In this exploration of the significance of illness in the Victorian literary imagination Miriam Bailin maps the cultural implications and narrative effects of the sickroom as an important symbolic space in nineteenth-century life and literature. Dr Bailin draws on non-fictional accounts of illness by Julia Stephen, Harriet Martineau and others to illuminate the presentation of illness and ministration, patient and nurse, in the fiction of Charlotte Bronte, Charles Dickens and George Eliot. She argues that the sickroom functions as an imagined retreat from conflicts in Victorian society, and that fictional representations of illness serve to resolve both social conflict and aesthetic tension. Her concentration on the sickroom scene as a compositional response to insistent formal as well as social problems yields fresh readings of canonical works and approaches to the constituent elements of Victorian realist narrative.

The book aims to review knowledge on the disorders of eating behaviour and body composition in some of the non-primate higher animals and to relate these to similar conditions in humans. With advances in understanding the nature of these disorders and their biological basis, it seems timely to assess what cross-species comparisons can tell us about the general underlying factors at work. This may also help to delineate what may be a general biological basis that humans share with their higher animal comrade species and what may distinguish human from non-human, particularly in a cultural context. This could help in combating better the problems of these conditions in the animal species as well as in man and in suggesting well-based preventive measures. As far as people are concerned the last two decades of the 20th century have shown a significant increase in obesity in the richer countries, particularly the USA (Table 1). Possibly associated with the obesity boom, there is an increasing awareness of other disorders of eating behaviour and body composition. These range from anorexia nervosa, at the other end of body composition to obesity, to others, such as bulimia, with more variable effects on body composition.

In the late eighties of the twentieth century I encountered a paper referring to mathematics dealing with imprecision applied to medical diagnosis. I was working in the area of medical statistics at that time, and obviously I was interested in the contents of the paper. After I had read it I became fascinated by new possibilities of medical data interpretation and processing proposed by the author. The new world of fuzziness, originated by Professor Lotfi Zadeh, seemed to open up to me and I started reading all accessible material about fuzzy set theory. Many years have passed since then. We are now living in the information so- ety and we do not experience troubles in reaching scientific material. Lately I have read many papers and books about treating medical tasks solved by using fuzzy ideas. I am still keen on tracing applications in medicine, and by myself I have been contributing to some concepts in this subject that has motivated me to p- pare my own book. The objective of writing such a book has been a little parti- lar, namely, I have intended to present the subject of fuzzy tools and techniques in medicine for eventual users. These, maybe representatives of medical or phar- cological staffs, are not expected to possess a large amount of mathematical knowledge.

This book provides a state-of-the-art, comprehensive overview of the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders. It details evidence-based practice recommendations using parameters primarily developed by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The book offers a thorough and extensive board review for specialization in sleep medicine and supports primary care clinicians in appropriately using sleep diagnostic testing results in clinical practice.

It has never been easy to introduce new concepts and therapeutic in-terventions into surgical practice. When attempting to do so, one is faced with the interagency of traditional dogma, which still in this era of evidence-based medicine tends to dominate the surgical thought pr- ess. This is particularly so in the area of coloproctology, where prejudice and personal opinion often influence objective analysis whenever tradition is challenged. A large body of literature on anorectal prolapse has accumulated over the years; although much is based on personal viewpoint rather than scientific evidence, it has nevertheless been passed down through the generations as ac-cepted wisdom and practice. As a consequence, it is a challenge to change the mindset of a generation of surgeons and to introduce new concepts and novel techniques which at first might appear to be a radical departure from conventional teaching. It is obviously not possible to present the basis for the develop-ment of transanal stapling techniques for anorectal prolapse in this Foreword; this is dealt with in detail elsewhere in this book. The in-terested reader will have the opportunity to share in the new and emerging concepts surrounding anorectal prolapse and to deepen their understanding of the pat- physiology and basis for surgical correction. Although hemorrhoidal disease and external rectal prolapse have been known about for centuries, the understanding of internal rectal prolapse (intussusception) and rectocele has only really advanced with the emergence of radiological imaging tech-niques, such as defecography.

Translational Research and Clinical Practice offers a clear and comprehensive introduction to evidence-based medicine. The use of medical literature has always been an integral tool for patient care, yet recently the modern processes of question formulation, literature search, and study evaluation have changed with the advent of the internet and technology. The physician must be able to find empirical evidence from the appropriate study using a searchable question and then determine its impact on patient care. The book provides the general framework for such medical decision making; it covers all kinds of cases and strategies, including questions of diagnosis, therapy, prognosis, differential diagnosis, clinical presentation, and causality.
The tested material and approaches in this book are based on a course developed and taught by the author at Temple University School of Medicine. Organized for ease of use, accessibly written, and replete with clinically germane examples, Translational Research and Clinical Practice is a concise guide for medical students and clinicians seeking to effectively interpret and apply medical evidence in daily practice.

Step 2 Clinical Knowledge is one of the hardest exams you'll take in your medical training, and it's very important to do well Preparation is the key that separates successful candidates from the rest.
USMLE Step 2 Triage provides a thorough yet high-yield review for the exam, covering a gamut of frequently tested specialties and subspecialties with emphasis on pertinent principles of clinical science and patient-centered skills. Consistently organized, each topic is structured to provide the material in a manageable format, divided into several sections: "Symptoms," "Diagnosis," "Treatment," and "Take Home Points." USMLE Step 2 Triage is geared to facilitate the most comprehensive and efficient preparation for the exam; it is packed with tables and figures, and features 100 full color images. Written by the author of the popular USMLE Step 3 Triage and the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills Triage, this book will help deliver the best results for any student studying for the Step 2 Clinical Knowledge exam.

USMLE Step 2 Clinical Skills Triage is the indispensable preparation book for the Step 2 Clinical Skills exam, presenting 40 high-yield patient-encounter cases that simulate the examination experience. Cases are organized for straightforward learning: a sample dialogue that mimics actual doctor-patient communication is followed by guidelines on performing the physical exam, ending the case, writing the patient note, and outlining the differential diagnosis. Comprehensive yet succinct, the cases address almost all possible exam scenarios, including telephone cases and "difficult patient" encounters. Each case contains detailed and relevant information on presenting complaints and conditions, with pertinent points highlighted and boxed for easy review. Written by the author of the popular USMLE Step 3 Triage, this book is optimal for either individual or group study and for any student interested in reviewing how to practice applying medical knowledge and patient-centered skills.

From probe design to applications in clinical settings, this book provides a diverse set of instructive examples, guided by experts in the field who offer easy-to-follow experimentals. The book first offers an introduction to the basic principles of fluorescence and then describes applications of fluorogenic probes in real-time PCR, which currently is the gold standard for quantitative DNA and RNA analysis.

Coverage extends the potential of realtime as well as advocates simplifications of the probe technologies. It also presents a new simplified molecular beacon design, EasyBeacons, and demonstrates the utility in DNA methylation profiling.

The Indian subcontinent is a vast land mass inhabited by over one billion people. Its rich and varied history is reflected by its numerous racial and ethnic groups and its distinct religious, cultural and social characteristics. Like many developing countries in Asia, it is passing through both demographic and epidemiological transitions whereby, at least in some parts, the diseases of severe poverty are being replaced by those of Westemisation; obesity, diabetes, and heart disease, for example. Indeed, as we move into the new millennium India has become a land of opposites; on the one hand there is still extensive poverty yet, on the other hand, some of the most remarkable developments in commerce and technology in Asia are taking place, notably in the fields of information technology and biotechnology. India has always fascinated human geneticists and a considerable amount of work has been done towards tracing the origins of its different ethnic groups. In the current excitement generated by the human genome project and the molecular and genetic approach to the study of human disease, there is little doubt that this field will develop and flourish in India in the future. Although so far there are limited data about genetic diseases in India, enough is known already to suggest that this will be an extremely fruitful area of research.

Few clinical disciplines have been transformed so dramatically by advancements in science and technology as gastrointestinal surgery. To begin with, modern ph- macology has virtually eliminated some kinds of surgery altogether. If one were to take a peek at a typical operating room schedule in a busy hospital of the 1960s, gastrectomies of one kind or another would have constituted a large block of the major surgeries. The advent of effective H2-histamine receptor antagonists and, more ] + recently, the H, K -ATPase (proton pump) inhibitors led to a precipitous decline in those procedures such that they are rarely performed today. Exciting new approaches to treating inflammatory bowel diseases and their complications-such as fistulas- with anticytokine therapy may one day have a similarly profound effect on surgery for this condition as well. Beyond pharmaceutics, advances in imaging techniques have greatly facilitated the identification and characterization of pathology in the gastrointestinal tract in a way that would have been unimaginable only a few years ago. Just to visualize the pancreas in some way was a horrendous task until abdominal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, or computer tomography made it simple. The fact that the gut is a hollow organ that can be accessed through the mouth, anus, or even through the wall of the abdomen has been fully exploited with fiberoptic endoscopes that can bend around corners with ease and permit surgery to be conducted through them.

The diagnosis and treatment of common dermatologic problems is a critical area of skill and knowledge for primary care physicians. According to the US Department of 1 Health and Human Services, patients present to their physicians a skin rash as their chief concern for nearly 12 million office visits each year. In 73% of these office visits, patients see their internist, family physician, or pediatrician. In this respect, astonishingly, primary care clinicians see far more skin disease in their offices than dermatologists. Dermatology Skills for Primary Care: An Illustrated Guide advances the targeted skill and knowledge base of primary care physicians, as well as the collaboration between dermatologists and primary care physicians, by its wise choice of organization, scope, and approach. Dermatology Skills for Primary Care: An Illustrated Guide by Drs. Trozak, Tennenhouse, and Russell is an important addition to the dermatology literature because it has been written collaboratively by a skilled dermatologist and two excellent academic family physicians. As such, the book superbly targets the depth and scope of needs of primary care practitioners in the field of dermatology.

Authored by leading international researchers, this monograph introduces and reviews developed tomograhic methods for discovering 2D and 3D structures of the ionosphere, and discusses the experimental implementation of these methods. The detailed derivations and explanations make this book an excellent starting point for non-specialists.

RevMED 300 SBAs in Clinical Specialties is a book of 300 single best answer questions covering a range of topics in paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology and psychiatry. These topics are the focus of 4th or 5th Year examinations in most medical school curriculums and have usually been separated from topics in general medicine and surgery.Question books are an exceptionally useful resource for medical students preparing for their clinical exams. RevMED 300 SBAs in Clinical Specialties is written by students who have recently sat clinical examinations at medical school and is designed to be student-friendly with detailed explanations and flow charts summarising the most up-to-date guidelines. The questions have been edited by teaching fellows and registrars to ensure the topics covered provide students with a functional understanding of important concepts with the hope of aiding their future careers.

Oxidative stress and inflammation are among the most important factors of disease. Chronic infections, obesity, alcohol and tobacco usage, radiation, environmental pollutants, and high-calorie diets have been recognized as major risk factors for a variety of chronic diseases from cancer to metabolic diseases. All these risk factors are linked to chronic diseases through inflammation. While short-term, acute inflammation generated by the immune system serves a therapeutic role, chronic low-level inflammation that may persist "silently" for decades is responsible for chronic diseases. Inflammation, Lifestyle, and Chronic Diseases: The Silent Link describes the role of dysregulated inflammation in persistent and recurring diseases. It investigates links to lifestyle and presents research on how the suppression of proinflammatory pathways may provide opportunities for both prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. The book covers neurodegenerative diseases, pulmonary diseases, asthma, rheumatic and arthritic diseases, skin disease, heart disease, chronic wounds, infectious disease, neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression, gastrointestinal diseases, insulin resistance, and cancer, many of which are also diseases of old age. For each chronic disease, contributors review the clinical and scientific literature and examine current and potential therapies, including conventional pharmacotherapies as well as natural products. Noting that the long-term use of steroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause adverse side effects, many of the chapters address the role of dietary agents such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, pulses, nuts, and spices as ideal anti-inflammatory agents that can be consumed regularly. The book also suggests directions for further research. Clinical and science researchers, students, and health professionals interested in the link between inflammation, lifestyle, and chronic diseases will find this an informative resource.

This practical, engaging book provides concise, real life-tested guidance to healthcare teams concerned with widely reported and incentivized hospital quality and safety metrics, offering both a conceptual approach and specific advice and frameworks for reviewing quality and safety numerator events, from the perspective and experience of clinicians and administrators working within the Ochsner Health System. The text opens with the rationale for closely managing widely (including publicly) reported hospital patient quality and safety measures. Attention is given to the financial implications of quality performance, with respect to both penalties and payment incentives used by payer organizations. It then reviews the major public ratings and their relevant methodologies, including CMS, AHRQ and NSHN. In addition, it addresses ratings by proprietary organizations that have a large member clientele, such as Vizient, USNews, Leapfrog, Healthgrades, CareChex and others. Each metric - for example, the AHRQ Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs), and other metrics such as readmission rate, risk adjusted complications, hospital-acquired conditions and mortality - is addressed in a stand-alone chapter. For each, the importance, approach to review, opportunity for optimization, and engagement of healthcare staff are reviewed and discussed. Overall, this book forefronts the benefits of a collaborative approach within a health system. The concurrent review process, multidisciplinary collaboration among quality improvement, clinical documentation, coding and medical staff personnel are all emphasized. Also described in detail is the approach to and specific opportunities for medical staff education and engagement. Additional key topics include Engagement of the Medical Staff and House Staff (i.e., residents and other trainees), Futile Care, Surgical Quality Improvement (NSQIP), Nursing Provider Partnership, and Translation of Data Review to Successful Performance Improvement. Specialty chapters on pediatric, neurologic and transplant quality metrics are also included.

The seventh edition of this BMA award-winning pocket guide provides essential information for doctors based on the comprehensive Kumar & Clark's Clinical Medicine - the highly respected, gold-standard textbook on the treatment and management of medical conditions. Essentials is intended as an easy-to-access revision reference that provides important information for doctors on the ward, including normal values, medical emergencies, useful websites, abbreviations and a dictionary of terms. This best-selling book has been fully updated and is accessible, coherent and concise, making it an essential companion for medical students, doctors and health professionals in the UK and around the world. Small and compact - can be taken anywhere Clearly laid out, logical and easy to follow Emergency guide for quick reference Illustrations and tables to enhance understanding New section on COVID-19 New chapter on Elderly Medicine and Frailty Winner of the Internal Medicine category at the 2018 BMA Medical Book Awards Enhanced eBook version included with purchase. Your enhanced eBook allows you to access all of the text, figures, and references from the book on a variety of devices. New co-editor Euan Sandilands New chapter on Elderly Medicine and Frailty

Now for the first time, a new diagnosis and treatment guide with even more focus on the most commonly encountered disorders than ever before. All major internal medicine diseases and disorders are covered in this new succinct evidence-based guide to treatment and diagnosis in internal medicine. Organized by body system, and focused on critical core topics, the Mayo Clinic Internal Medicine Concise Textbook is replete with summary tables, algorithms, and summary points. Easy-access to tables of current medications, indications and side-effects saves time and improves treatment outcomes. In addition, special sections provide expert guidance on preparation for the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge and Clinical Skills examinations.

The field of medical education and training has undergone dramatic changes within the past few years, and continues to evolve. Modernising Medical Careers, changes in the statutory role of the Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board, and the Good Doctors, Safer Patients report from Liam Donaldson, Chief Medical Officer, are just some of the factors affecting the way doctors are now learning. In this book, Yvonne Carter and Neil Jackson, experienced medical educators of both undergraduates and postgraduates who have demonstrated a long standing commitment to multi-professional education and training, bring together a prestigious team of contributors with a wide variety of experience across diverse academic, service and lay backgrounds, to provide a comprehensive, up to date review of medical education and training.
With the demands on young doctors increasing, along with higher patient expectations, the need for ongoing education and training within the medical profession has never been higher. This book offers theoretical and practical guidance for those planning, delivering, and receiving education and training in ever-changing healthcare environments. Themes covered include assessment, professionalism and medical regulation, educational standards, patients' expectations, Continuing Professional Development, leadership and management, the European Working Time Directive, Fitness to Practice, interprofessional learning, the development of the NHS workforce, equality and diversity, and ethical and legal issues. Medical education needs to be a lifelong process, and this book integrates both undergraduate and postgraduate issues throughout, to encourage continued learning.
This book will help ensure that future generations of doctors are trained to meet the changing needs of our population.

This groundbreaking volume is the first to analyze how and to what extent bioethics considerations influence today's judges. Previous books have attended to the law that governs bioethics problems, but this is the first to examine when and how bioethical issues impact judicial reasoning and decision-making. The volume examines the cutting-edge of the relationship of bioethics to law, and explores how law receives, assesses, and uses bioethics.

In Vivo Models of Inflammation (Volume 1 and Volume 2) provides the biomedical researcher in both the pharmaceutical industry and academia with a description of the state of the art animal model systems used to emulate diseases with components of inflammation. This second edition acts as a complement to the first edition by describing and updating the standard models that are most utilized for specific disease areas. In addition, new models are included exploring emerging areas of inflammation research. The format is designed with the laboratory in mind: Both volumes provide detailed descriptions of the methodologies and uses of the most significant models. This includes current information regarding agents that demonstrate efficacy, those that do not and those that can be used as standard controls. The focus remains on those models that serve as pre-clinical correlates to human disease as well as those that represent components of the inflammatory response. Pioneering ideas and provocative comments about future directions are meant to challenge the status quo and stimulate new thinking. Therefore, new approaches to the development of future models in selected therapeutic areas have been highlighted. The focus on novel technologies that are vital for innovative in vivo research has been expanded to include chapters on the use of transgenic and gene transfer technologies, nanotechnology, and stem cells. This up-to-date reference manual helps to select the best animal model for a specific question. At the same time, this set of books continues to acknowledge the solemn responsibility in vivo research carries with it and extends the coverage of animal respect and welfare when used in experimental settings. Chapters describing current regulations in the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan address these concerns. Thus, the ultimate aim of this set of books is to provide current best practices for obtaining the maximum informat

The new edition of this best-selling title from the popular 100 cases series explores common scenarios that will be encountered by the medical student and junior doctor when working in the community setting, and which are likely to feature in qualifying examinations. The book covers a comprehensive range of presentations from tiredness to tremor. Comprehensive answers highlight key take home points from each case and provide practical advice on how to deal with the challenges that occur in general practice at all levels.

"MRCP Part 1 Self-Assessment" is the perfect revision aid. Drawn from the highly successful Medical Masterclass material from the Royal College of Physicians of London, this concise volume is specifically designed to cover the topics and format found in the Membership to the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP) Part 1 examination. The large scale, lavishly illustrated, full-colour format makes it easy to comprehend complex topics. With contributions from an extensive list of prestigious and authoritative professionals, the questions cover all areas of assessment, including the scientific background the medicine, general clinical skills, acute medicine and a range of specialties. It is ideal for examination MRCP candidates, doctors preparing for the European Diploma in internal medicine and junior doctors wanting to revise their knowledge and skills.'This collection of self-assessment questions and explanatory answers has been drawn from Medical Masterclass, which is produced and published by the Royal College of Physicians of London. The questions have been specifically written to help doctors in their first few years of training to test and revise their medical knowledge and skills; and in particular to pass postgraduate examinations, such as the MRCP(UK)' - John D Firth, in the Introduction.

Praise for
Improving Healthcare Through Advocacy
A Guide for the Health and Helping Professions

"Bruce Jansson's thoughtful and innovative book will appeal to students in social work, nursing, and public health as well as those working in the health field of practice. The case examples are extraordinary, and Jansson provides the ideas, context, and theoretical base for readers to acquire the skills of advocacy in healthcare. This is by far the best advocacy book I have seen."
--Gary Rosenberg,
PhD Director, Division of Social Work and Behavioral Science
Mount Sinai School of Medicine

""Improving Healthcare Through Advocacy" is a terrific description of opportunities for advocacy intervention and provides the skill sets necessary for effective advocacy. A needed book."
--Laura Weil, LCSW
Director, Health Advocacy Program
Sarah Lawrence College

""Improving Healthcare Through Advocacy" is an invaluable resource for practitioners working in the healthcare field as well as for students. It very thoroughly covers healthcare advocacy issues, contains real-world case examples, and provides a clear, step-by-step framework for practicing advocacy."
--Kimberly Campbell, ACSW, LCSW
Lecturer, Department of Social Work
Ball State University

An important resource for all who strive for the best in healthcare treatment for their patients, themselves, and the nation

Bestselling author and award-winning researcher Bruce S. Jansson uses an intervention framework to illustrate how everyone in the healthcare system can advocate effectively, not just for better healthcare delivery to individual clients but for the necessary policy change that will deliver long- term solutions to our nation's healthcare crisis as well.

"Improving Healthcare Through Advocacy" provides professionals with:

Tools to move from traditional services to case advocacy and policy advocacy tasks

Over 100 case studies from the perspective of patients, healthcare providers, and others who relate the experiences they have encountered in the healthcare system and share the wisdom they have learned

Practical tips on how to provide effective advocacy and bring about positive and long-term change in this complex environment