Product Description
Over the last twenty-five years, medicine and consumerism have been on an unchecked collision course, but, until now, the fallout from their impact has yet to be fully uncovered. A writer for The New Yorker and The Atlantic Monthly, Carl Elliott ventures into the uncharted dark side of medicine, shining a light on the series of social and legislative changes that have sacrificed old-style doctoring to the values of consumer capitalism. Along the way, he introduces us to the often shifty characters who work the production line in Big Pharma: from the professional guinea pigs who test-pilot new drugs and the ghostwriters who pen “scientific” articles for drug manufacturers to the PR specialists who manufacture “news” bulletins. We meet the drug reps who will do practically anything to make quota in an ever-expanding arms race of pharmaceutical gift-giving; the “thought leaders” who travel the world to enlighten the medical community about the wonders of the latest release; even, finally, the ethicists who oversee all that commercialized medicine has to offer from their pharma-funded perches.
 
Taking the pulse of the medical community today, Elliott discovers the culture of deception that has become so institutionalized many people do not even see it as a problem. Head-turning stories and a rogue’s gallery of colorful characters become his springboard for exploring larger ethical issues surrounding money. Are there certain things that should not be bought and sold? In what ways do the ethics of business clash with the ethics of medical care? And what is wrong with medical consumerism anyway? Elliott asks all these questions and more as he examines the underbelly of medicine. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

when is an ethicist ethical?
There was some careful product placement here and misleading advertising. Carl Elliott's articles in the New Yorker describe lurid medical misconduct. The doctors in this book are only evil enough to allow themselves to be swayed in their prescribing by gifts of pens and coffee mugs.
It's not a textbook of medical ethics. There's nothing about Kant's categorical imperatives or the Golden Rule or dropping bombs on Nazi German cities. In the opening chapter he describes an interesting and classical quandary. Two drugs are known to be effective for a disease. It would help us to know which is best. The victims of the disease are mentally ill, or are children in Africa.Solving a problem like this demands a lot of careful logic and fancy statistics (calculations of power requirements, number-needed to-treat, optional stopping etc). Elliott gives us none of this but gives a highly colored anecdotal account of the people involved (the American ones anyway). He writes as a journalist rather than as a philosopher and flogs some rather dead horses in order to produce readable anecdotes
His accounts of doctors being influenced by free meals and rides in fancy limousines rather bemused me. Most of those I know can afford their own food and cars, and make more money from a day in the office or O.R. than from giving an out-of-town lecture.
It's partly about medical ethicists, who apparently live in their own circles and get free meals and rides in fancy limousines and are corrupted by pens and coffee mugs. Is seems the only way for an ethicist to stay incorruptible is to have a private income held in a blind trust.
That all sounds rather negative, but this is an intersting and well-written book that I enjoyed reading and learned a lot from.

great book-must read for every patient
I have mnay family menbers who were doctors or are doctors now and have worked in chemical/pharma industry. This book shows how money and the pharma indusrty is no better than and maybe even worse than others than promoting their new products .
Due to long product cyles and billions of reserach dollars,drug companies must
devolp what I call the "home run" drugs , i.e. drugs will sell billions of dollars and not the drugs needed by a few million - it just deos not pay just sell few million, the drug must sell billions. To accomplish this, doctors must be convinced or bribed by free travel , classes or just put on the payroll.

Superb portrait of Modern Medicine
As a person who has written about the pharmaceutical industry for years, been a pharmaceutical executive and both a critic and supporter of the industry, I highly recommend this book for its unique perspective on the practice of medicine, the drug business, and the many people (both good and bad) involved.Dr. Carl Elliott has done an excellent job of using his own background in medicine (his father was a physician), his research in philosophy and his own perspective as an MD and professor of bio-ethics, to give a very balanced overview of the many problems besieging the modern pharmaceutical industry. Please don't let all these credentials make you believe this is yet another pedantic study of medicine.The writing is superb and compelling, the stories both often funny, sad and touching and the narrative clear and straight forward.Best of all, while the book maintains a high level of scholarship, it never loses its human touch.As an example of why anyone who has taken a drug should read this book, is Dr. Elliott's examination of the types of facilities and the kinds of people on whom drugs are frequently tested.(It is shocking, but true that drugs released to millions of people are often tested on a limited number of people who are not at all representative of the population as a whole.)Dr. Elliott also does a superb job of helping the reader navigate through what has become a vast, medical-industrial complex: including government regulators, universities, physician groups, medical journals and "continuing medical education" that is sponsored by drug companies.The reader will ask after reading this book just what the difference between marketing and science really is?As someone who has worked in the industry, I found it refreshing that this book does not take "cheap shots," but portrays the many ambiguities involved in medical decision making.(Elliott gives several hilarious but true portraits of drug reps who have an uncanny ability to make themselves likable even when they are peddling snake oil.) There is also a tragic portrait of a mother whose son dies in a botched drug trial, for which no one takes responsibility. The book paints full portraits of the "high and mighty" involved in medicine and makes human even some people who have committed some of the worst conceivable breaches of ethics.In sum, well written, easily understood, amusing and appalling -- and very finely researched.

Biased, Not as Good as Existing Books -
Author Elliott reports that the culture of deception within the medical community has become pervasive - driven by profit-maximizing drug companies. He buttresses that conclusion with innumerable vignettes of how they have withheld negative outcomes information about their products, while creating slanted supportive reports in ghost-written medical journal articles, CME presentations, and various forums for both physicians and the public. Supportive physicians are likely to find themselves basking in the sun on a drug-company vacation. Meanwhile, the ranks of drug reps have ballooned to one for every 2.5 physicians - handing out lots of free lunches and small gifts, promoting high-volume 'off-label' uses in sly ways that don't create FDA punishment (the temptation to avoid replicating development costs is enormous), and analyzing 'script-tracking' data from pharmacies to identify the most profitable physician 'high-writers.' Little of this is news, and most all of it is better told in Marcia Angell's "The Truth About Drug Companies," and John Abramson's "Overdosed America."

The one 'surprise' in "White Coat, Black Hat" was learning how much is charged for scientific journals as a result of their having a stranglehold on university libraries. Annual subscriptions can run $20-30,000; these high rates restrict access to important research, most of which was funded by public money, contributed free by authors, and also peer-reviewed without charge as well.

The author also bemoans the loss of much clinical trial 'business' from academic medical centers to for-profit entities. However, I can easily understand why - as an underling at an academic medical center I was amazed by the lead physician's belief that the center's economic existence was justified by the key role it played in research, while doing nothing to make the activity less costly or faster. While reading "White Coat, Black Hat" I sometimes also got the feeling that Elliott's attitude was similar.

Now An estimated $15 billion in government funding from China will be available over the next 5 years for drug development (Biotech in China, 2/2010). Examples of why firms are moving to China include the following:

Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (India) can conduct preclinical trials for 40-60% less than in the U.S., while Aurigene (India) can conduct chemistry work for a quarter of the cost. Eli Lilly contractor with ShanghaiBIo to collect 100 samples of specific human tissue samples in three weeks after it was unable to do so in the U.S. Tissue collection can cost as much as $2,000/sample in the U.S., vs. $300 in China. Chinese employees with PhDs from top universities can be hired for about $15,000/year. Regulatory approval in Korea for a clinical trial can be obtained within 30 working days. An estimated 87% of trials in the U.S. are behind in recruitment and enrollment, taking 3-6 months from approval to enrollment of the first patient.

Massive economic change will occur - as of May 2008, NIH identified more than 56,000 clinical trials worldwide, including 32,410 in the U.S., but only 750 in China and 670 in India. Preclinical testing monitors the effects of the drug when assimilated into a biological system, and is performed on animals and through laboratory tests. Phase 0 Clinical Trials are an optional first round of test on human subjects and involve delivery of very small drug quantities - designed to eliminate poorly performing drugs early. Phase I Trials are generally conducted on a small body of healthy volunteers to test a drug candidates safety. Phase II Trials assess drug functionality and are conducted on larger groups to determine dosage. Phase II are the most costly and time-intensive. They involve groups of hundreds or thousands of volunteers, and usually compare results with standard treatments. Phase IV trials track for long-term safety effects after a drug has been approved for commercial sale.

Clearance of an experimental drug in the U.S. normally takes 3-6 months. In many cases the entire process for new cancer drugs takes about 12 years and costs around $1.3 billion. (On the other hand, one must not forget disasters like Fen Phen, Vioxx, and Thalidomide.)

Bottom-Line: Drug company dishonesty is a serious problem; so are costs and bureaucratic delays for new drug development. Again, however, I recommend Angell's and Abramson's works instead.

Straight talk about real life ethics
I was in medical school in the 60s and saw pharmaceutical research expand and devolve from an NIH--academic project to a business run by large drug companies for profit.This whole idea that a public service should be treated like a commodity is new and not without ethical problems, especially for physicians and those who look to physicians for advice.
Dr. Elliott is a well-known psychiatrist/bioethicist who writes in a conversational tone of the difficult, shocking dilemmas we all face when buying or evaluatingmedications.He has 7 chapters covering drug reps, clinical drug research, me-too drug development, FDA evaluations, and the ethical challenges even bioethicists face when asked to consult for industry.Nothing new here, but wonderfully and accurately portrayed without hysteria. ... Read more

Product Description

Use the power of nature to heal your body and enjoy a lifetime of good health

Customer Reviews (6)

Best Book out there for Women
As a medical professional myself, I must say that this has to be the most well written book,written by someone who knows, another woman. The book is full of easy to read information including sound advice that is backed up by Research, which is very important in my career. When I came across it I could not put it down, after 3 hours while still in the store I finally purchased it and could not wait to get home to continue soaking in all the wonderful information that Dr Hudson had to share. I will definitely be recommending this to my other colleagues and my personal friends. Actually a great idea. What better way to let that person know you REALLY care.

A godsent book!
I came across this book while trying to find alternative remedies for my sister's recurrent UTIs.
It is very well written with clear instructions regarding the dosage plan for each topic.
I'm glad to say that my sister didn't take antibiotics after all.
Loads of helpful info nicely presented. Even my mom is convinced to try the menopause plan for her! (And she has refused to do so since the beginning).
Thank you Mrs Hudson for an excellent book for women who want to give the naturopathic approach a try.

Woman's Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine
Excellent resource for alternative woman's health. Well written and easy to read and understand. Very practical and useful information. I am using as a health care resource, but would recommend to anyone interested in natural health.

Excellent resource for NDs
From what I have read this is going to be a great resource for women's health issues when I am in practice or even just during internship. I would recommend having it for reference.

A Comprehensive Guide to Natural Remedies for Women
After years of experiencing excruciating periods, I was diagnosed with endometriosis.I have been searching for months to find natural alternatives to hormone therapy and another laparascopy.I found it in this book.It contains more information on endometriosis than any other resource I have looked through.It also provides thorough dietary suggestions and nutritional supplements.It offers an alternative to the more extreme therapies.

While I was looking to this book for a specific condition, it also contains a wealth of information on the various ailments that women suffer from, as well as suggestions for women's overall health.

I highly reccommend it to anyone looking to feel better, naturally. ... Read more

Product Description
Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine, by James R. Roberts, MD & Jerris R. Hedges, MD, MS, is far and away the most well-known and trusted procedures manual in emergency medicine. Completely updated with the latest equipment, devices, drug therapies, and techniques, this 5th edition enables you to make optimal use of today's best options. A new full-color format makes the book easier to consult than ever before, and online access at expertconsult.com lets you rapidly reference the complete contents from any computer. Online and in print, you'll see exactly how and when to perform every type of emergency procedure, so you can choose and implement the best possible approach for every patient!

• Provides over 1,700 detailed illustrations, 1,350 in full color, allowing you to visualize procedures clearly so you can perform them correctly.
  
• Explains not only how to perform each rocedure but also why, when, and what other procedures you should consider.

Customer Reviews (7)

One of the most important texts in your office
I am an attending physician in Emergency Medicine, and through residency and even today, I have used this reference more than any other.It is a must have for anyone in the field.It would be extremely helpful for anyone in primary care as well

A great resource for learning procedures
This is an excellent book.As an ER resident, I have found this book to be invaluable in helping me to understand the procedures that I am trying to learn.This text also does more than just explain how to do the procedures; it also gives plenty of background on the underlying disease processes, the indications for the procedure, etc.
I would also mention that, even though this text is geared toward ER...I think any physician who performs a wide variety of procedures from suturing to intubating to IV access to chest tubes may find this book to be quite useful.Would definitely recommend this book and refer to it quite often myself.

Not only for the ED
I've purchased every edition of this invaluable resource.I do work in a busy, high-acuity ED, but also consider this if you're a family doc in a rural area where you might be called upon to perform a life saving procedure that you haven't seen since residency. Now if they'd just publish a pocket PC edition.......

Complete but somewhat dated
As an ER PA I find this large text full of many procedures useful in emergency medicine. However, by todays standards the B&W pictures and drawings are very dated. An alternative worth considering; with better pictures and detailed descriptions would be: Emergency Medicine Procedures by Eric Reichman and Robert Simon.

An amazing reference guide.
This book lays out everything you need to know in a concise, easy to follow format.If only it wasnt so friggin gigantic. So whether you need to run to the office to brush up on a procedure you havent attempted since your second year of residency or you need something heavy to bash the hell out of a Ganglion cyst (please dont actually do that), this is a great tool. ... Read more

Product Description
In this, the ninth edition of Mayo Clinic Internal Medicine Board Review, the chapters were extensively revised and expanded to include new treatment guidelines, recent advances in the science of medicine, and evidence-based recommendations.The book includes many features that facilitate retention of the vast amount of knowledge imparted, including bullet points, more than 450 questions and their answers that simulate those used on the American Board of Internal Medicine examinations, and pharmacy reviews that reflect current information about the medications in each subspecialty. The editor and associate editors added their depth of experience to make this the finest edition of the book in its long history.The book is a must-have for anyone preparing for board certification or recertification and is a valuable resource for physicians who are in training and practicing clinicians. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Bravo Mayo Clinic Internal Medicine Board Review!
|TITLE| Mayo Clinic Internal Medicine Board Review: Ninth Edition 2010
|EDITOR-in-Chief| Amit K. Ghosh, M.D., F.A.C.P
|REVIEWER| Josh Grossman, Colonel {r}, U.S. Army Medical Corps, M.D., F.A.C.P
· Reviewer e-mail {drjosh@embarqmail.com} {Doctor Josh: All patients, colleagues, ACLS students, editors know him as Doctor Josh-- welcomes e-mails from candidates for U.S.M.L.E. III and from candidates for certification by our American Board of Internal Medicine}
|BOOK TYPE| Soft Cover
|BOOK PAGES| 994
|ISBN| 13-978-019-975569-1
|BOOK PUBLISHERS|
· Mayo Clinic Scientific Press
· Oxford University Press
|BOOK WEIGHT| 7 and 7/8th pounds
|Copyright Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research| 2010
"Bulleted points allow easy access to key points"
Rochester Minnesota Mayo Clinic Professor-and Chair of Medicine Morie A. Gertz M.D., M.A.C.P

I can and I do recommend this text to my/our student-candidates for both our United States Medical Licensure Examination Step Three {U.S.M.L.E. III} and my/our student-candidates for our both Certification and Re-Certification by our American Board of Internal Medicine {A.B.I.M.}
With humility, new to me, although I serve as a Diplomate of our American Board of Internal Medicine and as an Advanced Cardiac Life Support {A.C.L.S.} Instructor included the following:
· That the maximum incubation period for rabies may well be seven {7} years.
· That there may well be as many as 385,000 needle sticks annually in our healthcare workers
· That ¾ {75%} of women with Ovarian Cancer may well present with advanced disease
· That a 35-year-old Assistant District Attorney {A.D.A.} with her painful sore throat, stridor, difficulty swallowing without any visible pharyngeal exudates may well reasonably need immediate emergent in-hospital, in-patient laryngoscopy to confirm her diagnosis of her acute Adult Epiglottitis {Adult Croup}
Further, our candidates for certification by our American Board of Addiction Medicine and our American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology may well be enlightened {as I humbly was enlightened) to learn that a 35-year-old Associate Professor of Dental/Oral Surgery {husband/father/community leader} presenting with his megaloblastic macrocytic B12 Deficiency Anemia associated with his Spinal Cord abnormalities {combined system disease} all due to his purposefully and deliberately {albeit surreptitiously} inhaling his own office Nitrous Oxide (N2O "Laughing Gas") that rapidly destroys his Vitamin B12 {cyanocobalamine} making it reasonably impractical and probably well nigh impossible for him to hold his surgical instruments; such that he can not longer reasonably perform his job of performing his Dental/Oral Surgical Procedures!
-------------Sir William Osler (1849 - 1919} endorsed, "Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful."Might we inquire, "How without our Mayo Medical Internal Medicine Review 9th Edition: 2010 will we be truly, humbly, dedicated lifelong students of our Art-and-Science of our Clinical Practice-of-Medicine?"
-----Bravo Mayo Clinic Internal Medicine Board Review 9th Edition 2010.

Current and complete, but hard to read!
in my opinion the problem with this review is not its content (which is very good actually), but its textbook-like structure. also, what I really hate in "Mayo Review" are redundant "summaries" after almost every paragraph (NOT chapter!) which actually aren't summaries at all but just shortened repetitions of each paragraph's content. I guess these "summaries" are making almost 1/4 of the book - a complete waste of the paper. well, they may be useful for someone with a serious short-term memory problem but reading the same thing twice again and again almost drove me crazy, so I relinquished my attempts to do so and was reading only the main text; the main text is presented as an up-to-date evidence-based information essential for IM boards but it's difficult to read. I prefer review books in an outline format, when every sentence begins with a new line - like in "First aid for Internal Medicine Boards" and "Johns Hopkins Internal Medicine Board Review" - they are easier to read, but not as complete and in depth as "Mayo Review". so, for the next edition my suggestion for the editor is to remove those "summaries", which are in the bullet points and to transform the main text to this format instead (i.e. to begin every sentence with a new line).
this book may also be used for the USMLE step 2 CK / step 3 if you aim at high score; you can use it instead of - Mayo Clinic Internal Medicine Concise Textbook - this "textbook"is almost verbatim reprint of the 7th edition (2006) of "Mayo Review", just without MCQs (I wonder why they think you don't need them for the USMLE step 2 CK / step 3) and already a little bit outdated for now. ... Read more

Product Description

Real life cases for the emergency medicine clerkship and shelf-exam

You need exposure to high-yield cases to excel on the emergency medicine clerkship and the shelf-exam. Case Files: Emergency Medicine presents 50 real-life cases that illustrate essential concepts in emergency medicine. Each case includes a complete discussion, clinical pearls, references, definitions of key terms, and USMLE-style review questions. With this system, you'll learn in the context of real patients, rather then merely memorize facts.

Customer Reviews (2)

Perfect Book
Perfect book.Clinical vignette with explanations of correct answer and why the other choices are wrong.There are also review questions for each topic.Highly recommend.This is just about all I used during clinicals.

Your guide to doing well on rotation
This book covers the essentials of the all the bread-and-butter emergency medicine cases in a manner perfect for easy learning.Don't waste time with other books, this book has everything a medical student could want for his/her rotation.Cases are short enough to read a few per night and are full of all the information to understand how to approach, work-up, and manage a EM patient.Almost invariably, I would be pimped on the exact information that was covered in the cases.The patients I saw were virtually identical to those in the cases.This series is wonderful for the medical student, especially the 3rd year.

... Read more

Product Description
Sports Medicine Essentials: Core Concepts in Athletic Training, Second Edition introduces students to potential careers in the Sports Medicine field, from Fitness Instructor to Athletic Trainer.This comprehensive text surveys a broad scope of knowledge related to the Sports Medicine field, encompassing fitness assessment, conditioning, emergency preparedness, injury management, therapeutic modalities, nutrition, ethical and legal considerations and much more. To help introduce students to an array of exciting careers, it features enrichment activities that include researching the cost of sports medicine supplies, demonstrate taping techniques, and the forming of a safety committee to devise a plan to minimize risk to a team, athletes or clients.This complete resource is a fantastic introduction for any program. ... Read more

Product Description

Did you know that blueberries can increase brain longevity? That kiwi fruit can be an excellent weapon for battling cancer and heart disease? That pears can help prevent fibroid tumors?

From Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa, the bestselling author of Meditation as Medicine, comes a remarkable book that helps you achieve maximum health by eating well. Grounded in science, Food as Medicine is a pragmatic and accessible reference that sets readers on the right nutritional path. Dr. Khalsa then explains how to use natural organic juices and foods as medicine, and how food can help reverse the progress or diminish the symptoms of certain diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Hepatitis C.

Drawing on patient case histories, Food as Medicine outlines the seven principles of "The Khalsa Plan" for healthy eating, details ailment-specific nutritional plans, and lays out dozens of delicious recipes that promote overall well-being. After all, food is not only the original medicine -- it's the best medicine. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Enlightening and Educational
This book has significantly expanded my understanding of food and nutrition.Right away I was able to try out new, delicious recipes using new foods and food combinations from around the world: mung beans, Italian-style carrot salad, seaweed.I can honestly say that this book has enriched my life by teaching me how to prepare foods that make you feel GOOD after you eat them.I've also gained a greater awareness of the negatives in our food chain:pesticides, genetic manipulation -- things I'd heard of but never really understood before.The author, with his background as both a medical doctor and as a yoga nutritionist and Seik, presents a wealth of information with great clarity and a kind voice.

Food as Medicine
This book was ordered for a friend at her request. I don't know what she thought of the book, other than she wanted it.

Changed my way of eatng!
I love this book and have been recommending it to everyone I know.I thought I ate pretty healthy before I read this book but I learned of so many ways that I can help my family eat even better.Upon completing this book, I bought a juicer and I have been juicing everyday and I feel better than I have felt in years.I love how the author breaks down information into specific chapters for common illnesses and offers explicit instructions for diet, herbs, juices and supplements. The other thing that is great about this book is that the author does not make you feel as though good nutrition is an all or nothing choice.The information is presented in a way that you feel as though any small change you can incorporate is a step in the right direction because let's face it....we all cannot eat perfectly all the time.

3G Reivews
I like this book it not only has facts and nurition info yet receipes to help out unlike the other food as medicine.

Food As Medicine
Once again an Amazon.com bookseller has done an excellent job of providing a great service.Great condition books at great prices and shipped rapidly.Thank You!Keep up the good work. ... Read more

Product Description

Visit www.atlasoffamilymedicine.com for sample chapters, images, the full table of contents, and more!

From a JAMA Review
"This book was a genuine treat to review. The more than 1000 pages are chock full of figures and photographs illustrating virtually every illness seen by a family physician or other specialist. But this book, edited by 4 family physicians and an obstetrician-gynecologist, is much more than simply a pictorial atlas. Various chapters are written by family physicians as well as specialists.
"The Color Atlas of Family Medicine is a comprehensive visual guide to daily patient care. It will be valuable to medical students, residents, and all practicing physicians. I recommend that it be included in the library of every family medicine residency program. It is an excellent reference and it will be enjoyed by anyone who reads the patient stories or anyone who just wants to look at the figures and photographs. I think this book is a classic example of why the Internet will try but never take the place of a well-written hardbound textbook."
--JAMA

5 STAR DOODY'S REVIEW!
"This is what a modern textbook should be. It is concise yet comprehensive in the breadth of topics and, as the title suggests, robust with color photographs of extraordinarily good quality.
"The editors state clearly in the preface that family physicians see a wide variety of conditions that lend themselves to an atlas such as this, and they support the pictures with evidence-based information, which makes this book so worthwhile and valuable. The editors and contributors balance the images and text, in an extremely useful way.
"Although the title puts the focus on family physicians, the book clearly is a tremendous resource for all, including internal medicine practitioners, students, and those in every specialty who may only rarely encounter some of these conditions. The list of contributors is extensive and well balanced, bringing together experts from all specialties of medicine.
"By far, this is one of the best, most useful textbooks I have seen in a very long time. It is a must for the library of every primary care physician."
-- Doody's Review Service

1500 superb clinical photographs covering the full scope of family medicine

The Color Atlas of Family Medicine features 1500 full-color photographs depicting both common and uncommon appearances of diseases and presentations that clinicians encounter every day. No other resource offers such a comprehensive collection of these diagnosis-speeding images as this essential atlas.

Product Description

The internal medicine clerkship survival guide, from the publishers of First Aid for the USMLE Step 1

Written by students who excelled on their clerkship

Customer Reviews (1)

First Aid is First
It's a great book to review important concepts during your clinical clerkship. I was using the older edition before I got this. This book is a must-have. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (33)

Valuable Information
Accessibly written and insightfully explained, this book will open your eyes to the hows and whys of our current flawed medical establishment. Respectful of doctors, legislators and others who mean well and have tried repeatedly to make improvements, the author nonetheless demonstrates clearly where the misinformation and mismanagement spring from, what exactly they lead to, and how we can really fix the problems we face. Highly recommended reading for everyone - we've all got a stake in this mess and it will take all of us to fix it. The information in this book provides an excellent place to start trying!

An excellent diagnosis of our health care system
The U.S. has the most expensive health care system.However, 20,000 per year die from inadequate access to medical care.Another 100,000 die from medical errors and tens of thousands die from overtreatment.Additionally, 700,000 file for bankruptcy annually because of medical bills.

Brownlee states that both our very high health care costs and dangerous health outcomes are due to unrestrained overtreatment. The latter is due to a for profit health care system that compensates the provider for the quantity and intensity of treatment instead of the quality of care.Those distorted economic incentives are compounded by defensive medicine to prevent malpractice suits.Much of medicine is supply driven.If you have more specialists in one region, you will have more unnecessary procedures done by such specialists.

The list of unnecessary, expensive and dangerous treatments delivered by specialists is long.It includes back and knee surgeries.Also, the vast majority of catheretizations, angioplasty, and stents are applied to patients it won't help.Yet, catheterization and stents result in a median income for cardiologists of more than $450,000.Bypass surgeries assists only 3% of the patients (the ones with a restricted left valve).Meanwhile, it is associated with a 1% to 2% mortality rate, and 45% suffering from cognitive deficits such as memory loss and depression.The PSA test leads to prostatectomy to treat prostate cancer.But, such treatments have had no impact on men's mortality rate.But, they have terrible impact on their quality of life.Frequent side effects include impotence, incontinence and depression.High-dose chemotherapy to treat breast cancer was a tragic mistake.9,000 women died from it and not cancer before this treatment was reconsidered.Yet, the bill for high-dose chemotherapy ranged from $150,000 to $500,000.

The rate of misdiagnosis has remained at 25% to 40% since 1910 despite technological advances such as MRIs and CT scanning.Doctors often order useless imaging due to patient demand and malpractice suits.Also, imaging tests are very profitable.Doctors who "self refer" sending patients for tests at facilities where they have a financial interest refer a lot more than doctors who refer to unaffiliated clinics.

Our health care system lacks much integer scientific evidence as 80% of clinical research isindustry sponsored.The majority of treatments effectiveness are not tested.So, no one knows what truly works.

Chapter 1 is about John Wennberg, the founder of the Dartmouth Atlas of Healthcare, who uncovered huge regional differences in health care costs.In 1996, the average Medicare beneficiary cost Medicare $8,414 in Miami vs only $3,341 in Minneapolis.Yet, the health outcome between the two cities were not different.The main difference between the two was the level of overtreatment.Regions with fewer specialists and more primary care physicians have better health outcome and cost effective care. Back surgeries and arthroscopic knee surgeries both highly ineffective were performed up to 5 times more frequently in some areas vs others even after controlling for patients' health and income.

Chapter 2 is about Elliot Fisher, a colleague of John Wennberg, who demonstrated that overtreatment was dangerous.Higher care translates into higher mortality rates!Fisher discovered that patient who went to hospitals that spent the most and did the most were 2% to 6% more likely to die than patients who went to hospitals who spent the least.That's after controlling for patient health, region CPI, and income.Fisher estimated that at least 30,000 elderly Americans were killed per year by too much medicine.Wennberg and Fisher confirmed that a third of medical expenses are wasted.In 2006, this amounted to $700 billion out of $2 trillion.

In Chapter 10 Brownlee makes suggestions regarding improving our health care system.She states we already have a few health care suppliers that provide superior care at an affordable cost.Those include the Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, and the Veteran Health Administration (VHA) where doctors are salaried employees with no volume incentives. Those entities provide well coordinated patient focused health services.The VHA has an excellentelectronic system called VistA.The latter allowed the VHA to cut down medical errors, reduce overtreatment, test what works, and measure care performance.In those areas the VHA is decades ahead of the private sector.

Brownlee recommends that clinical trials be undertaken by the Government through the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) that is designed to do the job.But, its funding needs to be increased.And, it needs political protection from medical special interests that constantly lobby to shut this agency down.AHCPR could provide the scientific evidence to differentiate the medical treatments that work from the ones that don't.

Brownlee also suggests we need tort reform to reign in malpractice suits that lead to defensive medicine and dangerous and costly overtreatment.

Lastly, she indicates the American Medical Association (AMA) has to change its mindset.The AMA perceives there is a shortage of specialists.Instead, most health economists think there is a surplus of specialists and a shortage of generalists.Remember the higher the proportion of primary physicians relative to specialists the better the quality of care.John Wennberg has found this to be true for decades.

This is an excellent book on the topic.If you are interested in this subject, I also strongly recommend:The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care, Worried Sick: A Prescription for Health in an Overtreated America (H. Eugene and Lillian Youngs Lehman), and Last Well Person: How to Stay Well Despite the Health-care System.

Understand where our health care systems went wrong.
Eye opener.How for profit systems create confusion, deception in order to get power and money.We as a society must change and take charge of our health and demand honest research and practices.Big business is selling us illness or the fear of it for a very big price.Sadly we are sicker for it.
Very well written with lots of examples and great explanations.

Overtreated
Overrated is well written and filled with both the history and current statistics;that demonstrate much of the medical problems that we have today.It demonstrates how and why the medical machine has chosen the directions that it has found it self in today.It does not offer significant solutions but was a very good read.

Extremely biased
Rather than an objective analysis of the ills of the current medical climate this tome is an obviously biased plea for universal healthcare.The writers prejudices are blatant in the introduction and the manipulation of statistics to back those prejudices taints the book. What I find most disturbing is the author's inability to understand that the ills she speaks of are a direct result of the disconnect between consumer and direct cost.The solution is to re-establish the relationship of treatment to cost in the mind of the consumer.The current system suffers from the "tragedy of the commons" --when people do not perceive something as costing them anything, they have no incentive to use it wisely or frugally.

With so many statements I know to be misleading and outright misused, although I agree with the premise that Americans are overtreated, I cannot rely on anything in this book because of the intellectual dishonesty of the author and her refusal to see the obvious solution which she dismisses in the intro.

Give it a pass, ... Read more

Product Description
Faster reference...better practice! If you aren't already getting your medical information from Cecil Medicine, it's time for you to start. The 23rd Edition is quite simply the fastest and best place to find all of the clinical answers you need! Both inside the remarkably user-friendly printed version of this Expert Consult title and on its fully searchable web site, you'll find definitive, unbiased, evidence-based guidance on the evaluation and management of every medical condition-from a veritable "who's who" of preeminent leaders in the field.

• A new chapter format makes clinically actionable information leap right off the page-including algorithms to simplify decision making.
  
• Access to the complete contents of this Expert Consult title online, fully searchable, permits rapid consultation from anyplace with an Internet connection.
  
• A wealth of brand-new chapters and comprehensive updates throughout put the latest knowledge and evidence-based practices at your fingertips.

Customer Reviews (25)

Great information -
These books have a series of articles about various medical topics. While I found it very informative, it is written for med students but it is not difficult to understand.

CECIL MEDICINE IS STILL THE STANDARD
THIS IS A STANDARD MEDICAL TEXT.IT IS DESIGNED FOR THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL OR MEDICAL STUDENT.IF YOU WANT THE ANSWER TO A MEDICAL QUESTION IT IS PROBABLY HERE.IF YOU ARE NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSINAL (MD), AND WANT ANSWERS, TRY THE "HOME EDITION OF THE MERCK MANUAL".FOR A MEDICAL MANUAL (MORE COMPLEX THAT HOME EDITIONS, BUT NOT A FULL BLOWN MEDICAL TEXT BOOK), TRY THE MERCK MANUALIT HAS BEEN A STANDARD TO 100+ YEARS.

Must have for Reference
This is a great book.I've used Harrison's as a required book for my school, but it is not as organized and thorough as Cecil Medicine.Cecil is gives you a clear-cut thorough anatomy, and pathophysiology, along with up-to-date treatment and interventions for each disease discussed. The set up is not like a boring medical textbook.Reading this book sparks my interest to know more about the disease I am learning.It is a heavy book, but worth it! Even the MD that was precepting me for Internal Med. highly recommended this book.

Great book for medschool students
Hi.... i really recommend this book for all the medschool students, it explains each disease in a very easy way to understand and learn about it, also the way it is structered helps to have a logical sequence of the disease (intro, epidemiology, physiopatology, etc).

An excellent tool when becoming a Dr.

Oh!!!Do I have to?
I've used this textbook since the early 1970s.This newest edition is just fine. ... Read more

Product Description

A Complete Review of Every Internal Medicine Topic Included on the ABIM Exam -- written by physicians who passed!

5 STAR DOODY'S REVIEW!
"I wish I had this book when I was studying for my boards.It is well worth the price for both study for the boards and for a quick reference." -- Doody's Review Service

• Insider tips for outstanding performance from residents who've been there
• Complete coverage of every must-know topic in one quick-study resource
• Quick, frequently-tested, high-yield facts based on the most recently administered in-service and board exams
• Board-proven mnemonics and clinical pearls
• NEW 20-page full-color insert of clinical images you must know at exam time
• 55 NEW images and 100 NEW pages of high-yield facts
• Great for recertification
• Perfect for last-minute review

Customer Reviews (12)

Good IM book
This book is very good in terms of its simplicity and very well summarized contents

good book
Concise review with good enough details. Easy to read with well laid out design and print.

What are you using it for
great book, just depends on what are you using it for,my specialty is not internal medicine, but taking the USMLE CK and step 3 entails much knowledge for internal medicine , this book is very useful and conclusive for this level of knowledge , perhaps the book might be inadequate for an internist who reads Harrison for breakfast :) LOL , so it all depends on your prospectives

the lay out is the favorite first aid lay out with a lot of tables (may be too much ! ) with the side margins notes

the bad written chapters
1- geriatrics
2- critical care

chapters that could be improved
1- cardiology
2- endocrinology ( a big mess with cushing syndrome )
3- ambulatory care

chapters need to be added
1- sports medicine

overall for a non internist like me , i find it the most useful and least painful for a rapid review ( its a review don't expect an uptodate or MKSAP level of details here )

for the ABIM I'll leave that to the pros in this area.

Sweating the Boards
I got this boards review along with the John Hopkin's one.I looked at several topics in both and found the John Hopkin's to be a little more in depth and easier to get through (better charts, pictures, etc.).I'll probably go over some of the most difficult diseases in both texts.Though Ferri's Practical Guide to the Care of the Medical Patient is really for residents on the wards, it has always been one of my favorite books since I was a medical student/resident and it works as a great refresher for the boards that you can carry anywhere with you.The other books are bulky and heavy.

Great Review Book
I've been using this book for the past few weeks in conjunction with the new MKSAP 14 questions. Thus far just about everything the MKSAP has tested can be found in the book. Its very easy to read, high yield and very well priced. The only complaint is the index. Like all the rest of the First Aid series, its horrible. That aside, this book is a great find. ... Read more

Product Description

This new revised third edition contains 80 illustrations now in full colour!

Clinical Sports Medicine is a complete practical guide book to musculoskeletal medicine and physical therapy, covering all aspects of diagnosis and management of sports-related injuries and physical activity.

With over 1000 full color pages and a free patient information CD, Clinical Sports Medicine adopts an easy-to-use, symptom-oriented approach and describes multidisciplinary methods of treatment

It is a vital reference for all clinicians in musculoskeletal health including physiotherapists, masseurs, general practitioners, personal trainers, athletic trainers, and orthopedic surgeons. It is also important reading for advanced coaches, insightful athletes and students of sports-related subjects such as kinesiology, human movement studies and human kinetics.

In the fully-updated, full-colour, expanded Third Edition (DVD also available) Clinical Sports Medicine is established as a leading text on sports medicine; the 2nd edition received a ‘Book of the Year’ award. This 3rd edition is a major upgrade for content, visual appeal, and readability. Every chapter has been updated for this landmark 3rd edition and there are six entirely new chapters. More than 1000 full color photos and purpose-drawn artwork show presentations and demonstrate treatment techniques.

Clinical Sports Medicine explores many important aspects of sports medicine:

- fundamental principles of sports medicine - diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries - enhancement of sports performance - dealing with special groups of participants, including disabled and older athletes - management of medical problems - practical aspects of sports medicine

Clinical Sports Medicine has been fully updated from the popular 2nd edition (2000). It is even more practical, now superbly illustrated, easy-to-read and packed with substantially updated and new material. There are samples of several chapters online including the whole "Pain in the Achilles region" chapter. This book describes a completely symptom-oriented approach to treating clinical problems.

The practitioner can flick to the chapter that describes the patient presentation (e.g., longstanding groin pain, acute ankle injuries) and review the likely differential diagnoses, the clinical approach and the full colour pictures of the physical examination (physical examination for several major systems are also available as a separate DVD - 0074716972).

The reader of this third edition of Clinical Sports Medicine benefits from the wisdom of over 50 clinicians with world-wide recognition including Jenny McConnell, Jill Cook, Roald Bahr, Liza Arendt, Per Holmich, Ben Kibler, Timothy Noakes, Pekka Kannus, Kim Bennell, Paul McCrory, George Murrell, Kevin Singer and Meena Sran and Jon Karlsson.

... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Coach
This is the best book you can but about sport medicine. I am a coach for national team of poland and I know what I am saying. It is fully professional but written with language everyone can understand. It is also very up to date with latest researches and easy to find what you are looking for.

Comprehensive and informative
Great text for practitioners interested in sports medicine.

Very comprehensive and information.

clinical sports medicine
this book is very good, for anyone doing musculoskeletal health, or related. covers everythin under the sun, well recommended

A Useful Aid in Evaluating Injuries
Anyone working in sports medicine should have this reference guide in their library.It's an outstanding resource that will help in diagnosing an injury.

A great reference for any medical professional
Awesome book !!!I'm a P.T. and Athletic Trainer getting
back into sports medicine and this book is a "must" for
your library. It's well organized and covers such a variety
of subject matter regarding injuries,rehabilitation, specific
medical injuries, and even aspects on the use of supplements
by athletes.It also contains functional anatomical references
that aid in the evaluation and differential diagnosis of
the injury. Great Book !!!
... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (12)

5-Minute Emergancy Medicine Consult
Great book. Each section appears to be written by leaders in the field. Very concise. Figure out how to handle a particular pt. in 5 mins or less.
Thomas P. Baytarian FF/EMT-P

great work!
i love the format! its just-enough, in-depth-enough, quick-look, quick review, its just that its not really portable, and also will need a revised edition soon - and i'm the first to get one!

Greatest ER Medicine book for the price
On a dollar for dollar basis this is the best ER text for practical use IN THE DEPARTMENT during a busy ER shift.The layout of the book, 1 diagnosis per 2 pages (every diagnosis fits nicely on the left and right hand pages of the opened text).It quickly highlights the presentation of illness with signs and symptoms, the necessary workup (labs, x-rays, additional studies) and recommended dispositions (admit vs discharge).It WILL NOT give you an in depth discussion of the disease process, you must make the diagnosis,but it rapidly allows you to get your essential workup started.

good quick reference.
good quick reference book.layout is open and easy to read but lacking the details.needs to read up more like uptodate or emedicine.if you have a PDA, getting the pda version would be nicer than the book version as it is too big & heavy.

Phenomenal text for quick review
Great for reviewing most everything you'll come across in the ER.If you need to brush up on certain topics while working quick and to the point. ... Read more

Product Description
The new edition of the only review book dedicated to the PM&R Boards is here. Course tested, widely used, and now completely updated throughout. The Second Edition of the bestselling Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Board Review is a must-have for residents preparing for the ABPMR board exams, for practicing physiatrists preparing for recertification, and for students, instructors and clinicians at all levels.

Developed in the residency training program in the department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute, UMDNJ Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, this concisely organized text concentrates on board-related concepts.

Written in outline format, with over 500 illustrations, the book provides a synopsis of the PM&R, orthopedic, neurologic, and general medical information candidates need to know to pass the boards.Board Pearls are highlighted throughout the text with an open-book icon to flag must-know information and assist with last-minute preparation. References to the key PM&R texts are included for further study.
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Board Review, Second Edition is essential reading for physicians preparing certification or recertification, and a valuable tool for managing patient care issues.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Board Review, Second Edition
• Uses Board pearls to highlight key concepts and stress clinical aspects of each topic making it easy to find and organize important information
• Models the table of contents after the topic selection of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPMR) Self-Directed Medical Knowledge Program used by residents nationwide.
• Divides topics into major subspecialty areas, authored by physicians with special interest and clinical expertise in their respective area
• Organizes information by topic for easy reference
• Includes over 500 illustrations to clarify concepts
• Provides updated epidemiologic and statistical data throughout
• Provides new and updated interventional spinal data throughout
• Contains a new section on biostatistics in physical medicine & rehabilitation ... Read more

  Customer Reviews (12)

  ALL YOU SHOULD NEED FOR PMR RECERTIFICATION
  i've been in private practice for 10years, but have been out of PMR practice for about 8 years. i used this text exclusively for the recertification boards and passed with flying colors.
  
  if your primary goal is to pass the recertification board, this is ALL YOU NEED.
  
  secondarily, i would think it is a nice quick referrence for everyday pmr topics.

  Good board review book
  This remains the best board review book for PM&R.It is too big to carry around with you, so you can only use it for home study.Choi's Pocketpedia is very good to keep in your pocket for quick reference. Cooper's Essential Physical Medicine has more information, is organized by the rotation you are doing (as opposed to disease topic) and also fits in your pocket.I prefer it for reading during a rotation.But, for board review, I recommend Cuccurullo.Some of the information is a little outdated, so watch out for errors, but hopefully, a new edition will be available soon.

  The next best thing to Molnar' s text itself
  I just used this book to study for and pass the pediatric rehab boards. It is an outstanding summary of Molnar's Pediatric Rehab text since the Cuccurrulo pediatric chapter summary is written by Molnar's co-author Alexander. The peds rehab chapter is required reading for my rehab residents on their pediatric rehab clerkship. It is nice to finally have some well-organized comprehensive review books out there.

  Well Worth Every Penny for PM&R Board Review!
  I did not take the written exam in the typical manner secondary to childbearing and scheduling delays.Needless to say, my clinical exposure to many of the tested areas was limited since completion of residency.Consequently, I found it necessary to review and study prior to the exam.I found this book helpful in structuring my study time.It's subject contect was also complete.If there was an area in which the review book did not make since to me, I merely supplemented with standard tests.Otherwise, the review book was a sufficient resource for preparation.I would highly recommend it as I believe that I partly owe my passing score to the authors!

  Good for boards only
  I found this book helpful studying for boards.It is a very large field to cover and the author stresses board relevant material with an "open book" icon next to them.
  Unlike the previous reviewer, I don't think $150 is a bargain for a soft cover book.I would try to buy one used or get one from a graduated resident.Once you pass your boards you probably will never use this book.
  I don't know what the previous reviewer means by a "real board review course" for orals.It would be better to have a study group and learn actively by going over topics orally rather than sitting through lectures and learning passively. ... Read more

Product Description
The cutting edge of medicine today is not to be found in invasive therapies like drugs and surgeries. It is in the disciplines that used to be regarded as "soft" medicine: prayer, intention, energy healing, acupressure, and similar therapies. Overwhelming evidence from hundreds of scientific studies are showing that these safe, non-invasive approaches are often more effective, sometimes many times more effective, than conventional medicine.Two of the pioneers in the field, Dr. Norman Shealy, founder of the American Holistic Medical Association and world-famous neurosurgeon, and Dr. Dawson Church, one of the foremost writers and researchers in vibrational healing, and the editor or author of many books on the subject, explain the fundamentals of energy medicine, its many applications to common ailments, and the latest scientific research. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (11)

Ah ha... so good to see more alternative medical works on the power of the mind!
Soul medicine as primary care? Yes. You will have to read how this can happen.
Energy healing starts with opening your mind.
Energy follows thoughts and intentions are everything.
Shealy, a neurosurgeon and Dawson, a clinical researcher, explains how future medicine can be more about the mind and spirit and less about medications!
This book is well researched, well written and encapsulates the history of energy healing, its mechanisms, and a "how to" self-help tool for your own personal growth. There is a fabulous chapter on how acupuncture works in electromagnetic terms.
"Magic precedes science." I was fascinated to read about outstanding healers of our time in conjunction with medical research proving the effectiveness of energy trials.
The book has many clinical and case studies that will educate you, and keep you turning pages for more information. It's packed with interesting and empowering information to help you learn more.
I thought I knew a lot about the mind, body, spirit, but was happy to discover new variations on the theme.
This book is useful to the layperson, the medical community and anyone discouraged and dissatisfies with their western medicine protocols.
Life can be so much more and this book discusses how and why.
Great read!
This was a complimentary review copy.

Be careful of Taurine & caffeine
I haven't finished the book and generally find it very enlightening.

A statement that Taurine is deficient in 86% of people suffering from depression led me to stock up on it, since this has been a life-long problem.Since you need to take it on an empty stomach, I took it with my morning coffee.WRONG! My blood pressure went through the roof. Check the internet re: the energy drinks that contain Taurine & caffeine. That says it all. If you're going to take Taurine, take it apart from caffeine!

Required reading
[...]

In North America, where there is much talk of the healthcare crisis, we clearly need a new paradigm. Many cultures today, including some branches of so-called Western medicine, are beginning to recognize that healing the body is essentially connected with healing the mind, the emotions and the spirit. Research into the ancient history of sacred healing explains how this works and how the contemporary healer can apply these principles, often reducing the need for invasive surgeries and powerful drugs.

As a cancer survivor, I found Soul Medicine to be an inspiring book that offers hope as it describes energy healing and its applications for the average reader. It is a particularly encouraging read for anyone who is grappling with chronic illness, simply interested in good health, or who is care taking a suffering friend or family member. Western medicine has limits and a new consciousness can often take us beyond those limits. Through their own clinical examples, authors Shealy and Church, a neurosurgeon and health researcher respectively, show us how we can all access such healing and improve our lives. They also cite clinical studies that show improved recovery time and greater instances of complete healing in surgical patients who are given various forms of energy healing, once their allopathic treatment is completed.

In spite of the research and thousands of anecdotal accounts, the authors point out that Western medicine is slow to recognize or even acknowledge what many patients know to be true - that the body is made to heal and that each of us has an "inner blueprint" that will take us back to physical health, if the mind and spirit receive the right kind of support. One section of the book is devoted to actions the authors believe will accelerate the pace of change and how soul medicine will look in the future.

They write:

"The pendulum has only begun its swing in the direction of soul medicine. The forces adding momentum to its movement are the exhaustion of the old system, its impossible costs, its inability to treat many systemic conditions, its lack of soul, and the enthusiasm of patients for soul medicine."

This book, while definitely engaging for the average reader, is actually the prescription for our healthcare crisis. It ought to be required reading for our government health departments, doctors and medical students as well.

A Must Read
I recommend this book to everyone. I am living proof that
alternative medicine works. It is well worth the read. I
am sure you will learn things you didn't know.

Amazing summary of the field
If you want to know about the field of energy medicine, the truth about faith healing and the myths abour drugs and traditional medicine, look no fuurther than this well written work by two of the fields shining lights.
The book is so exciting and interesting I could hardly put it down. Sections will leave you stunned asking yourself "Is this possible?And the evidecne of there finding are included.
I hated to get to the end. Find out about the new medical paradign, influenced by quantum physics, that is changing the way we see and repair emotional and physical problems.
John Laughlin, author of Reading Thomas Merton ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (5)

ABSOLUTELY THE BEST CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE BOOK
I can highly recommend Marini/Wheeler to all Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine fellows and all those practising Critical Care Medicine physicians who want to brush up their memories when something out of the ordinary occurs during rounds. It is easily transportable, not like some of those 20 pounds textbooks one finds in the libraries (and where they should remain!). I used Marini/Wheeler as a base for my Critical Care Medicine Boards in 1995 and subsequent recertification and only occasionally opened one of these huge textbooks for more detailed information my then chief had recommended at the begin of my Critical Care Medicine fellowship (which, dutifully, I had bought, only to let them collect dust on my bookshelves afterwards).

Liked Marino better
Not bad, but the writing style is somewhat dense, making it difficult to read quickly. After a couple chapters I decided to switch to the ICU book by Marino and was happy I did.If you're a busy resident with limited time to read, go with Marino.

Great Book for Respiratory therapists/ICU
I recently bought this book and it really goes deep into subject - just the way I like it.

Critical Care Medicine
This is fairly well organized and thorough despite the small size of the text. You also cannot beat the price.

Excellent approach to ICU pathophysiology, treatments
An excellent discussion of ICU/Critical Care Medicine pathophysiology and management approaches for principally the housestaff/junior fellow level.Chapters are pertinent and understandable.Does a good job of avoiding the tendency toward "cookbook" medicine found in several other CCM texts written at this level.End of chapter summaries are excellent.Focus is on developing understanding of key physiologic/pathophysiologic concepts and how they relate to monitoring, management, etc.rather than focusing on procedures and techniques.Should be the text of choice for medicine critical care rotations early in training as it really develops the appropriate foundation. ... Read more

Product Description
Whether it's a war zone or a civil disaster area, traumatic injuries often occur in remote, unsanitary locations. This book teaches advanced field procedures for small wound repair, care of the infected wound, IV therapy, pain control, amputations, treatment of burns, airway procedures and more. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

A great book to read...
But unless you are a Doctor or want to go to prison, don't practice most of the proceedures in this book.
I loved it anyway even though I am a humble medic.

Very Good information.Highly Recommended
"Ditch Medicine" is very informative and is written in a concise manner.
No single publication contains all the information that we would like but this book should be in your personal library if you have an interest in emergency field medicine in an austere environment. I highly recommend this book.I also highly recommend emergency medical training prior to employing many of the procedures outlined, if at all possible.

Advanced procedures indeed!
Not just how to treat an amputation, but surgical procedures for performing an amputation!Other topics include IV cutdowns, nerve blocks, chest tubes, and suturing.While the procedures are numerous, I can't imagine learning how to perform them successfully from the text alone.The author assumes his reader is well-equipped with both gear and a basic knowledge of medicine.If you have the proper gear and can understand the instruction, you probably didn't need the book.Further, if you have no experience with IVs or suturing, performing a cutdown seems ambitious.As stated by another reviewer, much of the information feels dated.Even moreso, extreme amounts of information are left out.Nevertheless, while the topics in this book are covered better elsewhere, it is still interesting.Useful?Probably not.I can't say the instruction is terribly practical.Neither do I find it helpful to reference.But it definitely has cool factor and I'm glad I have it!

Good background and tech
Basic bring'em back alive tech, deals with using what you have on hand as well as what a funded medic has in their kit! I liked the historical notes as well!

Solid no nonsense basics
For the cost this is a good reference.It is written in plain english and is easy to understand.It is of particular use to the health care professional that has never operated or has limited experience in austere environments.It has some deficiencies (pictures/drawings are not the greatest, some of the material is dated, no real discussion of permissive hypotension etc...) but these are forgivable in a volume of this size, cost and ease of reading.

It is an essential part of any operational medical library. ... Read more

Product Description
The first book to demonstrate how plants originally considered harmful to the environment actually restore Earth’s ecosystems and possess powerful healing properties

• Explains how invasive plants enhance biodiversity, purify ecosystems, and revitalize the land

• Provides a detailed look at the healing properties of 25 of the most common invasive plants

Most of the invasive plant species under attack for disruption of local ecosystems in the United States are from Asia, where they play an important role in traditional healing. In opposition to the loud chorus of those clamoring for the eradication of all these plants that, to the casual observer, appear to be a threat to native flora, Timothy Scott shows how these opportunistic plants are restoring health to Earth’s ecosystems. Far less a threat to the environment than the cocktails of toxic pesticides used to control them, these invasive plants perform an essential ecological function that serves to heal both the land on which they grow and the human beings who live upon it. These plants remove toxic residues in the soil, providing detoxification properties that can help heal individuals.

Invasive Plant Medicine demonstrates how these “invasives” restore natural balance and biodiversity to the environment and examines the powerful healing properties offered by 25 of the most common invasive plants growing in North America and Europe. Each plant examined includes a detailed description of its physiological actions and uses in traditional healing practices; tips on harvesting, preparation, and dosage; contraindications; and any possible side effects. This is the first book to explore invasive plants not only for their profound medical benefits but also with a deep ecological perspective that reveals how plant intelligence allows them to flourish wherever they grow.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Must Read!
This is a must read book for anyone interested in herbal medicine or nature restoration. The whole idea of "invasive" plants is a cultural construct, another example of humans manipulating nature, often to our own detriment. Many plants considered "invasive" are potent healers, both of humans and the earth. As Scott explains, these plants move into disturbed areas and heal the earth. Often, they remain strong for several years until other plants can gain a foothold. The really important issue is: Why are these areas disturbed in the first place? The answer is: Because human activities cause disturbance. It's not a secret that millions of acres of prairie land have disappeared to make way for crops. But the 9000-pound elephant in the room is chemicals: pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers. Not only do they make our food, water and air toxic, but they kill the soil. We fail to look under the ground and see what's taking place outside of our immediate vision. Fungi form mutual relations with plant and tree roots and nourish the soil. Chemical companies are destroying life above and below ground. Scott shows that "invasive" plants can clean up some of the toxins and heal the soil, making our food, air and water safer. Unfortunately, due to our lazy and unnatural dependence on chemicals, we aren't looking seriously for alternative solutions to agricultural practices. Scott also draws attention to the parallels in the rhetoric used for both nature and human society: verbal attacks against "invasive" plants mimic those against immigrants. The mentality is the same: We don't want those foreigners on our land. Well, nature does not recognize political boundaries, and zenophobia has no place in either society or nature.

Learn how to restore natural balance in enviroment and body
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (09/10)

Most societies, especially Western, consider "weeds" as invasive and in some areas, by law, must be removed.For example, the Canada Thistle is considered invasive in Canada and farmers must spray herbicides to kill it or be subjected to harsh fines.Yet, in some parts of the United States it isn't considered an invasive plant.

Timothy Lee Scott, an herbalist and acupuncturist, gives us an in-depth look into the various plants that have entered into our ecosystem. Most of these come from Asia and are considered medicinal in traditional healing there.Yet, once discovered here in the United States, it is considered a weed.Scott addresses issues such as: politics, science of invasions and herbicidal impacts, as well as areas such as ecology, chemistry, and treatment use.

For example, Thistle (aka Canada thistle, California thistle, bull thistle, spear thistle) has "been used in numerous herbal traditions...for thousands of years. The most famous of these is the use of milk thistle as a potent medicinal for liver health and detoxification." (p. 289) He also claims that the "expansive thistles and their seeds make a good substitute for milk thistle."

For each invasive that Scott lists, he adds information about the plant, its description, collection and habitat, medicinal uses, plant chemistry, pharmacological actions, scientific studies, ecological importance, harvesting and preparing, dosage, cautions/contraindications, herb/drug interactions, and references.

"Invasive Plant Medicine" is very thorough and indicates that author Scott did extensive research into this subject.I appreciated the colored pictures of the invasives in the center of the book, and the illustration of each plant in the content area.I encourage readers to think about our environment and accept the medicinal uses of "invasive" plants because indeed they may not be as invasive as some expect us to think they are.In order to sustain a healthy planet we must eliminate the use of harmful chemicals to destroy plants that are beneficial for our health and well-being.

I commend Scott in giving us to become friendly with invasives."Invasive Plant Medicine" is not only a keeper, but a healer. ... Read more

Product Description
In an emergency, you only have one chance...and usually very little time...to make the right decision. How can you be certain you have the knowledge you need?Through six editions, Rosen's Emergency Medicine has set the standard in emergency medicine, offering unparalleled comprehensiveness, clarity, and authority. Now, the seventh edition places the latest knowledge at your fingertips, while a more streamlined format makes it easy to find the exact information you seek more rapidly and conveniently than ever before. Best of all, this resource includes access to a companion website where you will find the full text of the book, regular updates, reference links to MEDLINE, and more.

• Presents more than 1,200 exquisite color illustrations that accurately capture the real-life appearance of patient symptoms and diagnostic imaging findings, helping you to reach a definitive diagnosis more easily.
  


• Includes "Cardinal Presentations" sections that provide quick and easy guidance on differential diagnosis and directed testing.

Customer Reviews (6)

Bible Of EM
Without A Doubt , The Bible Or Emergency Medicine .. Although Using A Smaller Font , Its The Best And The Toxicology Part Is Better Now ,In Short A Must Have !!

Best EM text for completeness
This book is a great read compared to any other text out there for EM. It is long but the time invested in learning and reading it worth-while.

A masterpiece in Emergency Medicine
Here as before, the authors have brought Emergency Medicine to a new height.This book, like the last two editions, revamps the subject in a form that is readable, and to the point without the superfluous "fluff" seen in other books.

It comes in two volumes (instead of the three like prior editions).On-line access is a definite plus when I am at work and can't haul around a big fat textbook.I can search for things on my computer.

I totally recommend it.It is one of my 'must haves' in my armamentarium of EM.

down to 2 volumes..
No complaints. I purchased the book not the CD.Pleased with online access, as internet is available everywhere. This is far better than Harwood and Nuss for completeness of content. So many of the chapters there have leave information out.

No CD, just a "Pin Card"
I spent $300 for what appears to be a CD case, within the box is a card with a scratch-off area for a password to get online and sign in, NO CD! On the Amazon site if you look under "Product Details" it clearly states that this is a CD, I assure you that it's not (as of 3/30/06).If you're like me, you go to multiple ED's and carry a laptop, or you may want to read outdoors or on an airplane.Unless you're always able to connect to the internet this product is useless.In addition the back of the box is states "May Not Return if Opened".We'll see about that, given that this is false advertising.The old 5th edition works fine on CD rom, why did they have to go and screw it up? ... Read more