Customer Reviews

Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics, 5E with STUDENT CONSULT Access Fifth Edition(Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics)

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

 

 

First and foremost: If you're not going into Peds, Blueprints or Kaplan with Pretest should be enough. Don't bother with this text as it's probably not what you're looking for.

I bought this (although I had no intention of going into Peds) because I needed a little more explanation than the review books give, and I was glad I bought it. It does have a lot of tables, but I found them to be a useful way to distinguish between similar entities. While on my Peds rotation, the residents always referred to the big Nelson's when they had tough questions. If you want to make a good impression on your attendings and/or residents because you're going into Peds (or you're just a gunner) then Essentials is the way to go.

Here's the conundrum: learn the material that will make you a competent doctor or learn the material that'll make you pass the Peds exam?

Unfortunately in Peds, the two are not the same. Peds exams are filled with things like vaccination schedules which change yearly and word association like Meckel's rule of 2s, and thumb sign. Actual practice of pediatrics requires an actual thought process... which is explained best by Essentials.

I read this book during my peds clerkship and like the above review states, too much of the information is contained in tables. However, because the book is extremely easy to read, you can learn much from just reading the text and glancing through the tables. With that being said, I'm hesitant to recommend this as a primary resource or even a reference during your clerkship. I felt that Case files, Pre-Test, and BRS peds were more than sufficient for the rotation; and since M3 year is just as much about studying effectively as it is learning, save your money and buy the aforementioned books. go through those multiple times and you'll crush the shelf.

Please do not waste your money on this book. Practically half of the book is composed of huge tables (some even spanning multiple pages!) . It feels like they decided to try to compact Nelson's Textbook of Pediatrics into this volume by throwing the information into tables. Don't get me wrong - the tables do contain important information, but they are just not organized in a way that is conducive to comprehension. And I am NOT gonna sit and memorize the tables. The text is pretty basic and readable, but a bit too long-winded. Also, there is definitely not adequate coverage of patient management issues... I felt like I could've read the entire book (which would have been a total waste of time) and still been very inadequately prepared for the shelf exam.

the book is very informative and hence very useful in practice. it contains update in the pediatric practice as to diagnosis and management. It makes the reader equipped with useful knowledge applicable to general pediatrics and sub-specialties as well.

good for the general med student, not very good for specifically learning the neonatology stuff though.
i ordered second-hand and the 5th edition while the sixth was already out, and i dont see a difference what so ever, except the money i saved..

This book gives good surface information on subject matters, but gets scanty on the pathology area of diseases. It is a nice start for those getting into clinical practice, but not one you take with you to clinic.

The book has a lot of stuff to get through in it, but set up well, complete and useful. Easy to reference back to as well.

Product came exactly as described. Needed the book for Physician Assistant school and look for it to be very useful.

The book is in great condition! I'm very happy with my purchase! Thank you!