Acute clinical medicine - Parveen J. Kumar

Another addition to the highly popular Kumar & Clark family of information for medical students and doctors.
Acute Clinical Medicine is a handbook covering the complete range of acute medical conditions and problems that junior doctors are likely to encounter during the first years of training (PRHO/SHO). It is particularly topical and timely because 'Acute medicine' has been singled out as one of the core competencies to be covered in the new 'Foundation' programme being introduced for junior doctors (PRHOs and SHOs), as part of an overhaul of post-registration training.

The book is divided into chapters reflecting core medical specialties - including infectious diseases; STD; gastroenterology; etc. Each chapter is then subdivided into problems, such as (for example) pyrexia of unknown origin (under the Infectious Disease Group), HIV/Aids (under STD) and Vomiting and Weight Loss (under Gastroenterology).
Each problem follows a standard pattern or template: it begins with a case history, and is accompanied by short, succinct text divided up by headings such as 'What are the commonest causes of...'; What factors predispose to....' Where relevant there are also sections on pathology, pathophysiology and prognosis. Important points to note in the acute context are picked out in boxes ('Remember!' And 'Information') as are vital investigations. Each chapter also ends with questions and answers.

Acute Clinical Medicine is well signposted and well indexed, so that the user can locate information easily and quickly. A PDA version of the book is also available, available separately or as a pack with the book, for portability and quick reference.