Overview
This unique new resource directs readers to the most efficient and cost-effective imaging and laboratory studies for any diagnostic challenge. Written by best-selling author Fred Ferri, MD, FACP, FERRI'S BEST TEST presents complete guidance on both radiologic and laboratory approaches in a single, user-friendly source.
It is available in soft-cover book format, and as software for most handheld devices.
• Describes the most common imaging studies for each organ system, reviewing their indications · advantages · disadvantages · and approximate costs.
• Examines over 200 laboratory tests, describing the normal range of results in adult patients · typical abnormalities (positive tests, increased or decreased values) · and the likeliest causes
• Explores 222 common diseases and disorders, providing algorithms to help readers select the single best test for diagnosing each condition.
• Uses a concise, well-organized format to make reference remarkably easy.
• Available both as a pocket-sized, soft-cover book, and as software for most handheld devices.
Editorials
From The Critics
Reviewer: Valerie L. Ng, PhD MD(Alameda County Medical Center/Highland Hospital)Description: This small spiral bound pocket book is a concise guide to diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests for patient care.
Purpose: The purpose is to create a practical and concise guide to the clinical use of imaging studies and laboratory tests. The author has succeeded in his stated purpose.
Audience: The book was intended for use by medical students, interns, residents, practicing physicians, and other healthcare personnel who are involved with diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing. The author has succeeded in creating a guide that would be of greatest benefit to those early in their medical training (i.e., medical students, interns, and residents) or those in the allied health professions (i.e., nurses, physician assistants, clinical laboratory scientists, radiology technologists, etc.).
Features: This book can easily fit into the pocket of a laboratory coat and will be heavily used by those early in their medical careers. Although small, this book is surprisingly complete in its overview of diagnostic imaging and laboratory testing. The first of the book's three sections covers diagnostic imaging, replete with informative and useful radiographs, with useful bullet points outlining the indications for specific tests and associated strengths and weaknesses. The second section is an alphabetical listing of laboratory tests, reference ranges for each analyte, and clinical conditions in which the test will be abnormal. The final section contains diagnostic algorithms for the evaluation of suspected disorders. What I really liked about this last section was the identification of the best tests (for diagnostic imaging and laboratory tests), while also listing ancillary tests that could also be helpful. The major omission in this book, from the laboratory medicine perspective, is the lack of a brief overview of test sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and likelihood ratios, and tabulation of these values (when possible) for each laboratory test.
Assessment: This book would be extraordinarily helpful to medical students and interns. Those further along in training should have assimilated this information into their daily practice. Allied health practitioners might also find this book useful.
3 Stars from Doody