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Indian Pediatr 2012;49: 160
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Book Reviews |
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The Stethoscope & the Scalpel
Jimmy Mathew
Paras Medical Publisher, Hyderabad. 1 st
Ed, 2012.
Pages: 141; Price: 125/-.
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If I were to stumble upon it in a bookshop I might
stop and browse through ‘The stethoscope & the scalpel’. Having read
some of Abraham Verghese’s and Atul Gawande’s work, my anticipation of
discovering another outstanding Indian doctor-writer would be keen. The
book comprises of short and varied anecdotes making it a fast read. The
anecdotes describe some nightmarish situations in a doctor’s otherwise
humdrum life. I particularly enjoyed the ones that describe moral
dilemmas; euthanasia (‘Live and let live’); ideology (‘An ideological
struggle’); ethics (‘Doing the right thing’). The cover illustrations of
white people, while the anecdotes are based entirely in Trichur,
Pondicherry, and Calicut, and text replete with spelling and grammatical
mistakes, detract. While the author struggles manfully from one medical
(mis)adventure to another, the discerning reader is bound to trip over
the syntax.
It is hard enough to write anything. Many doctors
only write scholarly articles for scientific journals because career
progression is linked to published work; for that reason alone, it is
welcome to see a work with literary pretensions.
Navjeevan Singh
Coordinator, Medical Education Unit,
University College of Medical Sciences,
University of Delhi, Delhi 110 095, India.
Email:
[email protected]
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Master Pass: Revision Questions in Paediatrics.
Olamide Orekunrin and
Helen Chaplin
Byword Books; Delhi: 1 st
Ed, 2011,
Pages: 131; Price: 295/-
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The extended matching items/questions (EMIs or EMQs),
a format for objective assessment aimed particularly at analytical and
diagnostic ability, is similar to multiple choice questions (MCQs). One
of the few demerits of MCQs sought to be addressed by EMQs is the
ability to identify multiple correct options simultaneously, i.e., a
deeper assessment of the students’ analytical and reasoning skills. EMQs
are popularly used to assess medical students appearing for USMLE and
MRCPCH examinations. This book, based on the EMQ format, covers almost
all subspecialties except ‘genetic diseases’ and ‘physical growth and
anthropometry’. The explanations provided by the authors alongside the
correct response aid a quick recapitulation of the condition. It can be
suggested to the authors to provide a ‘diagnostic algorithmic approach’
and discuss a few common errors made by students. A few questions in the
section on ‘Public health’ have been designed keeping the epidemiology
of diseases in children in United Kingdom in mind. I would recommend
this book for undergraduate medical students appearing for postgraduate
examinations in national and international examinations.
Pooja Dewan
Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics,
University College of Medical Sciences and
Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital,
Delhi 110 095, India.
Email: [email protected]
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Diagnosis and Management of Neurological Disorders
UK Mishra and J Kalita
Wolters Kluwer Health (India), New Delhi; 2011,
429 pages; Price: not mentioned.
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The book comprises of 24 chapters of which 17
chapters pertain to neuro-infections. Although the title suggests that
the book is a comprehensive account of all neurological disorders, some
common neurological conditions such as headache, epilepsy and
degenerative disorders are not dealt with. There are state of art
chapters on Japanese encephalitis, rabies, emerging viral encephalitis,
neuroleptospirosis, neurocysticercosis, and leprosy. The chapters are
written in an easy to understand language and illustrated by good
quality photographs. There are plenty of EEG pictures. There is a box
with learning points at the end of each chapter, which makes a "ready
reckoner" for the students. Some of the recommendation for treatment
e.g. treatment of TB meningitis for 18 months are not consistent
with current guidelines. The book is primarily written for residents and
practitioners of medicine but the book will be of use to pediatricians
as well. The quality of production is excellent, and photographs are of
good quality. Overall a good addition for physicians and neurologists
working in India.
S Aneja
Director-Professor, Department of Pediatrics,
Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi, India.
Email: [email protected]
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