The Bottom Line: A Layman's Guide to Medicine(HC)

Book by Richard K. Stanzak

This well-researched work gathers current information to present the "cons" of current medical practices, using evidence-based medicine. Stanzak has many years of experience as a critical care nurse, has authored several papers, and has filed two patents. He intends this book to connect readers with information about the field of medicine and how it affects people's health. The author discusses controversies such as the use of antibiotics; nurse shortages; costs of medical care; malpractice; and the use of nonmedical interventions, including nutrition and exercise. Written for the general public, this well-presented volume provides a multitude of current references to support the content and encourage further reading. An expanded table of contents allows easy location of desired information. Although numerous graphs and figures support the text, some labels are slightly blurred. Bottom Line Medicine offers a look at medical practice from the patient's point of view, making this book relatively unusual. Comprehensive and detailed index.
Summing Up: Recommended. Public, medical, and academic libraries; all levels. --Choice Magazine, B. C. Thomsett-Scott, University of North Texas

Stanzak, a molecular biologist turned critical care nurse, asks if the term "medical science" is an oxymoron. After years of seeing patients die or have poor medical outcomes despite aggressive and advanced medical care, Stanzak began to question whether that medical care was all that advanced. Here he explains to those who are undergoing that medical care, or whose common sense informs them they will eventually undergo it, that they need not be included in the estimated 250,000 unnecessary deaths of those in care. He gives reasons for exercising due caution and retaining empowerment as he describes how doctors get their information on care, how drug companies must operate to remain profitable, poisons in prescribed drugs, invented diseases, medical malfeasance, antibiotic-proof bugs and defensive medicine lead to marginal benefits, if any, of treatment and a decided avoidance of disease prevention through diet, lifestyle and social factors. --Booknews