|
Mayo Internal Medicine Board Review 1994-95
|
|---|
UBS Prakash; ed. 894 pages. Rochester, MN: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 1994. $89.95. ISBN 0-9627865-1-9. Order phone 800-759-0190.
From its humble but commendable dedication to the Mayo residents and fellows to its understated purpose and its dynamic ending with answers to questions, this book was obviously meant to be widely read and used. Its philosophical and academic strength is that it uses a well-integrated, multidisciplinary approach in its format; this approach is similar to the way in which Mayo residents and fellows are taught, with the goal of making them well-rounded clinicians.
The text's 29 chapters were prepared by 30 specialists; they are organized in a nonprejudicial alphabetical order from "Allergy" to "Vascular Diseases." In his preface, the editor-in-chief states that he assumes that candidates have studied at length a standard textbook of medicine. To me this is the soundest initial advice one can give a first-year resident in medicine; I have always insisted that either Cecil or Harrison, or both, be read cover to cover by every resident.
The first chapter briefly introduces the philosophy and logistics of the Board examination, seemingly attempting to soften the likely blow while also emphasizing the importance of the Medical Knowledge Self-Assessment Program (MKSAP) of the American College of Physicians.
At the onset, one is launched into the wealth of information to follow by being presented with an unusually complete Table showing the "connection" between etiologic factors and the agent or disease. The text of every page is succinct, and added value comes from the blue-dot highlights interspersed between paragraphs, which are an important facet enabling quick review. This method highlights that which must be remembered, with few exceptions. Occasionally the reader is forced to lose his or her train of thought for the sake of brevity and must retrace steps to be sure he or she is still on the same topic; this is principally true of the section on allergy. Some of the few errors are typographic and editorial, but some are errors of fact.
All chapters are a credit to their authors; each page bursts with an abundance of knowledge and experience unrivaled in medical review texts. Special accolades, however, must go to the three sections on cardiology, the brief chapter on chest radiographs, and the coverage of clinical pharmacology, dermatology, gastroenterology, hypertension, rheumatology, and vascular diseases. The discussions of coagulation disorders and anticoagulants in the chapter on hematology are "must reading" for all practitioners.
The discussion of positive and negative predictive values, from my practical perspective, nearly reaches the point of absurdity as it apparently attempts to negate the usefulness of sensitivity and specificity to the practicing physician. Otherwise, the chapter on general internal medicine is a worthy addition, and the discussion of anticoagulation and the international normalized ratio is exemplary. The chest radiograph reproductions are weak in quality, but the color dermatologic and hematologic figures are good.
Although important medical topics on the pregnant patient are scattered throughout the various chapters, I would prefer an additional, separate chapter on medical management of the pregnant patient. The answers to questions would be more conveniently placed at the end of each chapter rather than en masse at the back of the book. I would be remiss if I failed to give credit to the valuable and scholarly answers; just reading the answers alone is rewarding. Finally, the excellence of the innumerable tables contributes to making this book a medical treasure.
This book sets new standards in the compilation, assessment, and presentation of medical information. It should be part of every medical library and on the "must have" list of every internist practicing general medicine. It should also be read by every subspecialist who does not strictly adhere to his or her subspecialty (I suspect that even those who do would find occasional review of their section of interest to be of considerable value).
In the infinite galaxy of medical texts, a new star is born.
Article
