitioner,
Leeds and Senior Clinical Lecturer, Academic Unit of Primary Care, University of
Leeds
Month reviewed: January 2001
GP education has become a matter of great interest to both politicians and the public. In the past GPs attended lectures or went on courses, as required for Postgraduate Education Accreditation, with no necessity to demonstrate what had been learned. The arrival of revalidation will make GPs think not only about what they are learning but also make them consider why they are learning it. There will also be a necessity to demonstrate the application of acquired knowledge, making learning more relevant to daily work. The GP's Guide To Personal Development Plans shows how personal development plans allow a structured approach to modern GP education, where the practitioner can identify an educational need, plan a way to achieve that aim, and then evaluate and apply the knowledge. Amar Rughani, a General Practitioner and Tutor for Continuing Professional Development in Sheffield, takes the reader by the hand and leads him or her gently through a subject area, which many GPs find unnecessarily threatening. He explains clearly the rationale behind personal development plans and shows, in a deceptively simple way, how to write one. The concise chapters cover all the practical aspects of personal development plans, from the ways of identifying learning needs, to showing how to perform a clinical audit on the application of the acquired knowledge. Dr Rughani unravels the mysteries of PUNs and DENs (what?...more acronyms?), and explains how to undertake 'significant event analysis'. The book ends with a look at practice professional development plans, showing how the same learning process can be applied to the administrative and organisational aspects of primary care. The book is well laid out, with short chapters broken up by relevant headings, and each chapter begins with a list of key points. There are also examples of proformas and self-completion sheets, that GPs may use when writing their own personal development plans. The GP's Guide To Personal Development Plans is a simple but comprehensive guide, and it may well be the only book that you will ever need to read on this subject! Go to top
Format:Book
Authors:Dr Mike Townend and Karen Howell
ISBN:1-85642-171-6
Publisher:
Quay Books, a division of Mark Allen publishing Ltd
Enquiries:Contact
for direct purchase from the publishers Mark Allen Publishing, Quay Books
Division, Mark Allen Publishing, Jesses Farm, Snow Hill, Dinton, Salisbury,
Wilts SP3 5HN. Tel +44 (0)1722 716998; Fax +44 (0) 1722 716926. Cheque with
order should include postage & packing of £1.99 for orders under £20.00
and £2.99 for orders over £20.00
Price:
£13.99
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist
with a special interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed:
April 2000
Since I have been reading this book, it is surprising how many travel related questions I have had to deal with as a GP. Virtually all of them have been about vaccinations for specific destinations. However, travel health within the primary health care scene is more than just about vaccinations. This little book (it is only 182 pages) covers all the issues and is an invaluable assistant to the whole primary health care team. It covers all the practical problems that a GP and their practice nurse is likely to face and makes an interesting read at the same time. The appendix at the end contains an excellent array of sources of information including Internet sites. A very useful addition to the practice library.Go to top
Format:Book
Editors:Cameron Lockie, Eric Walker, Lorna
Calvert, Jonathan Cossar, Robin Knill-Jones, Fiona Raeside
ISBN:0-443-06242-0
Publisher:
Churchill Livingstone
Enquiries:Customer Services Dept, Harcourt Foots, Cray High St
Sidcup, Kent DA14 5HP Tel: 0181 308 5710 (ask for direct orders); Fax: 0181 308
5702; e-mail: cservice@harcourtbrace.com
Price:
£39.95
Reviewer: Dr Harry Brown, a GP and medical columnist with a special
interest in information technology, Leeds
Month reviewed: September
2000
The explosion of travel across continents and countries has been one of the most spectacular growth industries over the latter part of the last century. This social trend has been reflected in the practice of medicine. As the foreword of the book notes, there are more than 2000 malaria cases in the UK every year, resulting in a few deaths. Travel medicine has become an integral part of primary care and it is not just giving the patients their travel vaccinations. It is dealing with all the pre-travel preparations and sorting out the fallout when a health problem occurs on a foreign trip. So this timely book tackles this topic in an authoritative and yet readable manner. In just under 500 pages, this excellent reference guide seems to cover all the angles and could easily be used as a single reference source for a primary care situation. Even for other specialties, this book is a good one-stop shop. Though it may appear to be a little pricey, it is an excellent addition to the practice library Go to top
Format:Book
ISBN: 1 85775 390 9
Editor:Philippa
Moreton
Publisher: Radcliffe Medical Press
Orders:Tel:
+44 (0) 01235 528820
Orders:Tel: +44 (0) 01235 528820; E-mail: orders@radcliffemed.com;
website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
£35
Reviewer: Dr Jeremy M Sager, General Practitioner,
Leeds
Month reviewed: June 1999
Now call me 'Mr Illogical' if you will but I thought that a book entitled 'The Very Stuff of General Practice' would be about, well, the very stuff of general practice, namely boils, diarrhoea, smelly feet and thrush. Not a bit of it! In fact this beautifully bound and embossed volume is the collective effort of ten contributors from the world of primary care and each has written authoritatively about his or her own particular interest. The book is dedicated to Dr John Hasler, the former Director of Postgraduate Education for General Practice at Oxford and full time general practitioner who was responsible for many innovations in general practice teaching. At times heavy going but nevertheless thought provoking, it examines, in-depth, such topics as: the consultation, the growth of informatics and the development of practice management. Chapter 9 takes a dig (and not before time) at medical schools as being poor preparation for general practice and Chapter 10 reviews the shortfalls of early clinical training and how it can be made more effective. There is much here to interest, not only the potential trainer and training practice, but the whole primary health care team. A recommended buy for any practice library.Go to top
Format:Book
Author:Stuart Tyrrell
ISBN: 1 85775 366 6
Publisher:
Radcliffe Medical Press
Orders:Tel: +44 (0) 01235 528820;
E-mail: orders@radcliffemed.com; website:
http://www.radcliffe-oxford.com
Price:
£17.95
Reviewer: Dr Adrian Boonin, General Practitioner,
Leeds and Senior Clinical Lecturer, Academic Unit of Primary Care, University of
Leeds
Month reviewed: July 2000
Clinicians have always required rapid access to the results of current
medical research, in order to be able to provide the best up-to-date information
and treatments for their patients. This is particularly true today, where the
focus of clinical practice is on evidence-based medicine. However, many members
of the medical profession lag behind their commercial colleagues in their
ability to both use and understand that rich source of information, that is the
Internet. In Using the Internet in Healthcare, from Radcliffe's 'Harnessing
Health Information' series, Stuart Tyrrell aims to provide basic non-technical
information for Internet novices, whilst also giving useful tips to those who
are already 'surfing' with confidence. As a doctor who classes himself as one
who uses the Internet, but is not yet completely confident, I found the
scene-setting chapters on e-mail and the World Wide Web (WWW) helpful in
consolidating my basic knowledge, and in explaining, in a simple way, how the
Internet works. The chapters on 'Surfing and sifting' and 'validity and
security' were particularly helpful in refining my ability to use the Internet
to access accurate medical information, and in helping me to sort out which, of
all the information I might obtain, would be most useful to me. The chapter on
setting up one's own website, whilst basic, was clear and concise, and actually
easier to follow than my Internet Service Provider's own help pages on this
topic! As health information on the Internet becomes more accessible to our
patients, it is essential that we, too, learn to develop the skills that will
enable us to use this complex tool easily and, more important, effectively. This
book helps to achieve that aim.
Format:Book
Editors:Robert Gunzburg & Marek Szpalski
ISBN:
0-397-51856-0
Publisher:
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Enquiries:Plymbridge
Distributors tel: +44 (0) 1752 202301
Price:
£72.00
Reviewer: Dr Kenneth Shenderey, GP, Leeds
Month
reviewed: April 1999
In the current climate of litigation, where responsibility and
negligence are paramount in determining compensation, a major area of personal
injury claims relate to road traffic accident induced whiplash injuries. What is
surprising is the dearth of reliable trials on both prevention and treatment. In
addition, the long-term sequelae is a controversial subject. After many years
interest in the problem, I have yet to find two so called experts who agree, and
the waters are even more muddied by vested interest due to the adversarial
system in our courts. One of the difficulties faced by primary care physicians
is that dealing with the consequences of injuries, which may have taken place
twenty or more years ago, is complicated by normal ageing degeneration,
inherited propensity and lifestyle. Therefore it is often difficult to tease out
the strands of aetiology for the conditions that we have to treat. It was
therefore with relief that I acquired this book which purports to be the
definitive answer to current ideas in whiplash injury, and opened it with great
anticipation.
A quick glance through the contributing authors was
interesting for the large number (67), the range of specialities (anatomists,
orthopaedic surgeons, biomechanical engineers, insurance specialists, car
manufacturers, psychiatrists, ophthalmologists, lawyers etc.) and the complete
absence of any primary care physicians. The two editors of the book are
consultant orthopaedic surgeons and this may have influenced their choice. The
preface sums up very quickly the raison d'être for the book, with up to
85% of compensated claims for motor vehicle collisions being due to whiplash
injury. This accounts for a staggering cost in the UK alone of £2.5
billion, 0.4% of the UK's GNP.
The book attempts to give current ideas on pathology, anatomy,
treatment and prevention, and on the whole it succeeds. The book is divided up
logically with basic anatomy and physiology of the cervical spine defined first.
There are eight papers alone dealing with its definition and although some are
slightly esoteric, on the whole they are enlightening and encourage further
thought The weakest area of the book is perhaps the next section that deals
with neurological and psychological consequences of whiplash injury. This is
really the only section that attempts to answer the question of short-, medium-
and long-term effects of the injury. That it deals primarily with psychological
and neurological sequelae, begs the question as to what are the problems that
patients present with both initially and long-term. Certainly these are
important symptoms, but so are the soft tissue and bony ones. There is little in
this book that deals these except in the short- and medium-term treatment
sections. The lack of long term studies on the effects are a large hiatus in
this book, although I suspect that the dearth of validated studies in this area
are to a large measure to blame. Perhaps the authors could have used this
opportunity to include general practice opinion, for this is the only speciality
that sees large numbers of long-term patients post injury. Certainly there is
room for more research in this area.
The next two sections are first class and deal with all treatment
modalities. Some of the surgical procedures listed are perhaps unlikely to
impinge on general practice, but they are leading edge. Finally the book
devotes a whole section to economic issues and prevention. It is here that I
found myself somewhat gob-smacked. This section is full of eye-opening facts
that really do underline the importance of whiplash injuries. In addition there
are two very interesting papers from the automobile industry outlining the
efforts that car manufacturers are making to reduce the number and consequences
of injuries.
In summing up, the first question one should ask is, who is the
target reader of this book? That is easy, I would highly recommend it to anyone
in any branch of medicine and law who has to deal with whiplash. Is it a book
for general practitioners to have on their bookshelf? I suspect only a few would
be prepared to make the investment, certainly only those with a particular
interest. The second question is does it succeed in its aim? There the answer is
a little less certain. I have already outlined its two deficiencies of which the
absence of long-term studies is the major (although it is only fair to repeat
that this is not necessarily a failing of the authors, as there is little
published on the subject). Nevertheless, it is an important book and one that
will repay the hours spent with it.
Equipment:Colour printer, fax and scanner
Enquiries:Xerox
(UK) Ltd on 0800 454 197. Callers outside the UK should telephone + 44 1628
890000; website: www.xerox-emea.com/xcg
Price:
£250 ex. VAT
Reviewer: Mr David L Shaw FRCS(Orth),
Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon
Month reviewed: August 1999 (to be
reviewed again in subsequent months)
The large box in which the Workcentre arrived, belied the compact design of
this device which combines a colour printer with a fax and scanner. Infact the
footprint was much the same as a standard monochrome printer. Assembly was aided
by a helpful brief 'getting started' card recognising the fact that with even
the most limited knowledge of computer hardware, most purchasers resolutely
refuse to read the handbook before starting to assemble and use a new 'toy'.
Connection and setup connection was simplicity itself and once powered up
without additional adjustments, the fax was ready to use. Setup runs from a CD
supplied with the printer. Unfortunately, this expected the install program to
be in a directory which did not exist. After it was pointed in the right
direction, however, setup ran without a hitch.
Initial running: Print quality for word processed documents was high and
colour printing of mixed documents, such as web pages, accurate and relatively
fast even on low quality paper. The fax component is fully featured with the
ability to send multiple faxes and schedule faxes for later delivery. The
scanner feature is a useful addition but will only handle black & white
which makes it most useful for text documents. Additional functions are provided
by the excellent Pagis and Textpro OCR and scanner software.
Summary: This is a superbly designed, fully featured but compact
device. It would easily replace the printer and fax found on most office desks
at home or in the clinical environment. It is compact and easy to install and
the bundled character recognition software allows full use to be made of the
monochrome scanner facility.
Go to top
Specifications
Plain paper fax
Fax operation: plain paper, dual access
Fax transmission speed: 7
seconds per page
Fax memory: Up to 23 pages (based on ITU Doc#1. Actual
memory may vary. Product specifications and/or availability subject to change
without notice)
One-touch dialling: 94 speed dials and 5 group dials
Broadcast
fax: Ad-hoc and pre-programmed groups
Productivity and convenience:
Telephone answering device port with auto fax/phone switch; automatic reduction
of legal to letter/A4; fast scan to memory (6 ppm); delayed transmission
Security
reports: Confidential report with reduced image of first page, options report,
speed dial directory report
Fax resolution: 300x300 dpi superfine, 204x196
fine; 204x98 std
Halftones: 64 levels
Modem speed: 14.4 Kbps
Compatibility
correction mode: ITU/CCITT Group 3, ECM
Data compression: MMR, MH, MR
PC Fax
Fax modem: 14.4 Kbps, Class 2,
compatible with Windows 3.1/3.11 and Windows 95
Printer
Type: Colour inket
Print
speed: Up to 7 pages per minute (ppm) with optional high capacity black
cartridge; colour print head (included) up to 2.5 ppm in colour, up to 5 ppm
black
Resolution: Colour 600x600/ 1200-600 on photogloss paper
Technology:
Xerox inket
Compatibility: Windows 3.1/3.11 and Windows 95/98 and DOS
Emulation:
PCL 3C
Fonts: Univers, CG Times, Courier
Inket cartridges: Colour
cartridge: 4 individual colour ink tnks; high capacity black cartridge optional
Copier
Copies:
Up to 99 copies of multiple page originals
Collation: User selectable
Reduction
and enlargement: 75-150% (50-400% with Pagis Pro)
Copy speed: 300x300 dpi
Scanner
Scanner
speed: 10 seconds per page
Scanner resolution: 300x300 dpi black & white
Scanning
application compatibility: TWAIN compatible for scanning to Windows applications
Software
included
Optical character recognition: Xerox Textbridge Pro Edition
(Win 3.1/3.11)
Document management: Pagis Pro which includes TextBridge Pro
(Win 95/98)
PC Fax: Symantec WinFax LITE 4.0 (Win 3.1/3.11)
WorkCentre
Software: Xerox ControlCentreTM
Common
features
Automatic document feeder: 20 pages, letter/legal/A4; 80 g/m2
Paper capacity: 150 sheets letter/legal/A4; 80
g/m; transparencies, labels, fabric transfer, 10 envelopes, etc
Paper output
tray: 20 page original document catch tray
General
Power:
110/240 VAC, 50/60 Hz, auto sensing
Power consumption: Standby: 14W; scan
and print: 45W
Size and weight: Height: 305 mm; width: 419 mm; depth: 444
mm; weight: 8.4 kgs
Environment: Temperature range:10oC to 32oC;
humidity range 20% to 80%
System requirements for PC connection
Personal
computer: IBM compatible 486 processor or higher is recommended
Operating
system: Win 3.1/3.11, Win 95/98, or Win NT4.0 (available post launch)
Pagis
Pro: Win 95/98/NT4.0
PC memory: 8 MB RAM
TextBridge Pro Memory: 8 MB
RAM, 8 MB Virtual
Pagis Pro Memory: 16 MB RAM, 20 MB Virtual
Cable, IEEE
1284: Included
Format:Website
Website:http://www.doctors.net.uk
Reviewer:
Dr Harry Brown, General Practitioner, Leeds
Month reviewed: August
1999
There are numerous web sites which are directed towards purely doctors, but one worth looking at is at http://www.doctors.net.uk. With the .uk address we know it is designed for the British audience but just to make sure that the target audience is highly focused, you can only gain entry if you have a GMC registration number. The registration process is not too difficult but obviously the user has to remember their user name and password. Once entry is gained, navigation is easy and all the usual services you would expect to find are here. For example there is a news service, search facilities, forums and a library. The latter deserves special praise; there are two excellent services here which is not generally available on the net. They are access to the full Cochrane database and the Travax (a travel) database. Access to these gems alone justify registering to join this on line medical community. .Go to top