Product Description

A concise, colourfully illustrated and highly informative textbook of paediatrics. Written primarily for medical students for their course in clinical paediatrics (6-10 weeks in duration in the UK and worldwide), the book has found a wider audience among nurses, trainee paediatricians preparing for the MRCPCH, and general practitioners preparing for the DCH. Throughout, there is an emphasis on the core fundamentals of paediatrics practice throughout the world, which has contributed to its success in Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East.

Why is the book so appealing? There are three main reasons: (1) the combined systems/symptoms approach, which is particularly suited to the study of children's illnesses; (2) the amount of detail covered in a very succinct style, making it appropriate for a wide range of students; and (3) the appealing way in which it is written and presented.

The following quotes from student/trainee reviewers explain these reasons even more clearly.

1. The book combines a traditional, systems-based approach with a symptoms-based approach, which is particularly appropriate to paediatrics. To quote from one student's review:

"Having topics such as 'acute abdominal pain', headache' or 'the unconscious child' at the start of a separate section within a chapter, with differentials, aetiologies, clinical signs and investigations, is very useful in getting students to constantly think of the way in which children would present to them in a medical setting. This helps them to design a logical way of thinking about specific presentations, as they are faced in their clinical career."

2. As mentioned above, the book has found a wide readership - from nurses and medical students to trainees in paediatrics. To quote from one trainee's review:

"It is so refreshing to come across a medical textbook that manages to convey key points, provide additional detail at a more advanced level, and make the acquisition of knowledge a pleasurable experience through interesting and varied presentation...This book is remarkable in that it manages to pitch itself at both an undergraduate level and at that of a paediatric SHO coming up to membership exams (especially clinical). Each time I have re-read it, I have taken in more information than on the previous occasion..."

3. The varied style of the book and the use of many different types of illustrations all contribute to its success. To quote from another review:

"The way the book is presented is integral to its success. For those...who tire easily reading textbooks, the bright and varied layout is extremely important. There is a good balance of photos, tables, flowcharts and text - and ...many people need variety in order to be able to assimilate and retain information effectively."

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11318 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 528 pages

About the Author
Tom Lissauer is a Consultant Paediatrician specialising in neonatal medicineat St. Mary's Hospital, a busy teaching hospital in the heart of London. Hisspecial interest is medical education. He is extensively involved in the development of undergraduate and postgraduate examinations, both in the UK and elsewhere. He has written several books on paediatrics and a Children's Guide to the Human Body.


Graham Clayden is Reader in Paediatrics at Guy's, Kings and St Thomas's School of Medicine, London, now, the largest medical school in Europe. He is actively involved in the definition and assessment of the core paediatric curriculum in the UK, which aims to define the knowledge and skills required by undergraduate and postgraduate students alike.

Customer Reviews

good, not perfect
The author of the foreword to this book suggests it is the best clinical text ever. Whilst this is a substantial overstatement it is probably the best undergraduate book in paeds. It begins with usful introductory chapters on paeds in general and history and examination then adopts a system based approach for the majority of the book. The text is mostly comprehensive and easy to read though sometimes lacks a scientific explanation for a condition and contains too much waffle. Sometimes critical information is left in a little informaiton box which is too brief and easily missed. Overall, an aduquate read for a 10 week paediatric attachment.

Average
2nd edition review (3 stars):
This book is over-rated, especially by the authors. It is colourful, has diagrams and pictures, and is interesting to read, but not very organised in any logical manner and contains a lot of waffle, while it lacks detail on many topics. It does not have an organised approach to the subject and is hard to use as a quick revision tool as it is not at all concise. It is probably better suited as a reference text but even then then structure of the book and lack of detail make it less useful.

3rd edition review (4 stars):
I found the new (3rd edition) of this book much better than the previous one (of which I was not a fan at all). Useful new summary boxes and text is slightly better organised with less irrelevant material and blabbering than the previous one. Pictures and illustrations are excellent as usual. Another welcome new feature is the 'case history' boxes to illustrate actual presentations.

Don't be sucked in by rumours
This book is glorified as the only way to pass paediatric finals and subsequent propagation of this rumour certainly led to many on my rotation being sorely disappointed.

In terms of coverage it clearly contains all that is required to pass paeds finals. But the layout of the book is dire, with an index that sends the reader on a wild goose chase rather than displaying key reference pages. The text is not succint and thus renders it useless as a compact revision aid.

It has clearly been written by authors of enormous clinical experience but the format and consitency mean this experience has not been translated into an effective text.

One section firmly states: 'It is important to differentiate between rigors and febrile convulsions.' yet any indication as to the way to go about this is nowhere to be found.

Ignore the rumours, you will pass with another text, and i suggest you do exactly that.