Medical Epidemiology 4e

Medical Epidemiology

ANNOTATION
ISBN: 0-8385-6206-X, ISSN: 1064-1025, Country of Origin: U.S., appendixes
included, glossary included, 13 chapters, 196 pages, soft cover.
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Medical Epidemiology illustrates the complementary relationship between
population-based science and the care of patients.
SYNOPSIS
Intended for medical and public health students and clinicians, this textbook
describes the methods employed to measure disease frequency and patterns,
investigate disease outbreaks, assess diagnostic tests and treatments identify
the causes of diseases, and predict the outcome of illness. The fourth edition
updates national statistics on disease patterns and risk factors, and adds a
chart of SARS transmission in Hong Kong. Annotation ?004 Book News, Inc.,
Portland, OR
FROM THE CRITICS
Lin Fritschi
This is a textbook of basic epidemiology written for those who need to read,
understand, and use epidemiological studies, rather than for those actually
doing such studies. The first edition of this book was published only three
years ago; this second edition has some revisions and includes two new chapters
on genetic epidemiology and clinical decision making. All the traditional
topics of basic epidemiology textbooks are covered. However, rather than
providing a theoretical discussion of study designs and problems, the authors
use "patient profiles" for each topic to demonstrate the use of epidemiology in
everyday clinical practice. The primary audience is medical students. The
authors' teaching experience is reflected in the didactic style of the book,
the number of practical examples given, and the uncluttered diagrams. This
edition includes sections explaining the clinical background of the patient
profiles, meaning the book is now more useful for a range of health
professionals as well as those in the early years of the medical course. The
chapter on medical surveillance is largely irrelevant to readers outside the
United States, but perhaps an international edition will contain more general
information on surveillance systems. The book is amply furnished with clear
diagrams. Often, one diagram of the general concept is presented, followed by a
similar one for the particular patient profile in that chapter. Statistics are
not prominent in the book, and there are only rare references to the companion
biostatistics book. Some of the sections assume the reader has at least some
statistical knowledge. This book is an excellent primer for use in epidemiology
courses for medicalstudents. The additions to the book are probably not
sufficient to justify purchasing the new edition if the first edition is
already on your bookshelf, although the second edition is recommended for those
new to the field.
Doody Review Services
Reviewer: Lin Fritschi, PhD, MBBS (Monash University)
Description: This is a textbook of basic epidemiology written for those who
need to read, understand, and use epidemiological studies, rather than for
those actually doing such studies. The first edition of this book was published
only three years ago; this second edition has some revisions and includes two
new chapters on genetic epidemiology and clinical decision making.
Purpose: All the traditional topics of basic epidemiology textbooks are
covered. However, rather than providing a theoretical discussion of study
designs and problems, the authors use "patient profiles" for each topic to
demonstrate the use of epidemiology in everyday clinical practice.
Audience: The primary audience is medical students. The authors' teaching
experience is reflected in the didactic style of the book, the number of
practical examples given, and the uncluttered diagrams. This edition includes
sections explaining the clinical background of the patient profiles, meaning
the book is now more useful for a range of health professionals as well as
those in the