Field of medicine: Epidemiology.

Format: Softcover book.

Audience: Medical students.

Purpose: This textbook of basic epidemiology is for those who need to read, understand, and use epidemiologic studies rather than for those actually doing such studies.

Content: The first edition of this book was published only 3 years ago; this new edition includes some revisions and two new chapters, on genetic epidemiology and clinical decision making. All of the traditional topics of basic epidemiology are covered. However, rather than providing a theoretical discussion of study designs and problems, the authors use "patient profiles" to demonstrate the use of epidemiology in everyday clinical practice.

Highlights: The authors' teaching experience is reflected in the didactic style of the book, the numerous practical examples given, and the uncluttered diagrams. A diagram of a general concept is often followed by a similar diagram for the particular patient profile detailed in that chapter.

Limitations: The chapter on medical surveillance is largely irrelevant to readers outside of the United States, but perhaps an international edition will contain more general information on surveillance systems. There is little discussion of statistics, and only a few references are made to a companion biostatistics book. Some sections assume that the reader has at least some statistical knowledge.

Context: This book is an excellent primer for use in epidemiology courses for medical students. However, it is probably not worth purchasing the new edition if the first edition is already on your bookshelf.

Reviewer: Lin Fritschi, PhD, MBBS, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.