From Library Journal
In today's managed-care environment, where patient-education issues are emphasized by accrediting agencies, the fourth edition of The Patient's Guide to Medical Tests is very welcome. It explains over 1000 of the most common medical tests in alphabetical order, giving a description of the test, patient preparation, reference ranges, abnormal values, costs, and comments, which include special instructions or precautions. Though this consumer guide is not so exhaustive and complete as the excellent Yale University School of Medicine Patient's Guide to Medical Tests (LJ 8/97), each contains some tests not included in the other. Considering the modest costs, most health collections will want to purchase both volumes. Going one step further, Haessler, formerly a clinical professor at Harvard Medical School, has provided a basic reference for those who want to apply tests at home to verify their wellness status and the potential need for a physician's intervention in the event of symptoms or abnormal body functionings.The result is a solid addition to consumer health-care libraries.?James Swanton, Harlem Hosp. Lib., New York
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Medicine has become more dependent on sophisticated diagnostic techniques. Because these are expensive, insurers with an eye on the bottom line may not want to pay for them. Consumers need to know enough about these procedures to make informed decisions concerning their care.
The Patient's Guide to Medical Tests, written by a clinical chemist and a physician, offers basic information about 1,000 commonly used medical terms. Librarians may be familiar with this title, which appeared in a third edition in 1986. However, according to the publisher, substantial updating makes the volume under review a new book, rather than a fourth edition.
An introduction covers the mechanics of specimen collection and explains how to use the book. The entries are arranged alphabetically by the name of the test. Each entry includes a description of the test, the possible meaning of abnormal results, the cost, and special instructions or precautions. See references refer users from terms not used to those used as entries, as well as to a glossary at the end of the text. The latter contains brief entries that define technical terms and some very specialized tests performed only in major research centers. There is also a short list of medical abbreviations.
Although this book covers more tests, it is far less informative than The Yale University School of Medicine Patient's Guide to Medical Tests [RBB D 15 97]. It has no illustrations and rarely discusses the amount of pain or discomfort that may be involved in the procedures. The tables of normal and abnormal values will be confusing for unsophisticated users. The list of serious illnesses that can cause abnormal results may be frightening to some as there is no discussion of follow-up care. The Yale title is the best choice for reference and consumer-health collections. The Facts On File title is an acceptable supplement and an adequate addition to circulating collections.
