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book reviews

Indian Pediatr 2012;49: 160

Book Reviews

 

The Stethoscope & the Scalpel

Jimmy Mathew

Paras Medical Publisher, Hyderabad. 1st Ed, 2012.

Pages: 141; Price: 125/-.

 

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]

 

Master Pass: Revision Questions in Paediatrics.

Olamide Orekunrin and
Helen Chaplin

Byword Books; Delhi: 1st Ed, 2011,

Pages: 131; Price: 295/-

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]

 

 

Diagnosis and Management of Neurological Disorders

UK Mishra and J Kalita

Wolters Kluwer Health (India), New Delhi; 2011,

429 pages; Price: not mentioned.

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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