Synopsis
A textbook may sometimes gain the unusual trait of longevity beyond all other books; it can be revised and remain a primary source of information for generations of students. Hyperbaric Medicine Practice seems destined to become such a book. This fourth edition, edited by Harry T. Whelan, pays tribute to its original author, Dr. Kindwall, who died in 2012. It also adds new information of interest to all in the field of diving and clinical hyperbaric medicine. Most chapters have been written or revised by new authors, but many have returned to update their chapters. New chapters include indications for hyperbaric oxygen treatment subjects recently approved for treatment such as idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and central retinal vein occlusion. There are also chapters on submarine rescue and problems that pertain to technical and rebreather diving. This book will be an important addition to the library of physicians in clinical hyperbaric medicine and those involved with divers recreational, commercial, and military as well as other professionals who care for them.
Review
The second edition of Hyperbaric Medicine Practice by Kindwall and Whelan was my first hyperbaric textbook, and I recall studying it extensively during my fellowship, and in the years since, to learn as much as I could about my chosen profession. Back then, the content leaned a little on the anecdotal side with much less concern about evidence-based medicine and systematic meta-analyses. Much has changed in the last quarter century, as our understanding of hyperbaric oxygen physiology has become more sophisticated, and our need for quality, evidence-based practice recommendations has become more urgent. The field of hyperbaric medicine has changed as well. More facilities focus on the delivery of hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic wound patients rather than the treatment of urgent or emergent indications. The modern hyperbaric practitioner is more likely to come from a field with little primary training in hyperbaric physiology and is more likely to spend only a portion of his or her practice treating patients with hyperbaric oxygen. There is great concern amongst veterans of undersea and hyperbaric medicine that the scope of knowledge of the modern hyperbaric practitioner is focused only on a narrow sector of the field rather than appreciating the complexities and nuances of all of the indications for therapy. While some providers may be interested in learning more about the specialty, opportunities for in-depth education are scarce. Fellowship training is preferable for those who wish to devote themselves to the field, but it is often out of reach for established physicians who find themselves practicing hyperbaric medicine as a second career. It is for this reason that we need resources such as Hyperbaric Medicine Practice to provide a comprehensive approach for educating practitioners on the full breadth and scope of undersea and hyperbaric medicine. The Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) has devoted itself to promoting the scientific study of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and raising the level of knowledge of hyperbaric practitioners, so it is with great pleasure that we welcome Hyperbaric Medicine Practice, 4th edition. This fourth edition includes updates to classic chapters, while others have been completely rewritten to address modern-day issues. There are new chapters covering the most recently accepted indications for hyperbaric oxygen therapy while removing some that are less relevant to hyperbaric medicine practice in today s environment. Overall, the fourth edition of Hyperbaric Medicine Practice is an impressive work that should serve veterans and newcomers of undersea and hyperbaric medicine alike. --Enoch Huang, MD, MPH&TM, FUHM President Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society
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