Ferri's clinical advisor 2008 : instant diagnosis and treatment

Section I describes in detail over 700 medical disorders. Several new topics have been added to the 2008 edition. Medical topics in this section are arranged alphabetically, and the material in each topic is presented in outline format for ease of retrieval. Topics with an accompanying algorithm in Section III are identified with an algorithm symbol (ALG). Similarly, if topics also have a Patient Teaching Guide (PTG), this has been noted. Key, quick-access information is consistently highlighted; clinical photographs are used to further illustrate selected medical conditions; and relevant ICD-9CM codes are listed. Most references focus on current peer-reviewed journal articles rather than outdated textbooks and old review articles. Evidence-based medicine data has been added to relevant topics. Topics in this section use the following structured approach: 1. Basic Information (Definition, Synonyms, ICD-9CM Codes, Epidemiology & Demographics, Physical Findings & Clinical Presentation, Etiology) 2. Diagnosis (Differential Diagnosis, Workup, Laboratory Tests, Imaging Studies) 3. Treatment (Nonpharmacologic Therapy, Acute General Rx, Chronic Rx, Disposition, Referral) 4. Pearls and Considerations (Comments, Suggested Readings) 5. Evidence-Based Data and References Section II includes the differential diagnosis, etiology, and classification of signs and symptoms. This section has been significantly expanded for the 2008 edition. It is a practical section that allows the user investigating a physical complaint or abnormal laboratory value to follow a “workup” leading to a diagnosis. The physician can then easily look up the presumptive diagnosis in Section I for the information specific to that illness. Section III includes clinical algorithms to guide and expedite the patient's workup and therapy. For the 2008 edition, several new algorithms have been added and many others have been revised. Many physicians describe this section as particularly valuable in today's managed-care environment. Section IV includes normal laboratory values and interpretation of results of commonly ordered laboratory tests. By providing interpretation of abnormal results, this section facilitates the diagnosis of medical disorders and further adds to the comprehensive, “one-stop” nature of our text. Section V focuses on preventive medicine and offers essential guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Information in this section includes recommendations for the periodic health examination, screening for major diseases and disorders, patient counseling, and immunization and chemoprophylaxis recommendations. The Appendix contains common definitions used in complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), a listing of frequently used herbals with documented or suspected risks, and selected resources for complementary/alternative medicine. CAM has gained tremendous popularity; however, the gap between allopathy and CAM remains substantive. With the material in this appendix, we hope to lessen the current scarcity of exposure of allopathic and osteopathic physicians to the diversity of CAM therapies. As clinicians, we all realize the importance of patient education and the need for clear communication with our patients. Toward that end, practical patient instruction sheets, organized alphabetically and covering the majority of the topics in this book, are available in English and Spanish and can be easily customized and printed from any computer. Several new patient instruction sheets have been added to the 2008 edition. They represent a valuable addition to patient care and are useful to improve physician-patient communication, patient satisfaction, and quality of care. I believe that we have produced a state-of-the-art information system with significant differences from existing texts. It contains five sections, which could be sold separately based on their content, yet are available under a single cover, offering the reader a tremendous value. I hope that the Clinical Advisor's user-friendly approach, numerous unique features, and yearly updates will make this book a valuable medical reference, not only to primary care physicians but also to physicians in other specialties, medical students, and allied health professionals.