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Medical Ethics in Clinical Practice
by Matjaž ZwitterThis book discusses medicine from an ethical perspective, whereas books on medical ethics more commonly present ethics from a bio-medical standpoint. The book is divided into 23 chapters. The introductory chapters present some basic concepts of medical ethics, such as the relation between the legal system and ethics, ethical documents, ethical theories, and ethical analysis. The following chapters address issues of importance in all fields of medicine: respecting autonomy, communication, relations within a healthcare team, professional malpractice, limited resources, and the portrait of a physician. In turn, the third part of the book focuses on ethical aspects in a broad range of medical activities – preventive medicine, human reproduction, genetics, pediatrics, intensive care, palliative medicine, clinical research, unproven methods in diagnostics and treatment, and the role of physicians who aren’t directly responsible for patient care. The last part presents students’ seminars with case stories. The book offers a valuable resource for physicians of all specialties, students of medicine, professionals, and students from other fields devoted to human health, journalists, and general readers with an interest in medicine.
Medical Ethics in the Catholic Tradition: Perspectives from Philosophy, Theology, Medicine, and the Law (Routledge Annals of Bioethics)
by Margaret M. Hogan Edward M. Hogan Annique K. Hogan Matthew J.D. HoganThis book is a comprehensive survey and a sustained treatment of the major topics in contemporary medical ethics from within the Roman Catholic tradition. It brings together perspectives from philosophy, theology, medicine, and law to explore the traditions that undergird Catholic medical ethics.The authors of this book are, respectively, a philosopher, theologian, physician, and attorney. Their commitment to the Roman Catholic tradition provides the foundational principles for addressing a wide range of issues in contemporary medical ethics. These topics include abortion, reproduction, cloning to produce children, cloning for biomedical research, embryonic stem cell use, genetics as screening, testing, therapy, enhancement, engineering, specific special relations such as maternal/fetal, physician/patient, mentally ill/caretakers, health care, and end of life issues. Furthermore, the book elaborates on the ways in which the authors’ professions and disciplines act in service to medicine as an instrument for real human flourishing.Medical Ethics in the Catholic Tradition is for the physician who would like to know more about the philosophical/theological/legal traditions that undergird the Catholic position. It is for the attorney who would like to know more about the philosophical/theological/medical traditions that undergird the Catholic position. Similarly, the philosopher or theologian can find here the appropriate information to understand how science and law contribute to the development of the Catholic position on major issues in medical ethics.
Medical Ethics, Law and Communication at a Glance
by Charles Foster Michael Dunn Patrick Davey Anna Rathmell Helen SalisburyMedical Ethics, Law and Communication at a Glance presents a succinct overview of these key areas of the medical curriculum. This new title aims to provide a concise summary of the three core, interlinked topics essential to resolving ethical dilemmas in medicine and avoiding medico-legal action. Divided into two sections; the first examines the ethical and legal principles underpinning each medical topic; while the second focuses on communication skills and the importance of good communication. Medical Ethics, Law and Communication at a Glance offers an accessible introduction to the fundamentals of good medical practice, and will provide indispensable support for undergraduate medical students and nurses, as well as newly qualified healthcare professionals.
Medical Ethics: A Reference Guide for Guaranteeing Principled Care and Quality
by Eldo FrezzaMedical ethics is a system of moral principles that apply values to the practice of clinical medicine and in scientific research. Medical ethics allow for people, regardless of background, to be guaranteed quality and principled care. It is based on a set of values that professionals can refer to in the case of any confusion or conflict. These values include the respect for autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, and justice. These tenets allow doctors, care providers, and families to create a treatment plan and work towards the same common goal without any conflict. Succeeding in the healthcare field means more than just making a diagnosis and writing a prescription. Healthcare professionals are responsible for convincing patients and their family members of the best course of action and treatments to follow, while knowing how to make the right moral and ethical choices. Ethical teaching should be an active part of training and should be taught in four division: basic ethics, clinical ethics, legal principles related to ethics and the ethics of research and affiliation. This book is a reference guide for physicians, healthcare providers and administrative staff. It looks at the ethical problems they face every day, gives the background and the ethical problem and then provides practical advice which can be easily implemented. This book provides the knowledge needed to understand who has the right to healthcare, the justice of clinical practice, what autonomy means for a patient giving consent, who is going to make any surrogate decisions and more.
Medical Ethics: A Very Short Introduction
by Tony HopeMedical ethics is an area that has particular interest for the general public as well as for the medical practitioner, and issues concerning medical ethics seem to be constantly in the headlines. This short and accessible introduction provides an invaluable tool with which to think about the ethical values that lie at the heart of medicine. Tony Hope deals with thorny moral issues, including euthanasia and the morality of killing. He also explores political questions, such as how we can make sure health care resources are distributed fairly. Each chapter in the book considers a different issue, for example, genetics, modern reproductive technologies, resource allocation, mental health, and medical research. Each section also discusses controversial questions such as: Who should have access to reproductive technology? Is it right to fund expensive drug treatment for individuals? Should treatment for mental illness be imposed on patients without their consent? Considering a wide range of questions of medical ethics, this Very Short Introduction will help to explain some of the confusing issues facing the field of medicine today.
Medical Ethics: Accounts of Groundbreaking Cases (Seventh Edition)
by Gregory E. PenceGregory Pence helped found the Bioethics field and has published in this area for forty years. In this text his single, authorial voice integrates descriptions of some of the most famous bioethics cases and their issues. The text is the only one that follows cases over decades to tell readers what did, and often, what did not, happen. This new edition retains in-depth discussion of famous cases, while providing updated, detailed analysis of newly raised issues.
Medical Ethics: Soft Skills for Clinical Care Providers
by Saleh AbbasThis book provides a comprehensive exploration of medical ethics, focusing on the essential soft skills required for clinical care providers. It bridges the gap between philosophical principles and practical application, offering a clear and accessible guide to navigating ethical dilemmas in healthcare. Readers will uncover key concepts such as autonomy, beneficence, and justice, alongside practical discussions on informed consent and biomedical research. The chapters explore into the philosophical underpinnings of ethics, examining moral theory and moral status, while emphasizing the importance of communication skills in clinical settings. The book also addresses critical issues like informed consent and the ethical considerations in biomedical research. By emphasizing communication skills, it highlights the importance of effective interaction between clinicians and patients, ensuring ethical practice is maintained in all aspects of care. This book is a must-read for those seeking to enhance their understanding of ethical practice in medicine, offering insights from experienced practitioners and scholars. Ideal for healthcare professionals, medical students, and scholars of medical ethics, this book equips readers with the tools to apply ethical principles in real-world scenarios. Readers will gain valuable insights into the moral complexities of patient care. It invites readers to consider the ethical dimensions of their work and offers practical strategies for addressing complex moral dilemmas.
Medical Examination Made Memorable: Integrating Everything, Book 4
by Anthony Culyer Yousaf ShahedExamination is an area of medical practice which requires much factual, diagnostic and procedural knowledge to be committed to memory: this in itself can be a challenging feat. Medical Examination Made Memorable puts research on learning and memorising techniques into action, presenting medical examination in a unique, enjoyable and easy-to-learn format. Health conditions are linked to well-known people, and specially drawn images - often deliberately bizarre or exaggerated to make them more memorable - are included throughout. Information is broken down into easily recallable chunks, and mnemonics (which may not suit all learning styles) are only included where especially clear or useful. Discussing information with others stimulates the aural component of memory, and practicing physical skills leads to kinaesthetic memorisation (muscle memory): the book also takes these vital learning techniques into account. Medical Examination Made Memorable is a vital reference and aide-memoire for students and practitioners at all levels and in all specialisms.
Medical Family Therapy
by Jennifer Hodgson Angela Lamson Tai Mendenhall D. Russell Crane"High praise to Hodgson, Lamson, Mendenhall, and Crane and in creating a seminal work for systemic researchers, educators, supervisors, policy makers and financial experts in health care. The comprehensiveness and innovation explored by every author reflects an in depth understanding that reveals true pioneers of integrated health care. Medical Family Therapy: Advances in Application will lead the way for Medical Family Therapists in areas just now being acknowledged and explored. " - Tracy Todd, PhD, LMFT, Executive Director of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Integrated, interdisciplinary health care is growing in stature and gaining in numbers. Systems and payers are facilitating it. Patients and providers are benefitting from it. Research is supporting it, and policymakers are demanding it. The emerging field of Medical Family Therapy (MedFT) is contributing greatly to these developments and Medical Family Therapy: Advanced Applications examines its implementation in depth. Leading experts describe MedFT as it is practiced today, the continuum of services provided, the necessary competencies for practitioners, and the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of health that the specialty works to integrate. Data-rich chapters model core concepts such as the practitioner as scientist, the importance of context in health care settings, collaboration with families and communities, and the centrality of the relational perspective in treatment. And the book's wide-spectrum coverage takes in research, training, financial, and policy issues, among them: Preparing MedFTs for the multiple worlds of health care Extending platforms on how to build relationships in integrated care Offering a primer in program evaluation for MedFTs Ensuring health equity in MedFT research Identifying where policy and practice collide with ethics and integrated care Recognizing the cost-effectiveness of family therapy in health care With its sophisticated insights into the current state - and the future - of healthcare reform, Medical Family Therapy: Advanced Applications is essential reading for researchers and practitioners in the fields of clinical psychology, counseling, family therapy, healthcare policy, psychiatric nursing, psychiatry, public health, and social work.
Medical Family Therapy and Integrated Care (Second Edition)
by Susan H. Mcdaniel Jeri Hepworth William J. DohertyThe field of medical family therapy has grown by leaps and bounds since the authors' bestselling Medical Family Therapy: A Biopsychosocial Approach to Families With Health Problems was published in 1992. In that book, the authors sought to bridge the gap between mental and physical health by introducing a systems-based approach that unites unites physicians, psychologists, family therapists, social workers, nurses, counselors, and therapists of all theoretical orientations in working with families across a wide range of professional settings. In this thorough revision and update of their classic text, the authors describe the impact of recent economic and structural changes in health care on the role of the medical family therapist. They describe how medical and mental health providers can learn to speak the same language, whether they collaborate in outpatient therapy, co-location settings, community health centers, or fully-integrated health systems. They also take into account exciting new advances in fertility treatments and genomic medicine, and assess the medical family therapist's role in navigating the unique conflicts that can arise in families dealing with these and similar issues.
Medical Fitness and Resilience: A Review of Relevant Constructs, Measures, and Links to Well-Being
by Sarah O. Meadows Regina A. Shih Margret T. MartinThis report is one of a series designed to support Air Force leaders in promoting resilience among its Airmen, civilian employees, and Air Force families. It examines the relationship between medical fitness and resilience, using key constructs found in the scientific literature, which address preventive care, the presence and management of injuries and chronic conditions, and facilitators and barriers to access of appropriate health care.
Medical Generalism, Now!: Reclaiming the Knowledge Work of Modern Practice
by Joanne ReeveMedical Generalism, Now! is a unique and timely consideration of generalist medical practice. With a focus on the knowledge work of clinical practice and by taking a whole healthcare system view, the book responds to a recognized need to strengthen generalist practice within modern healthcare delivery in both primary and secondary care settings. Through a series of creative provocations directed to consulting clinicians and their trainers/educators, service leaders and managers, and policy makers, readers are encouraged to challenge the orthodox view that generalism is an outdated 'jack of all trades’ sub-set of clinical medicine delivering the ‘simpler’ aspects of medicine, with more complex issues requiring onward specialist referral. Case studies are used throughout to illustrate the challenges to be faced, accompanied by a description of the principles of generalist knowledge work needed to tackle the scenarios described and discussing the implications for practice and service redesign. Essential reading for clinicians, managers and policy makers across all healthcare settings, the book concludes with a call to action, synthesizing the learning from each chapter to define and describe delivery of the key changes needed.
Medical Genetics and Genomics: Questions for Board Review
by Benjamin D. SolomonMedical Genetics and Genomics A comprehensive question-and-answer book for those preparing for board examinations on clinical genetics Medical Genetics and Genomics: Questions for Board Review provides more than 350 high-yield multiple choice questions (MCQs) to help readers prepare for standardized examinations for accreditation and ongoing certification in the various fields of medical genetics and genomics, as well as other trainees and learners who want to understand more about the field. Written by a leading authority in clinical genetics with extensive teaching experience in academia, government, biotech, and in healthcare, this invaluable study aid covers essential terminology, clinical diagnosis and manifestations of specific conditions, laboratory and testing approaches, management of genetic conditions, and more. The questions are organized into thematic areas to help readers focus on specific areas within the field of genetics and genomics. Each section of questions is followed by fully annotated answers with concise explanations and up-to-date references. Throughout the book, high-quality illustrations are presented to enhance understanding of all key concepts. Contains more than 350 multiple choice questions covering multiple areas of genetics Provides clear and concise answers with brief and focused explanations Helpful for preparation for American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ABMGG) and American Board of Genetic Counseling (ABGC) board examinations, as well as for general study of medical genetics and genomics Includes full references to scientific and medical articles, traditional textbooks, online articles, and other internet resources Medical Genetics and Genomics: Questions for Board Review is a must-have for clinical trainees, physicians, laboratory geneticists, genetic counselors, and allied health professionals working in medical genetics.
Medical Genetics and Law: An International Perspective
by Mair CrouchThis book is an essential resource to understanding the intersection of medical genetics and law. In a unique approach, it provides an overview on the biological principles of DNA basics and genetic inheritance linking the knowledge with the ethical and legal challenges presented by modern developments in genetics. The first chapters educate the reader in key concepts such as cell division, genetic inheritance, genome study methods, genetic screening and testing across various countries. It further expands into complex issues where regulation is required, in particular: controversial aspects of genetic modifications, ethical concerns around patient confidentiality and biobanks' role in linking genetic variation to complex diseases. It includes legal cases regarding negligence claims from conception to adulthood and reflects on the impact of present and future developments in genomics on the law. Readers will gain a deeper understanding of how developments in genetics impact individuals and society, helping them navigate this rapidly evolving field. Given the interdisciplinary approach, the book is suitable for both medical and law students, practicing lawyers, medical practitioners, and genetic counselors. It is particularly beneficial for those who deal with medical negligence and need to understand the genetic aspects of such cases.
Medical Genetics at a Glance
by Bruce R. Korf Dorian J. PritchardMedical Genetics at a Glance covers the core scientific principles necessary for an understanding of medical genetics and its clinical applications, while also considering the social implications of genetic disorders.This third edition has been fully updated to include the latest developments in the field, covering the most common genetic anomalies, their diagnosis and management, in clear, concise and revision-friendly sections to complement any health science course.Medical Genetics at a Glance now has a completely revised structure, to make its content even more accessible. Other features include: * Three new chapters on Gene Identification, The Biology of Cancer, and Genomic Approaches to Cancer* A much extended treatment of Biochemical Genetics* A completely revised chapter on The Cell Cycle, explaining principles of biochemistry and genetics which are fundamental to understanding cancer causation* Two new chapters on Cardiac Developmental Pathology* An extended Case Studies sectionProviding a broad understanding of one of the most rapidly progressing topics in medicine, Medical Genetics at a Glance is perfect for students of medicine, molecular biology, genetics and genetic counselling, and is a previous winner of a BMA Award.
Medical Genetics for the MRCOG and Beyond
by Edward S. Tobias J. Michael ConnorThis second edition has been comprehensively updated to reflect current clinical practice and the latest technical developments, including pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, array CGH, QF-PCR, non-invasive prenatal diagnosis and next generation sequencing amongst others. The first section covers basic principles, while the second outlines the more common situations where obstetrics and gynaecology interact with medical genetics. The third section contains real-life clinical case scenarios which have been selected to represent typical problems and to highlight areas which, if mismanaged, could have serious medico-legal consequences. Together with its accompanying website (www. essentialmedgen. com), it provides an invaluable guide to the use and selection of useful online genetic resources. This book is essential reading for candidates preparing for the MRCOG postgraduate examination, and any health professionals requiring a clear understanding of medical genetics and its increasingly frequent uses in obstetrics and gynaecology, where incorrect genetic advice can have serious consequences.
Medical Geochemistry
by Paolo Censi Thomas Darrah Yigal ErelThis book includes a collection of chapters illustrating the application of geochemical methods to investigate the interactions between geological materials and fluids with humans. Examples include the incorporation and human health effects of inhaling lithogenic materials, the reactivity of biological fluids with geological materials, and the impact on nascent biomineral formation. Biomineralization is investigated in terms of mineralogy, morphology, bone chemistry, and pathological significance with a focus on the health impacts of "foreign" geological/environmental trace element incorporation. One of the contribution is devoted to particulate matter, the presence of metals and metalloids in the environment, and the possibility of using human hair as a biomarker between environmental/geological exposure and human bioincorporation. Other chapters focus on the last advances on the analytical methods and instrumentational approaches to investigating the chemistry of biological fluids and tissues.
Medical Geography: Progress and Prospect (Routledge Revivals)
by Michael PacioneGeographers have for a long time contributed much valuable detailed data on the geographical patterns of disease and health care delivery to the medical world. On its first publication in 1985, this edited collection addressed the need for a review of progress in the field of medical geography that could also shape further developments. Topics under discussion include national systems of health care, the utilisation of health services, medical planning and medical geography in the developing world. This is a comprehensive volume that is it still of great relevance to today’s students of medical geography, health care and demography.
Medical Geology
by Jose A. Centeno Olle Selinus Robert B. FinkelmanMedical Geology is a rapidly growing field concerned with the relationship between natural geological factors and human and animal health, as well as with improving our understanding of the influence of environmental factors on the geographical distribution of health problems. This book brings together the work of geoscientists and medical/public health researchers, which addresses health problems caused, or exacerbated by geological materials (rocks, minerals, atmospheric dust and water) and processes (including volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Among the environmental health problems discussed in this book are: exposure to toxic levels of trace essential and non-essential elements such as arsenic and mercury; trace element deficiencies; exposure to natural dusts and to radioactivity; naturally occurring organic compounds in drinking water; volcanic emissions, etc. The text also deals with the many health benefits of geologic materials and processes. This wide-ranging volume covers issues in medical geology all over the world with each author covering their respective region. It provides examples from different continents as well as a state-of-the-art review of the latest developments in the discipline. The authors are all recognized geoscientific and medical experts working in the field. The book is written for a wide variety of specialists from geologists, geochemists, pathologists and medical doctors to veterinarians and biologists.
Medical Geology for Beginners (SpringerBriefs in Medical Earth Sciences)
by Kirtikumar Randive Pratik GodboleThis book is created for a diverse audience that includes geologists and Earth scientists studying the impacts of geological processes on human health, as well as health professionals and medical researchers interested in the environmental determinants of health. It is also a good reference for the environmental scientists and public health policymakers focused on sustainable practices and health risk mitigation. Additionally, undergraduate and postgraduate students, research scholars, and academicians in geosciences, environmental health, and related interdisciplinary fields will find this book valuable for their studies and research. Industry professionals in mining, environmental monitoring, and disaster management will benefit from the health insights provided. Furthermore, individuals working in Ayurveda and traditional medicine will discover valuable information on the therapeutic uses of geological materials. This book explores relationship between geology and human health, providing vital insights for professionals in both the geosciences and health sciences. It delves into how natural processes, materials, and anthropogenic activities influence human health, highlighting the critical role of Medical Geology in modern science and public health. Finally, as Professor Robert Finkleman narrates, &“Medical Geology for Beginners provides an invaluable service to the science of medical geology and to anyone interested in this subject matter and especially to the young readers who may be inspired to pursue a career in medical geology&”.
Medical Geology in Mining: Health Hazards Due to Metal Toxicity (Springer Geology)
by Kirtikumar Randive Shubhangi Pingle Anupam AgnihotriThis book discusses a wide range of health-related mining issues, with particular reference to occupational diseases, metal toxicity, postural injuries in miners, modern fire safety controls, noise-induced hearing loss prevention, and noise mapping. Mining plays a central role in the development of modern civilization. By providing the essential raw materials, mining ensures progress, safety, and comfort of people. However, this necessary activity comes with several woes, the most important of which are occupational health hazards. Mines act as sources of constant danger and risk to the miners irrespective of the scale of mining, such as large-scale industrial mining or small-scale artisanal mining. Not only are there accidents, but continuous exposure to dust, metal toxicity, hazardous gases and fumes, and loud noises, giving rise to a variety of diseases to mine workers. The comprehensive coverage of issues and the case studies will make this book an essential reference and critical reading. Medical geology is a necessary discipline in earth sciences. Unfortunately, not much literature is available on this subject. Therefore, this book is essential for practicing engineers and supervisors in mines, health and safety professionals, researchers, and mining industry students.
Medical Group Management in Turbulent Times: How Physician Leadership Can Optimize Health Plan, Hospital, and Medical Group Performance
by William Winston Paul A SommersMedical Group Management in Turbulent Times: How Physician Leadership Can Optimize Health Plan, Hospital, and Medical Group Performance provides you with proven methods and new strategies on how to deliver more effective health care, health products, and related services to patients and other consumers. Stressing physician leadership and proactive participation, this text will enhance your understanding of how a working relationship between practicing physicians and health care managers is a positive and necessary means for administering and managing quality health care now and in the future.Through units preceded by defined goals, projected outcomes, and outcome analyses, Medical Group Management presents material to you in a practical, comprehensive manner on topics such as: understanding values and relationships among physicians, hospitals, and health plans working together toward a common goal establishing trust and communication between physicians, hospitals, and health plans embracing change as a catalyst for the enhancement of medical practice understanding the physicians’role in the management of a consumer-focused medical group planning for shifts in medical practice away from intervention and toward prevention creating jointly developed plans and budgets predicated upon principles of continuous quality improvement, such as eliminating unnecessary patient paperwork and improving employees’morale and job satisfactionIn addition, most units in this text feature a “factors to consider” category that advises you, for example, how to research competition, establish a target market, and research the demographics of a community before formulating a plan to increase your number of patients. Complete with recommendations, sample plans on how to market health services or better serve your patients, and suggestions on how to enhance quality care, Medical Group Management will give you the knowledge to successfully address problems and work together with other professionals in the health care community to provide quality services to patients and consumers now and into the next century.
Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine
by David HoffmannA foundational textbook on the scientific principles of therapeutic herbalism and their application in medicine• A complete handbook for the medical practitioner• Includes the most up-to-date information on preparations, dosage, and contraindications• By the author of The Complete Illustrated Holistic HerbalMedical Herbalism contains comprehensive information concerning the identification and use of medicinal plants by chemical structure and physiological effect, the art and science of making herbal medicine, the limitations and potential of viewing herbs chemically, and the challenge to current research paradigms posed by complex plant medicines. It also includes information on toxicology and contraindications, the issues involved in determining dosage and formulation types for an individual, guides to the different measurement systems and conversion tables, and the pros and cons of both industrial and traditional techniques.With additional sections devoted to the principles of green medicine, the history of Western Herbalism, the variety of other medical modalities using medicinal plants, an extensive resource directory, and a discussion of treatments organized by body system, Medical Herbalism is the comprehensive textbook all students and practitioners of clinical herbalism need to develop their healing practices.
Medical Histories for the MRCP and Final MB (MasterPass)
by Zafar Iqbal Iqbal KhanTaking a patient's medical history is a vital skill often overlooked by junior doctors and medical students, leading to a worryingly high failure rate in the PACES and OSCE exams. Don't be caught out! This book has been specifically designed to give you invaluable guidance and practice for taking medical histories. It features 50 complete case studies, including referral letters, medical histories, suggested data gathering methods, points to consider, warning signs, management of uncomfortable topics and differential diagnosis. With a focus on the importance and benefits of role-play in revision, this concise and easy to read format provides the study aid for Membership of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) candidates sitting their Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) and Practical Assessment of Clinical Examination Skills (PACES) examinations. It is also of great benefit to undergraduates approaching their final year examinations.
Medical History Education for Health Practitioners
by Alannah Tomkins Lisett Lovett'Twenty-first century medicine is just the current stage of a never-ending journey of tremendous complexity. Those of us who are fortunate enough to practise in this day and age do so in ways that are themselves the results of huge changes over many centuries - advances in areas such as medication and surgical and imaging techniques and developments in our understanding of the human body and its attendant threats through genetics. Add to that list the huge social and societal changes in public health, attitudes to illness and changes in ethical viewpoints, and we find ourselves at the current forefront of medical evolution but nowhere near the end of this particular journey.' From the Foreword by Paul Lazarus This fascinating book brings to life the history of medicine in Britain since 1600. Throughout the historical account the authors cover mainstream clinical issues but also make reference to the importance of literature and art, presenting a wide-ranging view of the past. It also incorporates milestones in other cultures and epochs, where appropriate, for a balanced overview. The concise, self-contained sections are a joy to read and can be easily dipped into. The majority of chapters include suggested questions for students, assisting group discussion. It is ideal for medical and healthcare course organisers, lecturers and tutors who require a rapid resource of information in their subject area - be it cardiovascular disease, emergency medicine or child protection - to provide context, interest and entertainment for their students. It is also highly recommended as the basis for a programme of seminars on the history of medicine.