3 Review(s)

Kumar and Clark's Clinical Medicine has been praised over the years for the breadth and depth of its content and the clarity of its style and presentation, and this 5th edition carries on that tradition of excellence. Starting with information on infectious diseases, genetic diseases, and cell and molecular biology and immunology, the book then moves on to cover all the common and many rare diseases in the core 'body system' chapters. It also includes chapters on intensive care medicine, principles of therapeutics, as well as the important but slightly more peripheral subjects of nutrition, psychological medicine and dermatology. Throughout, the aim is to show the importance of the underpinning sciences in the understanding of clinical medicine and to explain clearly and in a consistent style the epidemiology, examination, differential diagnosis, investigations and management of disease. For this new edition, many new contributors have been brought into the team, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise as well as a fresh eye and approach; there is now a new chapter on ethics and communication, and there is new information throughout on the particular needs of the elderly. The colourful and innovative layout introduced in the 4th edition has been developed for the 5th edition to make the book easier to navigate and more pleasurable to read than ever before.one-volume textbook of medicine that bridges the gap between introductory and reference students know they can use the book from day 1 of their undergraduate course and beyondintegrates basic sciences with clinical medicine helps students see relationships; good for new-style integrated curriculafollows a deliberate policy of reviewing some pre-clinical information (cell and molecular biology; immunology) and including slightly more than undergraduates need in the disease chapters extends the books usefulness as a course text and reference book; the book students can turn to when they need further clarification of a problemcolourful and highly illustrated takes the pain out of studyingsupported by related books Ballinger and Patchett: Pocket Essentials and Baliga: MCQs these supplements are particularly useful for exams and they enhance the usefulness of the larger text good signposting within the book helps students find what they need and move around the text more easilyNew contributors and co-contributors brought in for the following chapters: Infectious Diseases, Nutrition, Gastroenterology, Liver, Haematological Disease, Medical Oncology, Cardiovascular Disease, Respiratory Disease, Intensive Care Medicine , Drug Therapy and Poisoning (formerly Adverse Drug Reactions) - fresh approach, ideas and expertise in their fieldsall chapters made more management-orientated - enhance book's practical sidenew chapter on Communications, Ethics and the Law - now an important part of all medical courses many chapters have been substantially revised, including, infectious diseases, medical oncology, nutrition, respiratory, psychological medicine - to address identified omissionsadditional information on the needs of the elderly, included in some chapters as appropriate- in draw to the attention of the student the multifactorial nature of so many diseases that affect the elderly, who constitute a high proportion of the patients seen by doctors? ? CHANGES FOR INDIVIDUAL CHAPTERS:Cell and molecular biology - now a separate chapter, split of from immunology - an important chapter, given the rapid change in the field and the implications for medical treatmentImmune System -more practical and relevant to clinical situation - a more appropriate treatment of this subject for this bookMedical oncology - completely rewritten e.g. now includes radiotherapy - this chapter identified as weak and with major omissionsWater, electrolytes and acid-base balance -more practical with case examples - in keeping with the plan to make the book more management focusedCardiovascular - more practical; e.g. advice about treatment of hypertension and cardiac failure - identified as shortcomings by editors and reviewersRespiratory - brand new contributors have given it a thorough overhaulDrug Therapy and Poisoning (new title) - rewritten; now to include information on evidence-based medicine and clinical trials? ? IMPROVEMENTS TO PRESENTATION:colour signposting of chapters maintained and made even more obvious normal values included on inside cover (rather than buried in appendix)boxes - made more logical and consistenttables - appearance improved; easier to readnew typeface - easier to read (darker, crisper)Scheme of headings made more logical and visually straightforward- all these changes are in response to suggestions from readers