Overview
Practical General Practice is a highly practical manual, specifically designed for use during the consultation process. Containing over 1000 conditions, the unique underlying structure of the book allows the GP to see immediately what treatment is recommended and why. All recommendations are highly specific - giving a firm guide to the GP during the consultation process rather than a list of possibilities that the GP might wish to consider.
• Bullet points for action which give the GP an immediate summary of the issues that must be covered in the consultation.
• Bullet points of the key evidence which justifies those recommendations.
• All chapters thoroughly revised, to reflect changes in the evidence, and in major guidelines, since the last edition.
• NNT values provided when available
The book contains black-and-white illustrations.
Synopsis
This title has been prepared by general practitioners working in the UK. Practical General Practice is the leading guide to clinical management in primary care. It takes the form of a manual that can be used by the GP during consultation, but its recommendations are backed by the latest research evidence, so that it also serves as a GP's way into the general practice literature. Unlike other evidence-based guidance that is available either online or in paper format, it has an underlying structure which allows the GP to see immediately what treatment is recommended and why. Furthermore, those recommendations are concrete and specific, rather than a list of possibilities that the GP might wish to consider. The 5th edition has not only updated the material in the previous edition but has added new sections: for example, on chronic fatigue syndrome, eating disorders, MRSA, and domestic violence.
- Bullet points for action which give the GP an immediate summary of the issues that must be covered in the consultation.
- Bullet points of the key evidence which justifies those recommendations.
- All chapters thoroughly revised, to reflect changes in the evidence, and in major guidelines, since the last edition.
- NNT values provided when available
- Totally new sections: domestic violence, MRSA, eating disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, male hypogonadism, Addison's disease, hypercalcaemia.
- Accompanying website, http://www.practicalgeneralpractice.co.uk
Louisa C. Coutts-van Dijk
This is a well-established British general practitioner reference. This third edition has a CD version attached to the inside back cover. Brief practical guidelines are presented on more than 400 topics commonly encountered in primary care. This book is intended as a clinical vade mecum for general practitioners and GP trainees. Relevant epidemiology, patient presentation, assessment, and management guidelines from the primary care perspective are detailed; they are presented in bullet points. Patient education and indications for referral are also included. The authors state that their guidelines are not intended as a ""cookbook"" but as a practical starting point only. They stimulate the reader to explore other literature and to add annotations to the text. Despite the inherent difficulties with any guideline due to lack of evidence, lack of consensus, or cultural differences, the objectives of this book are admirably met. For a few of the guidelines one could quibble about the practicality or cost-effectiveness of the recommendations offered; these are small points. The range and choice of topics is excellent. There are separate chapters on health promotion, childhood problems, care of the elderly, substance abuse, and disability. Appendixes offer valuable additional information such as immunization schedules, BMI, and PFR tables. References to patient resources, guidelines, and journal articles are nationally oriented, which may disappoint some international readers. This book has a lot to offer not only to GPs, GP trainees, and family physicians but also nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Both the range and the choice of topics covered are excellent and reflect theextensive primary care experience of the two authors. The CD version included in the price enables the reader to do fast searches of the over 400 topics presented. This contributes to making this an excellent clinical quick reference that would come in handy on any primary care provider's desk.
Editorials
From the Publisher
This book saved my life when I started in general practice! — Mark Morris, General Practitioner, CornwallThis is an excellent, practical book of information, which covers a multitude of topics that GPs have to face! — Harry Brown, General Practitioner, Leeds
Louisa C. Coutts-van Dijk
This is a well-established British general practitioner reference. This third edition has a CD version attached to the inside back cover. Brief practical guidelines are presented on more than 400 topics commonly encountered in primary care. This book is intended as a clinical vade mecum for general practitioners and GP trainees. Relevant epidemiology, patient presentation, assessment, and management guidelines from the primary care perspective are detailed; they are presented in bullet points. Patient education and indications for referral are also included. The authors state that their guidelines are not intended as a ""cookbook"" but as a practical starting point only. They stimulate the reader to explore other literature and to add annotations to the text. Despite the inherent difficulties with any guideline due to lack of evidence, lack of consensus, or cultural differences, the objectives of this book are admirably met. For a few of the guidelines one could quibble about the practicality or cost-effectiveness of the recommendations offered; these are small points. The range and choice of topics is excellent. There are separate chapters on health promotion, childhood problems, care of the elderly, substance abuse, and disability. Appendixes offer valuable additional information such as immunization schedules, BMI, and PFR tables. References to patient resources, guidelines, and journal articles are nationally oriented, which may disappoint some international readers. This book has a lot to offer not only to GPs, GP trainees, and family physicians but also nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Both the range and the choice of topics covered are excellent and reflect theextensive primary care experience of the two authors. The CD version included in the price enables the reader to do fast searches of the over 400 topics presented. This contributes to making this an excellent clinical quick reference that would come in handy on any primary care provider's desk.From The Critics
Reviewer: Louisa C. Coutts-van Dijk, MD, MRCGP(Baylor College of Medicine)Description: This is a well-established British general practitioner reference. This third edition has a CD version attached to the inside back cover.
Purpose: Brief practical guidelines are presented on more than 400 topics commonly encountered in primary care.
Audience: This book is intended as a clinical vade mecum for general practitioners and GP trainees.
Features: Relevant epidemiology, patient presentation, assessment, and management guidelines from the primary care perspective are detailed; they are presented in bullet points. Patient education and indications for referral are also included. The authors state that their guidelines are not intended as a "cookbook" but as a practical starting point only. They stimulate the reader to explore other literature and to add annotations to the text. Despite the inherent difficulties with any guideline due to lack of evidence, lack of consensus, or cultural differences, the objectives of this book are admirably met. For a few of the guidelines one could quibble about the practicality or cost-effectiveness of the recommendations offered; these are small points. The range and choice of topics is excellent. There are separate chapters on health promotion, childhood problems, care of the elderly, substance abuse, and disability. Appendixes offer valuable additional information such as immunization schedules, BMI, and PFR tables. References to patient resources, guidelines, and journal articles are nationally oriented, which may disappoint some international readers.
Assessment: This book has a lot to offer not only to GPs, GP trainees, and family physicians but also nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Both the range and the choice of topics covered are excellent and reflect the extensive primary care experience of the two authors. The CD version included in the price enables the reader to do fast searches of the over 400 topics presented. This contributes to making this an excellent clinical quick reference that would come in handy on any primary care provider's desk.
3 Stars from Doody