Fast Help for Major Medical Conditions: A Gale Ready Reference Handbook (GALE READY REFERENCE HANDBOOKS SERIES) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0787639494 ISBN 13: 9780787639495

Publisher: Gale / Cengage Learning, 1999

Synopsis

This reference contains 100 entries arranged alphabetically by condition or disease. Each includes a definition and description; discussions of causes and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment (including alternative therapies), prognosis, and prevention; and contact information for numerous national, regional, and state organizations. Though directed to the general reader, the information includes quite thorough descriptions of tests used in diagnosis and medications and their side effects. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

About this title

Reviews

Aimed at reference librarians needing quick answers to a wide range of patron questions, the "Ready Reference Handbook" series provides information, essays, overviews, and contact information. The quality and usefulness of the information provided, however, varies in each. Since much of the material in these six volumes is gleaned from other Gale titles and also some government publications, librarians might wonder whether they need to purchase some of these works. Although First Stop for Jobs and Industries provides information on more than 500 jobs and 1100 industries, this unillustrated paperbound work duplicates much material already available in Occupational Outlook Handbook, an illustrated clothbound volume published by the U.S. Department of Labor. Where To Go, Who To Ask, which contains descriptive listings of associations, databases, publications, and research centers, is gleaned mostly from the Encyclopedia of Associations and other Gale publications. Gale's Guide to Nonprofits features over 4600 entries, including names, addresses, phone/FAX numbers, e-mail addresses/URLs, and descriptions. Again, much of this material on nonprofits was gleaned from the Encyclopedia of Associations, Research Centers Directory, Newsletters in Print, and other Gale publications. Containing descriptive listings of 4200 organizations, publications, and databases, Gale's Guide to Genealogical & Historical Research contains many citations derived from Regional, State, and Local Organizations. The last two titles discussed here probably present the most material not available in other Gale publications. Offering material on 100 common medical diseases and conditions, Fast Help for Major Medical Conditions (FHMMC) provides some unique information, both original and specially researched, including introductory essays providing an overview of a particular disease or condition and lists of state, regional, and local organizations garnered by both the FHMMC staff and federal and nonprofit health agencies. Finally, the very interesting Fast Answers to Common Questions, modeled after the Science and Technology Desk Reference (LJ 3/15/93), was co-compiled by the Saint Louis Public Library. Containing 4500 common and not-so-common reference questions in a wide variety of fields, this work is organized in a Q&A format and includes specific citations for every answer provided. Since all these works are paperbound but still pricey, the durability of the volumes may also be a purchase factor for volumes that can expect frequent use. Nonetheless, libraries with specific needs and without the other Gale titles will find these useful.DDonald Altschiller, Boston Univ. Libs.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

One hundred medical conditions are included in this guide, both physical (AIDS, cancer) and psychiatric (bipolar disorder, bulimia). The alphabetically arranged chapters contain essays that describe and define each disorder, followed by lists of supporting associations, agencies, organizations, clinics, and treatment centers.

Thorough information is provided for each condition. The chapter on breast cancer defines the clinical stages of the disease and explains the commonly used diagnostic methods and current treatment procedures. Specific drugs are listed along with their purpose, how they work, and any potential side effects. The narrative portion of each chapter is generally two pages in length, but the extent of the resource lists varies. Five organizations are found in the chapter on chronic fatigue syndrome, while more than 50 national organizations are listed for multiple sclerosis, followed by regional organizations and a state-by-state directory of clinics. Entries for state and regional organizations and clinics include address, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses. The entries for national organizations are straight out of Gale's Encyclopedia of Associations but without the details on membership, staff, meetings, and so on. There is duplication between chapters, especially for organizations that cover more than one disease.

A glossary defines words and concepts that appear within the essays. A section called "Subject Cross Reference" links topics such as aging and cancer to appropriate chapters. All organization and resource names, as well as former and alternate names, are listed in the index.

Information is well organized and easily accessed, and the combination of essays and resource lists is useful. The volume will be a useful tool in public and consumer-health libraries and in colleges with a health-sciences curriculum.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Edition details

• Publisher: Gale / Cengage Learning
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0787639494
• ISBN 13: 9780787639495
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 1647
• Editor: Anders Caryn E., Pearce Lynn M.