Clinical and Diagnostic Virology Doody's Expert Review Review Questionnaire ISBN: 9780521694674 ISBN-10: 0521694671 Copyright: 2009 Edition: 1st Authors: Kudesia, Goura, Wreghitt, Tim, Doody's Expert Review    Score: 98 Doody's Star Rating™ and Doody's Expert Review provide by Doody Enterprises, Inc. Reviewer: Daniel  Lalich,  M.D.   (University of Kansas Medical Center) Description This book describes key diagnostic features of viral illnesses and provides a practical guide to diagnostic techniques, antiviral medication, occupational health issues, infection control, and viral vaccines. Purpose The goal is to provide a resource for medical professionals to accurately make diagnostic and treatment decisions regarding viral illnesses. As a health professional and book aficionado, I have not come across a book which concisely and accurately teaches diagnosing viral illnesses. The authors have extensive knowledge of PCR and other molecular techniques. Audience The authors contend that the book is for all healthcare professionals, and it is written clearly enough for this audience. However, it is a sophisticated and valuable resource that would appeal to diagnostic clinical pathologists. Had this been available to me when I was a medical student, I surely would have benefited from it. I am glad to have discovered it in the last year of my residency in pathology. Features The book comprehensively covers, in simple language, viral illness, diagnostic methods, and other important issues with viral infections in the healthcare environment. The information is uniquely provided in concise charts, diagrams, and algorithms. Many medical books have clinical pictures of viral illnesses and this one provides some patient pictures. However, since this is not the purpose or objective of the book, it is understandable why this is not the focus. The understanding of diagnostic techniques and when to apply them is this book's strength. Assessment I have yet to come across a book which explains which viral diagnostic test is appropriate in each clinical scenario. This book finally provides a necessary guide to vast and confusing array of diagnostic tests. Review Questionnaire Range Question Score 1-10 Are the author's objectives met? 10 1-10 Rate the worthiness of those objectives. 10 1-5 Is this written at an appropriate level? 5 1-5 Is there significant duplication? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 5 1-5 Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 5 1-5 Rate the authority of the authors. 5 1-5 Are there sufficient illustrations? 5 1-5 Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. 5 1-5 Rate the print quality of the illustrations. 3 1-5 Are there sufficient references? 5 1-5 Rate the currency of the references. 5 1-5 Rate the pertinence of the references. 5 1-5 Rate the helpfulness of the index. 5 1-5 If important in this specialty, rate the physical appearance of the book N/A 1-10 Is this a worthwhile contribution to the field? 10 1-10 If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? N/A ©2024 Doody Enterprises, Inc.