Customer Reviews

Practical Guide to the Care of the Medical Patient

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is by far THE best quick reference for the Internal Medicine resident and the med student on a medicine rotation. I'm about to order my 3rd copy. It beats the Wash Manual hands down, because it ALWAYS has what I'm looking for - differential diagnosis, pertinent clinical findings and lab values, and treatment. I especially like the section on differential diagnosis of abnormal lab values (what else causes peripheral eosinophilia besides asthma?). And, if you truly want to add extra weight to your lab coat and make your shoulders ache even more than they already do, this does fit in your pocket (Wash manual doesn't)!

I have used Ferri and The Wash U manual both during my training and since, and in a pinch I would choose Ferri every time. It is much more practical. Just compare the sections on Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Wash U. may explain the pathophysiology better, but Ferri gives a clear and step by step algorithm on how to treat the patient. At three AM, you and the patient need something clear and applicable, not esoteric. Ferri is popular because it works, not because it fits better in pockets.

I heartily concour with the other reviewers that this pocket guide is great. I got a copy a few months ago but did not give it serious attention until last week when I needed to brush up on some topics in IM, in preparation for the USMLE Step III exams. Particularly, I was interested in step-by-step, practical management of certain conditions (most textbooks do not help here; they seem to pour everything on you, and expect you to make the right decisions).
I found Ferri's book both comprehensive and easy to use. It goes into unbelievable details for a book of its size, and it made the management of medical patients much simpler, by emphasizing the practical aspects of medical care.

forget about it. it's all you need. get a refund on your wash manual or scut monkey. this one is much more comprehensive and ideal for junior student.

By far and away the best book for the fleging internal medicine resident or even a 4th year student. The "subtleties" of medicine is clearly not the goal of a labcoat reference such as this. Rather, it is a reasonably comprehensiive, easily accessible, and up-to-date guide for day to day decision making on the wards. It does not replace Harrison's, and it won't make you a brilliant physician, but for quick reminders of everyday resident level problems, it's hard to beat. It's actually quite easy to see why it's better than the prosaic and vague Washington Manual (Yawn).

I am a transitional intern doing my gen med rotation. I was introduced to this book by my intern 2 years ago when I was a student during the first week of my gen med rotation. It was great then, and it is great now. I hate carrying stuff in my white coat, especially books of this size. But I refer to it constantly during the day. In rounds, in the ED while working up a patient, while reviewing a patient's labs. Numerous times each day. I have two students with me now, and I've convinced them after one week that they should buy this book. It's that good.

Details, ie, what it offers.

DDX, there is a DDX section in the front for common presenting symptoms. This is perhaps the books only weakness. It is too scant. Many common symptoms aren't included. The differentials offered are adequate, but the section could be expanded.

Systems Based Chapters. CV, Pulm, GI, ID,Neuro, Renal etc. The stuff you see everday on the wards is reviewed very well, with signs, symptoms, diagnostic workup and treatment. These chapters are not everything you need to know. I do more reading at night on specific ailments my patients are presenting with. But in the ED when you are accepting a thyroid storm, CVA, GIB, whatever, its there and it will get you through the admission and the evening until morning rounds with the attending.

Another great feature is the section that helps to interpret many labs you may order. Elevated, normal or low anything, and it provides a great differential. It can make you look smart on rounds.

Finally, there is a short formulary in the back, which I never refer to since I have both pharmacopaeia (spelling?) and epocrates.

This book is great for med students and transitional interns. Prelims and categoricals probably can pass on this. I'd say the next step is the little red book put out by Stanford (Standford Internal Medicine pocket guide? Not sure of the name.) It is much more compact, concise, etc. with citations to the literature. But if you are a med student, buy it NOW, before your gen med rotation.

Good Luck.

For medical students,interns and residents who are rotating through general medical wards, this book provides concise and reasonably up to date information on common ailments encountered. It is a quick and brief way to review the mainpoints of disease (differential diagnosis, workup, treatment etc)on your way to morning report or before attending rounds. I found it easier to read than the washington manual.

Another plus is its compact size that can easily fit into your labcoat pocket and can therefore be available on the wards, on call and while sitting through lectures.

It is not, of course, a replacement to the Harrison's text--but who can carry harrison's around with them everyday??

i bought the 4th edition 2 years ago, and i found it to be very useful, not only during wards, or medical school but also for a quick review when preparing the exams for the residency in my country. it has almost all the information you need to move around in hospital. it has also a large number of formulas and tables, not to mention the new "differential diagnosis" section. it will never replace a textbook, but will serve you as a quick reference guide, and a quick subject review. Buy it, you won't regret it !!!

The book is wonderfull. Just about everything a resident could ask for in one source. The material is carefully chosen and explained in a straight forward easy to understand format. I like it so much I went ahead and bought the new edition. My only dissapointment is the spiral style that is still being used and how flaky the pages are. It is not meant to last very long. Maybe that is the intent. Shame on Mosby! This is one area that deserves serious improvement!

Julian DiAvnati, M.D.

This book covers many beside procedures we find ourselves trying to fumble through. Things like "Seldinger" technique, peritoneal aspiration, and many others. It also covers many diagnostic and treatment criteria like Washington Manual but in a more list-like or "less wordy" fashion.