Oxford Textbook of Palliative Medicine, 3rd Edition Doody's Expert Review Review Questionnaire ISBN: 9780198510987 ISBN-10: 0198510985 Copyright: 2004 Edition: 3rd Editors: Doyle, Derek, Hanks, Geoffrey, Cherny, Nathan, Calman, Kenneth, Doody's Expert Review    Score: 95 Doody's Star Rating™ and Doody's Expert Review provide by Doody Enterprises, Inc. Reviewer: Victoria Kut,  MD  (Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine) Description This is the third edition of a comprehensive textbook that deals with the full spectrum of palliative medicine. Over 150 world-renowned experts in the field contribute to this edition giving it a broad and universal perspective. Purpose Palliative care is a rapidly growing field of medicine. The aim of the book as explained by the editors is to produce as complete a review as possible about end of life care, with a body of knowledge based on sound research as well as extensive clinical experience. These goals are certainly met. Audience The book is primarily intended for palliative medicine physicians and other physicians who care for dying patients. Oncologists whose training/education in this field may be limited will benefit considerably from this book. The contributions from allied health professionals expand the appeal of the book to all members of the palliative care team. Features Every aspect of palliative medicine is discussed: physical, emotional, ethical, social, and spiritual. The authors start by stating the scientific principles and then go on to provide a thorough review of the current status of research on the subject. The book is well indexed and well referenced. There are excellent chapters on the control of the myriad symptoms that dying patients may experience including pain, gastrointestinal, respiratory, neurologic, and dermatologic problems as well as a superb section on the management of delirium at the end of life. The book provides practical and very useful information not routinely included in textbooks such as dosage of medications, frequency of drug administration, and preferable/potential route of administration as well as drug interactions. The authors also emphasize the importance of appropriate palliative interventions and consultations from such specialties as interventional radiology, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, psychiatry etc. The illustrations, tables, and figures are useful and make for easier comprehension. I was disappointed that the table on opioids did not clearly state the equivalent analgesic dosages of the various frequently used opioids. There is a section of the book devoted to communication and palliative medicine. I would have welcomed a more thorough discussion on the important and difficult subject of how best to present the palliative care/hospice option to patients and their families. Assessment Undoubtedly, this is a premier textbook and an invaluable resource. I agree with the editors' statement that this is "the definitive text on a fast-developing subject." It is essential for anyone involved in the practice of palliative medicine. 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) 4 1-5 Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 4 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. 4 1-5 Rate the print quality of the illustrations. 5 1-5 Are there sufficient references? 5 1-5 Rate the currency of the references. 3 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 5 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? 10 ©2010 Doody Enterprises, Inc.