Product Description
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. Pocket manual provides key clinical data for students and residents. Includes areas of internal medicine, cardiology, pulmonary, gastroenterology, nephrology, hematology-oncology, infectious diseases, endocrinology, and rheumatology. Trim size: 7 x 4.5 inches. Flexible six-ring binder. DNLM: Internal Medicine–Hdbks…. More >>
Pocket Medicine: The Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Internal Medicine
#1 by Mitch on June 19th, 2010
Quote
Unfortunately, the previous reviews have failed to adequately address the role and purpose of this publication. Pocket Medicine, at least as I have used it, is the most concise and accurate reference for the practice of Internal Medicine in the United States as conducted at most teaching institutions today. It essentially covers all the major organ systems and disease processes as the most recent literature and textbooks recommend. Possession of this book will allow students, residents and staff to give patients the best care possible from evidence based medicine. You will shine on the wards and at morning report with this material. In fact, you could easily pass the Internal Medicine board certification exam if you knew everything in this book. For those practicing internal medicine from med students on up, it renders Scut Monkey, Ferre, Wash Manual, tarascon ICU books etc, all obsolete. Just look at the section about Swan Ganz monitoring -it’s all there. Look at microscopic polyangiitis- it’s all there. These are all real patients I’ve treated and this book works. More than half of the residents, students and staff in my hospital use it. Even surgeons own it. As medicine becomes more complex and scientifically based, publications such as this will be the only way to keep up. In fact, it’s very inexpensive for what you get. One caution is that it may be too advanced for 3rd year med students with a poor knowledge base. A wash manual may be a simpler way to start. Unfortunately, those people who gave it a poor review have simply demonstrated their complete ignorance of the modern scientific practice of medicine. I simply hope they never treat any of my relatives!
Rating: 5 / 5
#2 by Anonymous on June 19th, 2010
Quote
As a former Mass General resident, I got a kick out of seeing our humble housestaff manual transformed into a glamorous pocket notebook. And apparently a somewhat controversial transformation, given some of the extremely negative reviews that have been posted. Ignoring the commercial aspects of this debate for a moment, I think the manual contains solid and comprehensive information that should serve any housestaff well (it certainly did for me for 3 years!). It probably does not contain enough explanation for most 3rd and 4th year medical students and, as such, should be used to supplement another manual (such as Washington or Ferri).
Rating: 4 / 5
#3 by Kamie - IM Resident on June 19th, 2010
Quote
Although I consider this to be one of the best handbooks for a quick superficial review, there are several other books which allow for more in depth learning while on the wards… such as The Consult Manual of Internal Medicine & of course… The Washington Manual. I would definitely carry around, or at least have handy, one of these while on the wards. If you get Pocket Med, make sure you get the new edition (2nd) as there is a new neurology section which is very nice.
Rating: 4 / 5
#4 by Anthony Martinez on June 19th, 2010
Quote
I’ve used this book for three years and it is by far the best handbook. It provides a quick prep for attending rounds and morning report. I also have used it in preparation for the in service exam given each year. While obviously not an all encompassing text (and not intended to be) it is surprisingly complete. A good deal of information covered on the ABIM exam is actually in this book. My only gripe is the text – too small. Every IM intern and resident should carry this book and learn it in and out. Worth the 37 bucks.
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by N.A. on June 19th, 2010
Quote
I agree w/ many of the other reviews. This is a fantastic book for RESIDENTS, not medical students. It tends to gloss over basic information that any resident should already know. For that reason , the book is concise and has all the relevant info in order to manage patients. I also like the small notebook format, so I can add additional pages of info. I agree that this book does need a neuro/psych section to cover CVA/Seizures, delirium/dementia and ETOH withdrawal management. I’ve already worn my book out in the past two years and look forward to future editions. I have recommended this book to every intern I have supervised on the Wards…It is the only reference book I carry.
Rating: 5 / 5