BOOK REVIEWS
Advanced Medicine Recall
Edited by James D. Bergin, MD. 787 pp, $46.95.
ISBN-13: 978-0-7817-7629-5. Baltimore, MD: Lip-
pincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009.
dvanced Medicine Recall, edited by
A James D. Bergin, MD, is part of the
Recall series by Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins, which includes 13books in the
clinical sciences. Only one of the books
in this seriesOsteopathic Medicine
Recallfeatures content with specific
appeal to the osteopathic medical pro-
fession. Nevertheless, all the books in
the seriesespecially Advanced Medicine
Recallhave much to offer their target
audience of medical students. Geared
toward fourth-year medical students,
interns, and residents, Advanced
Medicine Recall is a higher-level text than
is Medicine Recall, which is in the same
series and is aimed more in the direction
of third-year medical students.
Advanced Medicine Recall is written
in a question-and-answer format that
approximates the style of teaching
rounds that have been conducted in
teaching hospitals for many years. A
bookmark is included so that one might
occlude the answers on the right side of
the page while reading the questions on
the left side. At the top of this bookmark
is the helpful reminder, Remember to
wash your hands, and respect the
patients modesty and confidentiality.
The two-page introduction in Sec-
tionI is very sound, offering 12 pearls
that medical professionals should heed
and reread from time to time. For
example, When you write something in
the chart, think how it would sound
were it to be read aloud in court. If you
write your notes that way, you will
always be safe.
The chapters in Sections II and III
are organized by clinical specialty area.
Included among the 15covered special-
ties are cardiology, infectious disease,
oncology, environmental science, neu-
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rology, and psychiatry. Each chapter many educational settings. For example,
begins with a list of abbreviations and when I looked up hemochromatosis in
definitions related to the specialty. Fol- the index, I was referred to a single page
lowing the list are questions and answers in the gastroenterology chapter con-
about conditions encountered in that taining five questions. I found these
specialty, grouped according to various questions to be interesting but of lim-
topics. For example, under the topic of
pericardial disease in the cardiology
chapter, there are 21 questions,
ited usefulness in diagnosing or man-
aging the condition or in assessing risk
of complications. Neither the prevalence
including, What are some of the auto- of hemochromatosis nor the risks of cir-
immune causes of pericarditis? How rhosis or cardiac disease from iron over-
is a pulsus paradoxus exam performed? load are mentioned on this page
and What is seen on the echocardio- though patients are described as having
gram in pericardial constriction? a 20- to 30-fold increased risk of hepa-
Section IV, the final section of the tocellular carcinoma even if they do not
book, covers the roles and responsibili- have cirrhosis. The page also leaves out
ties of the consultant. Contained in this treatment for patients with hemochro-
section are questions and answers on matosis.
several topics, including preoperative For readers who like medical fac-
clearance of the surgical patient, antibi- toids, this will be a popular volume.
otic prophylaxis before surgery, and However, it seems to me that time might
perioperative management of the dia- be better spent reviewing such under-
betic patient. lying concepts as pathophysiology,
For readers who enjoy the challenge screening, and strategies for diagnosis
of the question-and-answer format, and treatment.
Advanced Medicine Recall is an excellent In summary, for those readers who
book. The reader can obtain bits of infor- like the challenge of questions and who
mation quickly from leafing through the enjoy leafing through pages for infor-
pages. This book will not provide the mation during times that might other-
reader with an overall view of patho- wise be idle, Advanced Medicine Recall is
physiology or help the reader piece a good and useful book. However, do
together diagnoses or treatment plans not expect a review of pathophysiology,
for patients with comorbid problems. diagnosis, or management. If what
In addition, for readers who recall youre looking for is a pocket reference
the anxiety produced by relentless ques- guide, I suggest that you consider other
tioning from attendings on rounds, this volumes.
book may not be in the best format. It
may evoke memories of the not-partic- Sarah P. Towne, DO, MS
Walnut Creek, California
ularly-useful What am I thinking?
game of roundsmanship practiced in
Editors Note: Physicians, faculty members, and others within the healthcare professions
who are interested in serving as book reviewers for the JAOA are invited to send a letter
of interest and curriculum vitae to the JAOAs Book Review Editor Frederick J. Goldstein,
PhD, at jaoa@osteopathic.org.
Readers are encouraged to submit copies of recently published books that they wish
to be considered for review to the JAOAs editorial assistant at 142 E Ontario St, Chicago,
IL 60611-2864. The JAOA is especially interested in books written by members of the
osteopathic medical profession and books that address the professions mission.
Book Reviews