internal medicine

I heartily concour with the other reviewers that this pocket guide is great. I got a copy a few months ago but did not give it serious attention until last week when I needed to brush up on some topics in IM, in preparation for the USMLE Step III exams. Particularly, I was interested in step-by-step, practical management of certain conditions (most textbooks do not help here; they seem to pour everything on you, and expect you to make the right decisions).
I found Ferri's book both comprehensive and easy to use. It goes into unbelievable details for a book of its size, and it made the management of medical patients much simpler, by emphasizing the practical aspects of medical care.

For medical students,interns and residents who are rotating through general medical wards, this book provides concise and reasonably up to date information on common ailments encountered. It is a quick and brief way to review the mainpoints of disease (differential diagnosis, workup, treatment etc)on your way to morning report or before attending rounds. I found it easier to read than the washington manual.

Another plus is its compact size that can easily fit into your labcoat pocket and can therefore be available on the wards, on call and while sitting through lectures.

It is not, of course, a replacement to the Harrison's text--but who can carry harrison's around with them everyday??

The book is wonderfull. Just about everything a resident could ask for in one source. The material is carefully chosen and explained in a straight forward easy to understand format. I like it so much I went ahead and bought the new edition. My only dissapointment is the spiral style that is still being used and how flaky the pages are. It is not meant to last very long. Maybe that is the intent. Shame on Mosby! This is one area that deserves serious improvement!

Julian DiAvnati, M.D.