As every year population sizes increase, new diseases are discovered and scientists make new drugs, there is a need for an updated and concise clinical text book for medical practitioners. The Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment (CMDT) authors did a very good job of this by writing a text book which can be updated annually, with a quick reference link to an online preview. It was first published in 1987 to 1999 by Appleton & Lange and from 2000 till 2009 copyrighted by McGraw-Hill Incorporated and has long history of presenting updated medical knowledge in every edition. This 48th edition has outstanding features which make the book easier to use.
This text book in internal medicine is trusted, authoritative, and essential to daily practice. It delivers the latest insights into signs, symptoms, epidemiology, etiology, and treatment for over 1,000 diseases and disorders. Look at any topic in these pages and find on the spot an evidence-based answer that reflects the most recent developments in diagnosis and treatment. This concise, authoritative reference covers the latest medical advances, prevention strategies, cost-effective treatments, and more.
In the chapters you will find comprehensive coverage of inpatient and outpatient care, focusing on the diagnostic tools relevant to day to day practice. There is also a full review of all primary care topics with an annual review of advances in HIV treatment and the essentials of diagnosis for most diseases/disorders. These are complemented by quick-access drug treatment tables, with indexed trade names and updated drug prices and ICD codes featured on the inside covers. You will find also diagnostic and treatment algorithms which present important information in an at-a-glance style. Up-to-date references provide peer-reviewed, evidence-based information.
Updated topics in this edition include topics in epidemiology, aetiology, and diagnosis and treatment recommendations; sections on asthma (includes 2007 NAEPP guidelines) and palpitations; more algorithms are provided throughout and there is increased coverage of Canadian and International Guidelines. The chapter on haemostasis and antithrombotic therapy has been improved. The End of Life chapter, now called Palliative Care & Pain Management, has been completely revamped. Colour inserts have been expanded to 16 pages with the latest developments in HIV infection, including new drugs, recommended treatment regimens, and antiretroviral drug resistance. Alternative medicine and complementary therapies are represented with sections on mind-body medicine; clinical hypnosis; biofeedback; mindfulness meditation; stress reduction and cognitive therapy and guided imagery.
CMDT Online is updated quarterly (www.accessmedicine.com) and provides full electronic access to CMDT 2009 plus expanded basic science information and four online-only chapters: Anti-infective Chemotherapeutic & Antibiotic Agents; Diagnostic Testing & Medical Decision Making; Basic Genetics, and Information Technology in Patient Care. Subscribers also receive access to the Diagnosaurus with 1000+ differential diagnoses and the CURRENT Practice Guidelines in Primary Care, 2008. Recent references are also provided, with unique identifiers (PubMed, PMID numbers) for rapid downloading of article abstracts and, in some instances, full-text reference articles.
As with any book there are a few points that need to be taken into consideration for future improvement. The cardiology chapter needs ECG and echocardiography pictures. Some topics such as cardiac resynchronisation theraphy and antiarrythmic drugs are treated as one. New drugs used in acute heart failure, e.g. levosimendan GP2b/3a, are not mentioned; there is nothing on drug-drug interaction, metabolism and the follow-up of patients. There are less flow charts in comparison to Kumar & Clark’s or Davidson’s volumes on clinical medicine.
Overall this is a very handy annually updated text book which can be used as a reference at a budget price in comparison to other books. It also has useful online access. It would be very interesting and informative for pre-med students and a ready reference for busy primary care practitioners and physicians.