Medical English Usage And Abusage: [Paperback]

Edith Schwager (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0897745906 | ISBN-13: 978-0897745901 | Publication Date: November 1, 1990 | Edition: 1

There are few areas of human endeavor in which precise communication is more important or in which its lack can have more devastating consequences than medicine. Edith Schwager, renowned medical editor, writer, and columnist, has created an insightful guide to improving clarity and accuracy in the writing and editing of medical works. Highly instructive and equally enjoyable, the text covers common errors in grammar and usage as well as the special problems of medical writing--all in a clear and instantly intelligible style. Medical English Usage and Abusage is a must read for medical writers and editors, physicians, nurses, health care professionals, journalists, copywriters, and students.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“...heartily recommended for health and science collections of all sizes.”–Medical Reference Quarterly

“Schwager has packed a lot of wisdom into a compact reference that most of us would do well to keep at our elbow when preparing a technical paper.”–BioPharm

“Using this book would benefit anyone who writes or edits anything.”–Academic Library Book Review

“We as medical communicators have a responsibility to ensure that our writing is true and comprehensible; with Edith Schwager's guidance, we cannot fail.”–American Medical Writers Association Journal

“An entertaining yet thorough guide to correct usage and grammar in medical writing.”–Sci Life

“Myriad pearls are grouped among instructive chapters . . . This would be a good first or only guide for the writer of 'a memorandum or a monograph, a letter or a laboratory record.'”–Journal of the American Medical Association

About the Author

EDITH SCHWAGER is a columnist for the American Medical Writers Association's AMWA Journal.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Oryx Press; 1 edition (November 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897745906
• ISBN-13: 978-0897745901
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #565,306 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To make a better medical writer..., December 10, 2001

By 

Dr. van der Linden (Williamstown, NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Medical English Usage And Abusage: (Paperback)

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...begin with the basics. The Grand Dame of usage among the ranks of the American Medical Writers Association, Edie Schwager has always demonstrated punctiliousness and precision as thoroughgoing as is her charm. A warmly-welcomed and well-beloved member of AMWA's Delaware Valley Chapter, Edie has always been the first person for whom I've looked whenever I've attended any of the Association's meetings. She educates without condescension and is patient beyond belief.

Most of us come to the field of medical writing from a technical background, usually having been trained as scientists, health care providers, or allied professionals. Our compositional experience is generally restricted to communications with peers, and the niceties of precise English usage are not well-appreciated by those of us who scraped through the liberal arts side of our education only narrowly (and that only with the utilization of Cliff's Notes and every other kind of cheat-sheet we could get our hands upon). Enter Edie Schwager's very nice little book of tips and tricks.

If you aspire to a career as a writer in the health care field, this book belongs alongside your copy of Stedman's, right next to your copies of Iles' *Guidebook to Better Medical Writing* and Bob Bonk's *Medical Writing in Drug Development*.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect, April 29, 2005

By 

Shari (MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Medical English Usage And Abusage: (Paperback)

It is the most reliable book in print today. I refer to it often and it has saved me from making several embarrassing errors. Ms. Schwager's style of writing is concise and thorough. Reading this book is more than an education, it is a delight.

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for medical writers & editors, December 1, 2010

By 

PalominoTwist - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Medical English Usage And Abusage: (Paperback)

Many AMWA members know Ms. Schwager from her "Dear Edie" column. While this is an older book, its advice is still mostly relevant to today's industry (there are some parts about using a typewriter and typesetting that are really no longer needed today).

Schwager filled this book full of little "gems" of advice. The approach is direct, easy to read, and often with entertaining insight and asides from the author. Much advice followed the format of 1) rule, 2) incorrect example, 3) correct example, 4) further explanation. This book included many important grammar rules, along with other issues that pertain directly to scientific/medical writing & editing, which makes this book a "must" for medical writers and editors. A great companion for your AMA Manual of Style.