The Johns Hopkins Consumer Guide to Medical Tests: What You Can Expect, How You Should Prepare, What Your Results Mean [Illustrated] [Hardcover]

Simeon Margolis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 15, 2001

Intended to help patients understand the purpose of specific tests and to make informed decisions about diagnostic/treatement options. It provides detailed information on hundreds of sophisticated procedures.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The introduction to this unadorned guide to over 170 medical tests states that it was "created to help you understand the essentials of modern diagnostic testing, particularly the tests that are commonly done in adults over the age of 50." Margolis (medicine and biological chemistry, Johns Hopkins Univ.) urges the reader to take the knowledge gained from this book and ask informed questions, raise concerns regarding insurance, and make "more educated decisions." The entries, generally about two pages long, list the test's purpose and special concerns, what the results may mean, pretest preparations, risks and complications, and estimated cost. Included are chapters on home testing, genetic screening, and the pros and cons of diagnostic imaging, as well as an index and a guide to effective use of the book. Unfortunately, though a 14-page color atlas appears, none of the tests is illustrated a considerable drawback when a user might want a line drawing of, for example, "Fine Needle Aspiration of a Neck Mass." Nor is the language user-friendly. Though the Mayo Clinic's Everything You Need To Know About Medical Tests (Springhouse, 1996) does not include new procedures such as "Breast Thermography" (included here), it covers over 400 tests with numerous line drawings. Over 200 tests are covered in the thorough, illustrated Yale University School of Medicine Patient's Guide to Medical Tests (Houghton, 1997). Given these alternatives, The Johns Hopkins Consumer Guide is not an essential purchase for consumer health libraries. Martha E. Stone, Treadwell Lib., Boston
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Dr Simeon Margolis, Ph.D is professor of Medicine & Biological Chemistry at The Johns Hopkins University. He has edited the Johns Hopkins Health After 50 Newsletter for over a decade and is editor of numerous other medical books.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Rebus, Inc.; 1st edition (October 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 092966163X
• ISBN-13: 978-0929661636
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,530,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Testing Limits, June 7, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Johns Hopkins Consumer Guide to Medical Tests: What You Can Expect, How You Should Prepare, What Your Results Mean (Hardcover)

Target reader Those 50 and up who are likely to be sent for medical tests.

Premise Your doctor recommends a lab test or diagnostic screening. You don't have a clue what you're in for or why. This is where the book takes over.

High Marks Impressive pedigree. Clear and accessible rundowns of more than 170 lab, home, screening and diagnostic tests (e.g., lipid profile, renal biopsy, scrotal ultrasound), presented alphabetically. Descriptions include test purpose, patient preparation, risks and concerns, cost range and more. Labeled, color illustrations of major body systems (cardiovascular, digestive, etc.) help pinpoint target areas.

Low Marks A "results" box in each write-up describes the diagnostic process and what tests or treatments may follow. But it offers no information on how to interpret test results. So if you're looking for help in questioning your doctor's interpretation -- or even knowing what "normal" ranges are - you won't find it here. Further, the index at the front of the book lacks page references, so once you find a test there, you have to turn to the index at the back of the book to get the page number.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From what to expect from them to how to interpret results, October 17, 2001

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Johns Hopkins Consumer Guide to Medical Tests: What You Can Expect, How You Should Prepare, What Your Results Mean (Hardcover)

Dr. Simeon Margolis' Consumer Guide To Medical Tests provides a detailed overview of the latest medical tests; from what to expect from them to how to interpret results. Unusual in this presentation are general costs, and tips on special health care requirements after the test.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, September 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Johns Hopkins Consumer Guide to Medical Tests: What You Can Expect, How You Should Prepare, What Your Results Mean (Hardcover)

Thorough, comprehensive, easy to use, with all of the latest tests explained clearly for the average person who wants to know what is being tested for, how much it will cost, and what to look for and expect after the test. An essential book for your health library.