Pros:

1) Tons of up-to-date practical information covering definitions, predisposing conditions, clinical manifestations, physical exam, diagnostic studies, treatment, etc.

2) Well-organized charts and tables balanced by information in outline format.

3) Ring binder and extra space on each page lend themselves to taking notes within the book.

Con:

Tiny font size.


Pocket Medicine Review   January 31, 2002
 11 out of 11 found this review helpful

This small ring bound book is an excellent
resource for the most current diagnostic,prognostic,
and therapeutic information when evaluating many patients
during a limited time frame.Typically, the authors provide references after each subject, to which you can "quote"
to your senior resident or attending or make a dash to
the library, only to return with copies of an up to date journal
article to distribute on rounds while discussing your patient.
One suggestion I offer for improvement would be to include
a brief review of the basic neurological events that we are often
faced with on the wards, such as: CVA (ischemic/thrombotic), seizure,etiologies of dementia/delirium.


a "balanced" view from a former MGH housestaff...   January 6, 2003
 11 out of 11 found this review helpful

As a former Mass General resident, I got a kick out of seeing our humble housestaff manual transformed into a glamorous pocket notebook. And apparently a somewhat controversial transformation, given some of the extremely negative reviews that have been posted. Ignoring the commercial aspects of this debate for a moment, I think the manual contains solid and comprehensive information that should serve any housestaff well (it certainly did for me for 3 years!). It probably does not contain enough explanation for most 3rd and 4th year medical students and, as such, should be used to supplement another manual (such as Washington or Ferri).