Customer Reviews

The American Medical Association Encyclopedia of Medicine: An A-Z Reference Guide to Over 5,000 Medical Terms Including Symptoms, Diseases, Drugs and Treatments

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book needs an update. It's too old, the information is outdated. I tried to locate an updated version but none was found. If you can recommend a more current reference like this I would like to know about it. Thank you.

Compared with the AMA Family Medical Guide, this text is easier to use, because of A-Z arrangement; more thorough, because it has more text, fewer illustrations--although its many illustrations are a definite plus; and more advanced, that is, with less information on general medical education. Both are 5-stars: which you buy depends on what your purposes are. If you want a medical reference book for general use, for instance, the encylopedia would probably be better; if you want it for family care, the guide would probably be better. Both the guide and encylopedia can be compared usefully with the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Complete Home Medical Guide. This is also 5 stars. It is arranged differently from both the AMA books--more a guide than an A-Z arrangement, however--and its authorship is also different: articles are written by separate authors, top authorities in their fields, instead of by a general editor. This has certain advantages and disadvantages, from the point of view of coverage, and, in general, it makes for a more advanced text, although it is still broad and readable for the college-educated public. Another important difference between the Columbia guide and both AMA texts is that the Columbia guide includes a great many more references to outside sources: for instance, it lists hospitals that are certified for the treatment of various conditions, poison control centers in states, associations that focus on research and treatment for various diseases; it also includes more bibliographic material throughout. The Columbia guide could be used to supplement both the AMA texts, or used by itself. It certainly should not be allowed to go out of print.

This is the greatest book. If I ever need to know about any medical situation, I refer to this book and it has never failed to give me the information I need to know. My only problem with it is that it was written in 1989, and a lot has happened since then. I would like to see an updated book soon.

I have turned to this encyclopedia again and again over the last 10 years and have found it to be an excellent resouce to help guide me through medical problems. It is a concise and clear guide. However, I'd love an updated version!

I didn't realize that this book has not been updated since its copyright--1989. The date of information probably is 1988 or earlier. While this book is clear and well-organized, anything that's 14 years old has little credibility with me. I feel that I made a mistake in getting it.

I have loved this book since I purchased in 1990. I have gone to it over and over again. The only problem I have with it is....It is rather outdated. My husband has Hepatitis C. That wasn't even know back there. It was Non A and Non B!! Time they updated their wonderful book. Any information about this? Thanks very much

The newer (2003) ediion is called "American Medical Association Complete Medical Encyclopedia".

I used this reference so much that my copy eventually fell apart. It's clear, concise, and authoritative. But it's very outdated. A newer version came out in 2003, which I was happy to order.

I have loved this book since I purchased in 1990. I have gone to it over and over again. The only problem I have with it is....It is rather outdated. My husband has Hepatitis C. That wasn't even know back there. It was Non A and Non B!! Time they updated their wonderful book. Any information about this? Thanks very much

This book gives good basic but critical information regarding medical conditions, medicines, symptoms and outlooks. I find anything I need to know, easily and in language easy enough for anyone to comprehend. It also provides pictures regarding some medical conditions and information concerning medical procedures. This information is very helpful for people who may need to know what to expect before procedures are performed.