Reviews (12)

Excellent book for chiropractic students
I used this book along with Mosby's Physical Examination book and easily passed my Physical Diagnosis class in chiropractic college. These two book also served as excellent references for Parts II, III and IV of the national chiropractic boards. I also found Dr. Leonardi's National Board of Chiropractic Part II Study Guide: Key Review Questions and Answers, to be an excellent source for the boards. I also found Leonardi's Part III Study Guide and Part IV study guides to be right on the mark. These books helped me with passing the boards. Bates Book is needed as a great building block for learning Physical Examination--Heart, head and Neck, Chest and lungs, abdomen etc.

Good, but maybe you'll want better.
This is an excellent and thorough text on the physical exam. The only problem is that its based on "the way things have always been done" instead of emerging controlled trials evaluating H+P techniques objectively. You might consider purchasing one of the new evidence-based medicine physical exam texts that are beginning to pop up (Ask your docs about recommendations). Preview them first, because not all of them teach the actual techniques or present the differential diagnosis of findings as well as Bates. They do, however, actually include numbers (percentages, Likelihood ratios, etc) to tell you how sensitive and specific (read how useful) these methods really are. These numbers will be critical to you later in evidence-based practice (which is not what all physicians now practice) in order to determine the pre- and post-test (lab, X-ray, etc.) probabilities of your differential diagnoses.
Buying an evidence-based text now would save you from having to buy both like I did.

Still looking for a good physical exam book
This book was written for no one in mind. It reads as a single run-on sentence from page one to the end. You cannot learn physical exam from it (or from any other book -- you simply have to practice) and Bates is a rather mediocre reference if you need to find out how to examine this or that.

Physical exam is a dying art and I'm yet to find a semi-decent modern text on the subject.

Excellent Physical Examination textbook.
I am a first year medical student and use this book in our physical diagnosis course. I found this book easy to read with good illustrations. Diagrams were useful in understanding the text. I found the heart sounds CD to be extremely useful in understanding the cardiac cycle and how it relates to heart murmurs. I haven't seen other physical diagnosis textbooks but I can say that this one is very user friendly.

Errors, errors, and more errors!
This book at one time was good I am told, but the 8th edition (2002) is now outdated with many errors. The CD on heart sounds which is included is insulting to medical students. The book has terrible photographs which make the patients look jaundiced or cyanotic. I am sorry I bought it. There is no question that Swartz's book on physical diagnosis is the best. Swartz has a great free CD on the complete physical exam which is included with the book. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A style manual you will rarely close
The specific goal of the American Medical Association Manual of Style: A Guide for Authors and Editors is to codify and collect the myriad instructions, rules, and dictums that AMA applies to the many journals, books, and other publications that are printed under its imprint. The more general goal, perhaps not stated, is to broaden the influence of those standards so they encompass more of the medical publishing community.

The book, developed by a committee of writers, editors, and publishers, is organized around five major categories, Preparing an Article for Publication, Style, Terminology, Measurement and Quantitation, and Technical Information. Each of these categories is, in turn, broken down into chapters that probe various aspects of each category. Finding information is easy, and the writers have used examples generously to make the points clear.

The first section, Preparing an Article for Publication, is, naturally slanted more toward authors and those who toil to prepare author's manuscripts for publication. There are many guidelines offering advice that ranges from preparing the abstract to preparing any of six different types of acknowledgments. Editors and copy editors would do well to review this chapter as well. The section on citing Web sites alone is crucial reading.

I suspect, but cannot prove, that many researchers will not read deeply beyond the opening chapter, feeling that the remaining sections are more the province of copy editors and journal editors. Perhaps there is some merit to that line of thinking, but all authors in the medical sciences would benefit from the copious advice here, and the better writers, I'm sure, do follow the principles of grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and usage set forth in the section on style. Common mistakes, such as confusing case and patient, redundancies, and the ever so ticklish topic of race/ethnicity are some of the many points discussed thoroughly.

The section on terminology is so mind-bogglingly detailed that all one can hope to do is remember that the AMA Style Guide will almost always have the answer if you have a question about an abbreviation (how many times is something mistakenly called an acronym instead of an initialism?), medical nomenclature (a huge chapter that is the heart of the book), or eponyms (which, thanks to this guide may now be a topic we can quit haggling over).

Measurement and Quantitation continue to be a bane for many writers and editors, though without delving too much into specifics, let's say that this section will answer most questions but not without careful reading and perhaps a look at the Chicago Manual of Style for a bit clearer presentation on this topic. The chapter on statistics, unique to this guide, notes how to express confidence intervals, confirms that the word Student in Student t test is capitalized (sorry, but this text editor on Amazon.com does not display the italic t), provides a list of statistical symbols and abbreviations, and offers valuable tips about displaying equations. And those examples barely hint at the wealth of information here.

A final section on technical information provides a thumbnail guide to good layout and design of printed materials, worthy sets both of copyediting marks and proofreading marks (which are no doubt often photocopied and posted in a visible location), an excellent primer on how to edit hard copy, and a glossary of publishing terms.

If you are a medical writer or editor, odds are that you already either have a copy of this guide or you borrow one from a colleague. If you are an aspiring medical communicator, you will need your own copy so you can mark in it, attach tabs, and leave open on your desk.

thank you cheryl ýverson for that work
I read the book , I feel that work is very nice ,and I give that 5 star ,

I recommend it for all medical writers
I really liked this book. I was searching for such a useful manual for a long time, and at last found it! It is not only helpful and authorative but also written in a very user-friendly fashion. All those who are involved in medical writing can learn from (and perhaps enjoy) this book. Go on and take a look at it before starting to write your next piece! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (2)

It never leaves my desk
While it seems like a large chunk of change, this book is worth every penny. Ever since I've purchased it, many of my colleagues (I'm a social scientist at KU) ask to borrow it, but I never let it go. Just about any question I have about qualitative research can be answered, to some degree, with this book. What's more, even in some of the more controversial areas of qualitative research the book points to other readings that may shed light on alternate perspectives.

Just buy the book. I did, and I don't regret it for a moment. It's also nice in that it covers a wide variety of disciplines and contexts -- journalists, sociologists, communicologits, psychologists, and political scientists can all use the book with equal ease. One area, though, that I've heard the book is not as strong toward is anthropology. If you're an anthropologist, you may want to check out Holstein's interviewing methods book.

Research Reviews Research Handbook
These knowledgeable and experienced authors have assembled cutting eduge chapters on the new dimensions researchers have available for doing quantitative research. Of special interest to this reader is the chapter on feminist research. A thorough and scholarly look at objective research in the area of gender issues. This should be of especial help to men who are trying to do a good job in writing and researching while examining their own possible biases. This is a "must have" reference! ... Read more

Book Description

Managers of health information will appreciate the real-world focus of Information Management for Health Care Professions, 2E.While covering all the foundational content, it focuses on the managers role in utilizing data as an asset and planning and setting procedures for its proper storage, maintenance, usage, and security. Updated chapters explore the latest legislation affecting health data as well as the utilization of data warehousing, web technologies and database management systems in health information practice.Review questions and other pedagogical features make it an ideal review text and professional reference. ... Read more

Book Description

"We want people to listen to us. . . . Focus group interviewing is about listening. It is about paying attention. . . . being nonjudgmental. . . .When used appropriately, the process improves listening and the results can be used to benefit the people who shared the information. And people go away feeling good about having been heard."

--Richard A. Krueger & Mary Anne Casey, from the Preface

This highly acclaimed book in its third edition includes the following updates and improvements:

- Vignettes drawn from small and large focus groups that illustrate problems that come up and effective ways to resolve the issues.

- Designing questions for asking effective questions to draw out a group and how to refine them based on the group’s responses.

- Collaborative Approach updated to address the latest ways to implement the empowerment and action research.

- Budgeting how to more effectively budget for a focus group

- Coding how to more effectively use existing software packages to code and analyze the results of a focus group.

Reviews (5)

Wow, Surprisingly Good....
If you are looking for a solid foundation in conducting focus groups, this is your book. From initial planning to post group interview analysis, it provides a fantastic and comprehensive overview on preparing and conducting focus group research. It is particularly useful for marketing and research professionals looking to take their first steps into the world of focus groups. I purchased the book to help with my consulting practice and have been very pleased. Overall grade: A-/A

Focus groups
This was a wonderful guide for conducting focus groups for beginners. The book is easy to read and understand. I highly recommend it for anyone who is interested in conducting focus group research.

User friendly - not research friendly
This book contains a great deal of information about conducting focus groups and is very easy to use; however, the format is far too simplistic. Focus groups are a research technique; this book takes the approach of "so easy even a child could do it." Although it is filled with information and guidelines about appropriate techniques and uses for data, the lighthearted format undermines the serious nature of data collection and analysis. The second edition was much better as a comprehensive guide to focus groups that maintained some research integrity.

Incidentally, I suspect that Paladin Red actually reviewed the second edition. The third edition does not contain appendices after each chapter - another unfortunate loss from the earlier edition.

A superb research guide!
Krueger's book on focus groups has been by far the most useful guide in terms of the step-by-step approach used. Everything from concise budgeting techniques to handling those "difficult" participants are outlined neatly and in a straight-forward fashion. The appendices after each chapter are also really helpful especially for beginner researchers such as myself. I borrowed this book from the library for a summer marketing research job and it was all I needed for the focus group portion. Recommended to me by my marketing prof, I in turn highly recommend it!

qualitative research has never been so beautiful
this book is great, the application to research in marketing and business is incredible, and straight forward, a must have. ... Read more

Book Description

This book gives the reader important accounts of basic statistical procedures used in clinical trials. It covers several areas of study, including biostatics, biomathematics, biometry and epidemiology. There is emphasis for trialists to learn good methodology while giving quality clinical treatment. Discusses and explores controversial issues such as ethics and offers pragmatic information regarding allegations of fraud or misconduct. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

presents clinical trials issues and methodology clearly
This book is very unique. Basic statistical concepts are clearly presented but only those concepts that are important in clinical trials. The author presents all the issues with clinical trials including ethical issues with some historical perspective. Principles of randomization and statistical design are clearly presented. It offers discussion of Bayesian techniques and meta-analyses, cross-over designs and group sequential methods (interim analyses). For statisticians doing clinical research like myself, this is a valuable reference source.

The best start in clinical trial
The amount of knowledge and the scope of this book are the exact need for the first contact with clinical trials. Yet, it is not a simple or superficial text. Instead, it not only will guide the reader through the basics of trials (and there is so much that is not basic in it) but the author points the reader to hundreds of papers and books that are landmarks. I regard this book itself as one of these landmarks!

Most up-to-date and thorough cover of Clinical Trials
Covers many aspects of trials (particularly facets of design and analysis)not yet covered by other books, eg randomisation with minimisation, and meta-analysis of trial results. Readable, applicable, practical, good references, well structured. ... Read more

Book Description

Already the number one text on health policy and rapidly becoming a classic, Understanding Health Policy: A Clinical Approach 3E covers such fundamental topics as cost containment, health insurance, managed care, and physician and hospital payment. Extensive case histories, drawn from the authors' actual practice, bring to life important policy issues by pinpointing individual encounters within the healthcare system.

New to this Edition

* More information on 2-tier model of reimbursement
* Greater emphasis on defined contribution approach to controlling costs
* Includes comparative information on health care policy in Canada, the UK, and Germany
* "Questions & Discussion Topics" provided for each chapter to stimulate classroom discussion

Please consider this important new edition for your course.Your students will gain an engaging text, that according to a review by the Journal of Health, Politics, Policy, and Law of the prior edition, "goes a long way toward helping readers understand how the health care system has worked in the past, how it is changing, and how it might work under different scenarios in the future." ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Must Know Knowledge For MD's To Be
This book was a requirment for my medical school curriculum. Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. I've never read any other books on health policy, so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I thought it was an excellent books. It is very well written, very easy to understand and extremely informative. I believe anyone interested in health care, medicine, etc. should obtain the knowledge in this book and what better source than "Understanding Health Policy".

Get ahead in life
I read this book when I was transitioning from undergrad to PA school. It turned out to be a great move. From what I've seen so far, health policy is a very relevant topic with both the school of medicine and PA school. And why wouldn't it be?!
The only drawback with this book is that it has way too many vignettes. They're very real, but after awhile, I just skimmed over them.
If you're beginning your professional studies, I also recommend picking up a medical terminology, anatomy, and pathophysiology book. Good luck to ya!

Difficult to find a better overview for students
I used this book in undergraduate health policy programs and in one health care administration graduate elective. The majority of students found it to be a useful introduction to the difficult area of health policy. By incorporating pertinent examples and graphs students found the text more understandable and useful than say other required readings like Paul Starr's classic. Whatever their level of understanding coming into class, students were able to glean valuable information and insight.

My reservation is similar to many books, e.g., by the time of publication much has changed. However, there is relevant material and with supplements this will remain a valuable resource.

Good resource book!
This is a very good resource book for understanding the healthcare policy process. I think all undergraduate nursing students could benefit from having this book in their collection. ... Read more

Book Description

Bernard Rosner's FUNDAMENTALS OF BIOSTATISTICS is a practical introduction to the methods, techniques, and computation of statistics with human subjects. It prepares students for their future courses and careers by introducing the statistical methods most often used in medical literature. Rosner minimizes the amount of mathematical formulation (algebra-based) while still giving complete explanations of all the important concepts. As in previous editions, a major strength of this book is that every new concept is developed systematically through completely worked out examples from current medical research problems. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Comprehensive introduction to biostatistics
This book isn't for everyone, but if you want a wide ranging textbook with a little more mathematical detail than the other intro books, this is a great choice. Rosner explains concepts well and with many examples that help the reader to understand them. The flowcharts at the back of the book were written to help readers choose the right test for the right situation, and these are extremely valuable. The only problem with the book is that it is sometimes hard to sit down and read it without any preparation (e.g., lecture or prior knowledge).

well written introductory text
Bernard Rosner is a Harvard Professor of Biostatistics. He has written an introductory text for undergraduate and graduate medical school students. It covers the basics of probability and inference including categorical data. Other topics include regression, correlation and survival analysis. It is written for students with no math beyond high school algebra but common mathematical notation is freely used. It includes a diskette with data for examples. Many examples are given to illustrate the concepts and SAS ouput is used to illustrate the results and familiarize the students so that they can interpret statistical output. Many exercises are given at the end of each chapter. Several require use of the data sets on the diskette. I think the author has been careful to try to make the subject understandable to medical students. He also has used the lectures notes that were the basis of the text in courses he taught in the Harvard Medical School. So he knows his audience. A unique feature is the catergorizing of exercises by medical specialty.

Rosner tries to fill an important need and does a good job. He avoids heavy mathematics without turning the text into a cookbook. This is now the fourth edition. So many improvements have been made. I gave it 4 stars. It probably deserves 4 and 1/2 stars.

....

Check the local library then buy it!
If you want a biostatistics text that is difficult to read, poorly laid out and impossible to understand I suggest you buy this book. I did and returned it quickly. A reference text that is better suited for the beginner and serious student would be the Dawson-Saunder, Trapp text Basic & Clinical Biostatistics, 1st or 2nd edition ... Read more

Book Description

Provides immediate help for anyone preparing a biomedical paper by givin specific advice on organizing the components of the paper, effective writing techniques, writing an effective results sections, documentation issues, sentence structure and much more. The new edition includes new examples from the current literature including many involving molecular biology, expanded exercises at the end of the book, revised explanations on linking key terms, transition clauses, uses of subheads, and emphases. If you plan to do any medical writing, read this book first and get an immediate advantage. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Authoritative
Authoritative guide on how to write. I have never seen a more comprehensive book on how to write clearly and write well. I would give it 6 stars if I could. Even non-scientists should read this. (Having said that, though, scientists IN PARTICULAR should read this - hint, hint.)

Great methods for improving your medical writing
Mimi Zeiger has written a truly useful book about medical writing. Many specialized writing books are just collections of general writing rules in disguise.

This books focuses on mechanics and methods of writing specifically for the medical sciences. Full of hands-on techniques, methods, and exercises geared to analyzing and improving your writing.

I'm an experienced technical writer yet still found this book quite useful.
Five stars!

Excellent Book - Best of its kind.
This is an exceptional book. It walks the reader through all stages of writing a biomedical paper, and exemplifies the saying that "clear writing means clear thinking". Even after having written or co-written perhaps 40 biomedical papers and grants, I found this book an eye-opener. I've worked with some excellent writers and re-writers on biomed papers, but Zeiger's book lays out for all of us what some top writers may do by instinct. She starts with word choice, sentence structure, then alternative paragraph structures. She practically shows you the nature of language and thought. She goes through the right way to produce biomed papers - if you ever thought the great, efficient writers had a rule book -you- never got, THIS is the rule book. If you ever had an introduction that sounded like the abstract, or a results sections that was unwieldy, or a discussion section that seemed to repeat the introduction - Zeiger lays out the hidden rules that most people would want to follow. Following her rules, from sentence to paragraph to section, creates a paper that invokes an instinctive sense of clarity in the reader. Many times I had the "Aha!" feeling. The book should be very useful for all kinds of clear writing, including research grants. I never took one of those "scientific writing" classes because I felt smart and fluent and the classes seemed pedestrian. If those classes had used this book, I would have been way ahead to have discovered this information twenty years ago. ... Read more

Book Description

The practice of modern medicine requires sophisticated information technologies with which to manage patient information, plan diagnostic procedures, interpret laboratory results, and conduct research. This book, inspired by a Stanford University training program developed to introduce health professionals to computer applications in modern medical care, fills the need for a high quality text in computers and medicine, and meets the growing demand by practitioners, researchers, and students for a comprehensive introduction to key topics in the field. The work is designed for a broad audience interested in the intersection of computer science and medicine.

Medical Informatics provides both a conceptual framework and a practical inspiration for this swiftly emerging scientific discipline. As a textbook for students of medical computer science, and a reference work for individual readers needing to understand the role computers can play in the provision of medical services, the book first explains basic concepts, then illustrates them with specific systems and technologies. For example, it describes computing systems for medical records, nursing, hospital information, pharmacy, radiology, patient monitoring, decision support, medical education, and office practice. The ultimate aim of the editors has been to focus on recurrent themes in medical informatics, medical computing applications, and future direction for research, as well as to clarify the definition, and to nurture the effectiveness, of healthcare computing.

Highlights: -Provides the conceptual base needed for understanding and implementing application in medical informatics -Presents sample of how computers assist in the delivery of health care -Includes pointers to additional literature, chapter summaries, and concise definition of recurring terms for self-study or classroom use.

New for the 2/e: -System Design and Engineering -Ethics of Health Informatics: Privacy, Confidentiality, Security and Legal Issues -System Evaluation and Technology Assessment -Public Health and Consumer Use of Health Information: Education, Research, Policy, Prevention and Quality Assurance -Healthcare Financing: Impact on Health Information Systems ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent overview
This second edition of Shortliffe's textbook is an excellent overview of the field. Although I used it as a course text, it is extremely readable. The chapters are not overly technical, as befits an introductory text, but by no means is this a "Dummmies" book either.

There are now a variety of introductory/overview books on medical informatics. However, of the ones I've read (including van Bemmel's Handbook of Medical Informatics and Coiera's Guide to Medical Informatics), this book is by far the best. ... Read more

Book Description

Praise for the First Edition of Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials
"An excellent book, providing a discussion of the clinical trial process from designing the study through analyzing the data, and to regulatory requirement . . . could easily be used as a classroom text to understand the process in the new drug development area."
-Statistical Methods in Medicine
A complete and balanced presentation now revised, updated, and expanded
As the field of research possibilities expands, the need for a working understanding of how to carry out clinical trials only increases. New developments in the theory and practice of clinical research include a growing body of literature on the subject, new technologies and methodologies, and new guidelines from the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH).
Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials, Second Edition provides both a comprehensive, unified presentation of principles and methodologies for various clinical trials, and a well-balanced summary of current regulatory requirements. This unique resource bridges the gap between clinical and statistical disciplines, covering both fields in a lucid and accessible manner. Thoroughly updated from its first edition, the Second Edition of Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials features new topics such as:
* Clinical trials and regulations, especially those of the ICH
* Clinical significance, reproducibility, and generalizability
* Goals of clinical trials and target population
* New study designs and trial types
* Sample size determination on equivalence and noninferiority trials, as well as comparing variabilities
Also, three entirely new chapters cover:
* Designs for cancer clinical trials
* Preparation and implementation of a clinical protocol
* Data management of a clinical trial
Written with the practitioner in mind, the presentation assumes only a minimal mathematical and statistical background for its reader. Instead, the writing emphasizes real-life examples and illustrations from clinical case studies, as well as numerous references-280 of them new to the Second Edition-to the literature. Design and Analysis of Clinical Trials, Second Edition will benefit academic, pharmaceutical, medical, and regulatory scientists/researchers, statisticians, and graduate-level students in these areas by serving as a useful, thorough reference source for clinical research. ... Read more

Book Description

Newly appointed principal research investigators have to recruit, motivate, and lead a research team, manage personnel and institutional responsibilities, and compete for funding, while maintaining the outstanding scientific record that got them their position in the first place. Small wonder, then, that many principal investigators feel ill-prepared. In this book, a successor to her best-selling manual for new recruits to experimental science, At the Bench, Kathy Barker provides a guide for newly appointed leaders of research teams, and those who aspire to that role. With extensive use of interviews and a text enlivened with quotes and real-life examples, Dr. Barker discusses a wide range of management challenges and the skills that promote success. Her book is a unique and much-needed contribution to the literature of science. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Fantastic for the new professor
I love this book and only wish it was published when I was first starting a faculty position. Definitely a biologist's perspective (and a lab-oriented one at that), but it covers many of the trials and tribulations of starting a new faculty position: setting up a lab, assessing priorities, making hires, managing committees, managing colleagues, etc.

The worst part of the job is often maintaining harmony in the lab (which, of course, we're never taught in graduate school), and Barker has great advice on building or rebuilding lab morale, dealing with lab member disputes, and the dreaded firing process. I recommend this book wholeheartedly!

Don't be caught without it!
This book is extremely useful for all levels of scientists. An intresting read that will leave you feeling a whole lot wiser.

An outstanding primer to managing a laboratory
Scientific faculty are chosen for their ability to do science; not to manage it. Indeed, many young scientists fail precisely because they are unable to shift from the bench to the office. Kathy Barker's book provides a wealth of information for new investigators. The advice, gleaned from interviews with a great many scientists, from Nobel laureates to those that have failed miserably, provides an outstanding road map for those embarking on this critical new phase of their career. No postdoc will leave my lab without receiving a copy as a parting gift.

waste your money on something else
I guess you will only need the trivial advice presented in this book if you lack any common sense or if you should not have become a principial investigator in the first place. I found this book more or less useless.

Must have for all research lab heads
This is a fantastic book. The author interviewed about a hundred new and seasoned lab leaders, and not only summarizes their advice clearly and succinctly, but also includes lots of anonymous quotations presenting a spectrum of opinions on any particular issue. And the book covers _many_ issues of interest to those setting up a lab, and those who wish to improve the way they run their lab. It focuses mostly on academic labs, but also presents some issues peculiar to industry. It really goes into every detail about people-managing issues.
Each chapter has tens of references to other useful books and articles. Kathy really did her homework. I can say nothing bad about the book. Get it. ... Read more

Book Description

Written by Dr. Brochert, who scored in the 99th percentile in Steps 1 and 2 of the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE), this new addition to The Secrets Series(r) provides essential questions and answers covering topics that have appeared on recent Step II * Coverage of all specialty and subspecialty topics covered on Step 2 * All the most important "need-to-know" questions-and-answers in the proven format of the highly acclaimed Secrets Series(r) * Concise answers that include the author's pearls, tips, memory aids, and "secrets" * Bulleted lists, algorithms, and illustrations for quick review * Thorough, highly detailed index * Thought-provoking questions that provide succinct answers * Presentation of a vast amount of information, but not overly simplistic ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Excellent
This book is the equivalent of what First Aid was for Step 1. I just took Step 2 and this is the book to have. I just wish I had read it more than once! When combined with a question resource, like NMS, you have the perfect study material. (The NMS questions were a little bit more picky than the actual test by the way, but excellent in scope.)
Secrets is concise and tells you what you need to know for the Boards, giving common clinical scenarios, etc. I highly recommend it!

A treat!
i very highly recommend this book! has the right emphasis, and there were LOADS of questions from within these pages on my step 2 exam. Not only does it give you high yeild stuff, but it gives you alot of confidence. I found it more enjoyable than its counterpart - crush the boards, which has, basically the same material, in a different format. The question-answer style is brilliant! there are a couple of mistakes in it (eg-CSF pressure is written in mm Hg instead of mm of H2O...stuff like that) but you can totally forgive him, cos he's helpin you so so much!!
Its a great investment. Much much better than first aid for step2
Buy it!!

must have
lots of case scenarios that ended up on the text, though not comprehensive...i definitely recommen

Good review book
This is the same book as Crush the boards with a different format. Therefore one should decide which approach works better for you and pick one or the other. They are good review books.

Just where to start
I'm a foreign graduate from Paraguay. (Mbae'ichapa?)
After 6 years of medical school, you don't know where start to study or review your concepts for the Step 2 exam. This is an excellent book, easy to understand, question-answer form; take my advice and start from this book, keep on mind all the topics describe there, then complete with your school books.
For non-native English speakers, remember to practice to read fast in English for the exam. ... Read more

Book Description

Among animals used in research, teaching and testing, mice are now widely recognized as the most important model for human diseases and disorders.They comprise the majority of all experimental mammals and tend to be the model of choice used for research into many diseases/disorders including cancer, heart disease, asthma, Alzheimer's, Down syndrome, deafness, osteoporosis, obesity, diabetes and even mental health research. Additionally the laboratory mouse continues to play a widely publicized vital role in the human genome project.

One of the most time-consuming activities in research laboratories is looking up information specific to the species or strain of animal being used. This book, part of the highly successful Handbook of Experimental Animals series, allows the user quick access to any point of interest on the mouse as an experimental model.

* Edited by Hans Hedrich, Hannover Medical School
* Comprehensive reference source written by international experts
* Well-illustrated with high quality detailed images
* Two-color, user-friendly format combined with color plate sections ... Read more

Book Description

The second edition of this best-selling text continues to offer immensely practical advice and technical expertise to aid researchers in making sense of their collected data. Basics of Qualitative Research, Second Edition presents methods that enable researchers to analyze and interpret their data, and ultimately build theory from it. Highly accessible in their approach, authors Anselm Strauss (late of the University of San Francisco and co-creator of grounded theory) and Juliet Corbin provide a step-by-step guide to the research act-- from the formation of the research question through several approaches to coding and analysis, to reporting on the research. Full of definitions and illustrative examples, this highly accessible book concludes with chapters that present criteria for evaluating a study, as well as responses to common questions posed by students of qualitative research. Significantly revised, Basics of Qualitative Research remains a landmark volume in the study of qualitative methods.

Reviews (2)

Qualitative Research: A step-by-step approach
Fourth in a series of books about grounded theory, this book describes in detail the procedures and techniques used in the grounded theory method of qualitative research. The first-time qualitative researcher will now be able to go through the process with a competent guide, while the experienced researcher will be able to find answers to unanswered questions. The book starts with an explanation of the theoretical and philosphical foundations of the grounded theory method in qualitative research. Later chapters explain the different techniques that can be used in this approach, with examples. Sections that give definitions of terms used in this research approach provide a clearer understanding of the discussion in each chapter. This book is an ideal companion for anyone wishing to pursue qualitative research.

A Grounded Theory Classic (re-edited)
Excellent book to put in the hands of every student wishing to use qualitative methodology - in grounded theory - for a research project, especially at the graduate level. Strauss (who died in 1996, two years before the new edition of the book was published) and Corbin have thoroughly revised the first edition of "Basics of Qualitative Research" and added, among other things, a FAQ based on their students' questions. Caution, though, the book is NOT a step-by-step manual or a A-to-Z handbook for forging concepts, building categories and properties, etc. and other books will have to be read as an introduction to the technical aspects of qualitative research. Also, a complete newcomer to qualitative analysis may find chapters 5, 6 and 7 unclear until he gets to chapter 8 about open coding.

This re-edition of a classic is nonetheless a must-read for every junior researcher pretending to work in the tradition of grounded theory. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

CONCISE MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH
The fact that this book was designed for researchers, who are involved in experimental (clinical) trials, makes the basic knowledge of statistics essential.
Using an interactive multidisciplinary approach to investigation, this handbook embraced all aspects clinical and paraclinical survey. It is very easy-to-follow, and divulges its methodology in concise manner. "Fundamentals of Clinical Trials" is one book that will help alleviate the rigorous chores of epidemiologists. However, an advanced or versatile researcher may complain that some of the information in it are too summarized.

Good intro textbook
I used this book for a class that I took last semester on clinical trial.

The authors do a good job of giving a good overview of the topics of interest, in particular: sample size calculation, use of DSMBs, trial design, choice of endpoints, randomization and issues in data analysis.

The chapters on sample size estimation and use of safety monitoring boards are quite heavy on the statistics. If you've never had an intro class in statistics, then these chapters may be way over your head.

There are a few topics that the authors didn't cover so well that I thought should have been more prominent: Choice of primary endpoints in FDA trials, general requirements of the FDA and regulatory information in general, the calculations of meta-analyses.

Overall I am quite happy with this book and will keep it on my shelf as a good reference.

A great introduction to clinical trials
This book is a very good place to start for those who want to learn about the design and analysis of clinical trials. However there is a heavy emphasis on statistics - a basic knowledge of stats is essential.

Generalized review
Friedman et al have done a commendable job of explaining the entire clinical trial process. The monograph is complete as to the requirements of the undertaking and adequate resource is devoted to serveral of the more problematic areas such as sample size estimation and the establishment of baseline characteristics. ... Read more

Book Description

Marcello Pagano and Kimberlee Gauvreau's PRINCIPLES OF BIOSTATISTICS, Second Edition is a concepts-based introduction to statistical procedures that prepares public health, medical, and life sciences students to conduct and evaluate research. With an engaging writing style and helpful graphics, the emphasis is on concepts over formulas or rote memorization. Throughout the book, the authors use practical, interesting examples with real data to bring the material to life. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Better than nothing...
This book helped me (a non-biostat person) pass a advanced biostats class. It was a good suppliment to a fast-paced course, as it gives the same info, but somewhat easier format.

On the other hand, it occasionally skipped steps and made confusing leaps.

So it was better than nothing.

another good introductory biostatistics book
Like Rosner's book by the same publisher, this text is an introductory text by Harvard professors who teach medical students. It seems to be in competition with Rosner's book which makes me wonder why the same publisher is publishing them both. The style is different but the market and level of the two books seem to be the same. Both texts include diskettes with data for PCs. Both books are well written and cover mostly the same topics. The Pagano text seems to go into a little more detail on contingency tables and survival analysis. Both contain lists of valuable references. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

It is must have for both clinician and Biostatistician
On the back of the book, it says that it is written for the clinician, not the statistician. I would say that a biostatistician should definitely read this book before conducting any consulting or collaborations. One has to understand the clients's needs (clinician) as well as the client's audience to be a truely effective biostatistician.

A must have. When would be the next version?

Amazing!
A great guide that will aid you during medical research projects. Easy learning, great setup and very very helpful.
Just buy it!!

Winner of 2 awards from the American Medical Writers Assoc.
Taking care of sick and injured patients requires special skills, obtainedat considerable effort over many years. What about publishing researchreports?Any author will tell you that completing and then publishing aresearch project requires an enormous amount of time and effort.Thenumber of submitted manuscripts has increased more rapidly than the numberof journals; at some of our strongest journals such as the New EnglandJournal of Medicine, Lancet, JAMA, only about 10% of submitted papers areaccepted.Clearly, a "wannabe" author needs any and every bit ofhelp he/she can get.

Dan Byrne's attractive reasonably priced"Publishing Your Medical Research Paper" provides essential helpfor both the novice and the more experienced author.The book is unique inmany ways.For example, some of the material was obtained from aquestionnaire sent to reviewers - the best source of ideas and tips abouthow to submit a successful, competitive manuscript.

Both the overall bigpicture, and small, but important details are well covered. Severalchapters focus on overall objectives. For example, chapter one summarizesten key principles for success.Some are obvious, but easy tooverlook.

"Invest ample time and money in planning."

As DanByrne suggests, you need to spend a lot of time thinking about yourresearch problem and formulating a research plan before you do anything. Without a clear aim and a careful literature review, you are unlikely tosucceed, or, if you do, you may simply duplicate previous work.

There isequal attention to small points, such as choice and effective use ofgraphics.

"You can reduce your graph on a photocopier to see how itwill look.Edit the graph until it is as uncluttered and professional aspossible."

Any experienced reviewer will tell you how important itis to submit a manuscript with clear writing, clear graphics, and a cleardevelopment of ideas.As the book points out, even if the idea is good, apoorly prepared, confusing manuscript is likely to be rejected simplybecause the reviewers and editors are unsure what the author is trying tosay.

It is easy to develop a hostile attitude to reviewers and editors,especially when, after months of hard work your only reward is:"Dear___: I am sorry to inform you we are returning your manuscriptentitled ....Because of tight space requirements, we are forced to rejectmany high quality papers such as yours...."

At such times it helpsto remember that Dr. Rosalyn Yalow collected and framed all the rejectionletters she received prior to eventual acceptance and publication of thepaper for which she was awarded the 1977 Nobel prize in medicine. This bookprovides accurate, detailed information to authors so they will understandwhat reviewers and editors look for, and how they judge the quality of amanuscript.

The appendices, which take up about a third of the book,provide practical information to guide authors through the publicationprocess.Having all this material in one place is a real time-saver.Youwill find the widely used "Uniform Requirements for ManuscriptsSubmitted to Biomedical Journals",a medical researcher's directorywith extremely useful web sites, and the Helsinki declarations forbiomedical research.

"Publishing Your Medical Research Paper"is a valuable tool that will guide researchers and authors through theentire research and publication process.Following the recommendationswill greatly increase the strength of a manuscript and the chance foracceptance.One word of caution - many of the recommendations concern theearly phases of research; to obtain maximum benefit from this book read itbefore rather than after completion of your project.

Excellent!
This book is an excellent and well-documented guide to the design ofclinical trials, the analysis of data, and the construction of ahighquality manuscript.Both the novice and the expert will derive manyhelpful suggestions from its content. ... Read more

Book Description

Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Cambridge, MA. Text provides formulas and procedures for determining the appropriate sample size for testing equality. Presents various statistical procedures, current regulatory requirements, methodology for design and analysis, and recent developments in clinical research. ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Outstanding Biostatistics Book for the Non-statistician
I was delighted to discover this book four years ago, when I began teaching a course in clinical research methods. I have not seen anything else like the text or the optional companion software by GraphPad. The textbook is extremely well-written and well-organized. Not only have I been using the book and software in my teaching, but I have found that they handle about 90% of my own statistical needs for my research.

The author's philosophy (to forget the fancy stuff since the vast majority of applications don't require it) and the way it is implemented (with just enough theory to protect users from making false inferences) are exactly right. Dr. Motulsky has done a a superb job.

Excellent non-mathematical overview
Dr. Motulsky does an excellent job of introducing statistical concepts through examples and direct applications. Where this book is especially valuable is in keeping things simple -- without the intimidating mathematical notation -- while providing examples of where statistics can be used to measure the wrong things or present results that do not make sense in the context of what the researcher is investigating.

My favorite example illustrates how a stastical analysis of a new test that identifies those susceptible to a fatal disease "shows" an increase in the average lifespan of both populations (those who suffer the disease and those who don't). The reality, of course, is no one is living longer because of the test, but rather the population sampled is different. Brilliant and concise.

Although the text is targeted towards those in the bioinformatic and medical vocations, it's useful beyond that because the presentation of concepts is practical and yet without the notation.

excellent introduction to biostatistics
I used this book when writing a manuscript for publication. I stumbled across the author's web site, and found his approach remarkably useful. The book is clear and concise. It encompasses all general statistical methods needed for biomedical publishing for both basic and clinical research. It serves as an indespensible introduction for those, who like me, either never understood biostats as taught in medical school or who have not used these skills often enough to develop adequate familiarity with the methods and their application. Highly recommended.

ACCESSIBLE
I am very grateful that a professor of mine used this book for her class...I had flipped thru other stats books prior to taking her class, and the contents of those other books looked all too similar to the mathematics books that had tortured me for years.
Intuitive Biostatistics is actually enjoyable to read, and it usually teaches at a pace that is reasonable. Many of the examples were quite relevant to my area of study - Nutrition.
Wish more texts were like this one.

Priceless resource for my Prelims!
This book was an excellent choice for me to help review biostats for my prelims! Yes, although it doesn't focus on details of the more advanced statistical analyses, it does offer a common sense approach to data analysis. The assumptions for each test are clearly delineated, and the table at the back of the book is a quick reference for choosing tests based on what type of data you have. This is the ONLY biostatistics book I have read cover to cover. ... Read more