Pocket Medicine: The Massachusetts General Hospital Handbook of Internal Medicine

Read an UpToDate article and then read about that topic in Pocket Medicine and you will see 99% of the information from Uptodate but in concise format, including references to key articles. This book is packed with information. However, it's more in bullet and table format than in paragraph form, so not easy to read from if you're learning about a topic for the first time. More of a reference to the key points in each disease process assuming that you know a little about it beforehand. For that, you need 5 minute clinical consults or something similar. Also, the index could use some more cross-indexing, it can be tough to find subjects sometimes if you are in a hurry. It's available for handhelds too...haven't tried it yet though.

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.

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.

This small ring bound book is an excellentresource for the most current diagnostic,prognostic,and therapeutic information when evaluating many patientsduring a limited time frame.Typically, the authors provide references after each subject, to which you can "quote"to your senior resident or attending or make a dash tothe library, only to return with copies of an up to date journalarticle to distribute on rounds while discussing your patient.One suggestion I offer for improvement would be to includea brief review of the basic neurological events that we are oftenfaced with on the wards, such as: CVA (ischemic/thrombotic), seizure,etiologies of dementia/delirium.

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!