Customer Reviews

Oxford Handbook of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation (Medicine)

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This is a truly excellent book. So often, medical authors are intent on impressing their readership with their knowledge of obscure minutae (a detailed knowledge of genetics and/or immunology seems to be key to a bright future in academic medicine at the moment, with public health and prevention appearing to be considered rather low brow !).

This state of affairs rarely helps the clinician or laboratory doctor toiling away at the coal face, trying to do the right thing for the patient without ending up in medico-legal hot water !

This book doesn't do this. Instead, it provides the reader with useful insights into the rational practice of medicine, in particular endorsing the tremendous value of lateral thinking in medicine.

The section on Infection and Tropical Medicine is particularly valuable. Apart from man himself, the biggest challenge to our species remains infection, the only new diseases that will come along will be infectious in nature, the general public remain fascinated and frightened by infections (just look at the impact of SARS in 2003 !), and many infections are treatable and/or preventable if only we can get round to considering the possibility that the patient might have them !. Indeed, a patient's best interests remain best served by their doctor retaining a supicious mind ! This chapter makes this abundantly clear.

The other sections are also excellent, especially the wonderful opening chapter on symptoms and signs.

I would not only recommend medical students and junior doctors read this book - many senior clinicians and medical academics would have their personal and professional horizons usefully broadened by their thumbing through this first rate effort.

I look forward to the second edition.