Reviewer: Vincent F Carr, DO, MSA, FACC, FACP(Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences)
Description: This is a very convenient pocket-sized, ring-bound book containing almost all of the basic physiology housestaff need to have at their fingertips. The previous edition was published in 2007.
Purpose: The stated purpose is to provide a concise description of the initial approach to and management of common inpatient medical problems. Considering the spectrum of the housestaff manuals available, this is significantly more practical than most.
Audience: This is a valuable asset for every housestaff member, although with a necessarily very small font size, which might make it tough for some eyes.
Features: While generally organized by organ systems, the chapters look at specific topics such as electrocardiography, pericardial disease, sepsis, renal failure, urinalysis, etc. This edition has new sections such as sleep apnea, viral respiratory infections, and guidance on some medical topics currently under discussion such as intensive glycemic control and infections in susceptible hosts. There are numerous helpful tables, algorithms, and figures.
Assessment: This is one of the top of the line manuals in a crowd of housestaff-oriented publications. Its size and plastic cover make it extremely utilitarian and easy to carry without destroying. I highly recommend this to medical students and residents just beginning their careers.