GENERAL MEDICAL
REFERENCE BOOKS

Disclaimer.

Check your local library for the basic reference works. Most medical libraries, especially those connected with large university teaching hospitals, should subscribe to the medical journals referenced in any of the resources included below.  Many of the books are also available at Amazon.com, an online bookstore.  Click on the Book Title for descriptions and prices.

General Medical Reference Books

Medical Dictionaries

Medical Directories and Encyclopedias

Medical Indexes

Prescription Drug Handbooks

General Medical Reference Books

The Patient's Desk Reference: Where to Find Answers to Medical Questions.

Freed, Melvyn N.; and Graves, Karen J.
New York: Macmillan, 1994.

Written especially for the lay person, this guide provides information on ideal starting points for research on rare disorders. Chapters are uniquely arranged by the kinds of questions that a patient might ask, and "answers" are listed alphabetically by subtopic. Because an individual patron may not "ask" the same questions, patrons are also advised to use the index to find precise information.

 

Medical and Health Care Books and Serials In Print 1996. . 25th ed. 2 vols.

R.R. Bowker.
New York: Bowker, 1985- . Annual.

Produced by the same publishers as the more familiar Books in Print series, this bibliography focuses on medically related books that are currently published or distributed in the US and serial titles that are published internationally. Books are listed by author, title, and Library of Congress subject headings. Patrons are advised that the listing of a title in this publication does not necessarily verify its existence, and you should contact the publisher directly if you have trouble locating a copy.

 

The Consumer Health Information Source Book (5th Ed). 4th ed.

Rees, Alan M.
Phoenix: Oryx Press, 1994.

A timely source of wide ranging information relating to health and medicine. Written with the lay person in mind, this guide evaluates nearly 1000 popular books, magazines, and newsletters, as well as CD-ROM products and on line databases. It also lists ordering information for hundreds of pamphlets, and lists toll-free numbers for health-information clearinghouses, support groups and hotlines. Includes title, author, and subject indexes, as well as a directory of publishers for ordering information.

 

Encyclopedia of Health Information Sources: A Bibliographic Guide to Over 13,000 Citations for Publications, Organizations, and Databases on Health-Related Subjects.

Rees, Alan M.
2nd ed. Detroit: Gale, 1993.

Provides comprehensive access to over 13,000 health-related organizations, publications, and databases on specific health topics. Far more exhaustive than Consumer Health Information Sourcebook, yet not evaluative. Topics include specific rare disorders such as Lyme Disease, yet also include bibliographies as sources of information on types of medical tests, general medicine, and psychological disorders. A nice feature is the arrangement of sources within each topic by type of source or form of information, such as "directories", "online databases" and "dictionaries".

 

National Organization for Rare Disorders. Physicians' guide to rare diseases.

Montvale, New Jersey: Dowden Publishing Co., 1992.

Although written for the general practitioner, this guide is extremely easy to understand. A good preface and introductory article discusses the needs and frustrations of patients suffering from rare disorders. Chapters are organized by classification of diseases, such as "genetic diseases and dysmorphic syndromes" and "neurologic and psychiatric disorders" and begin with a listing of all disorders covered in that chapter. Entries range from two to three pages, and follow a standard format including description of the disease, eponyms (or alternate names for the disease), symptoms, related disorders,and treatment.

 

Medical Dictionaries

Mosby's Medical, Nursing, and Allied Health Dictionary. 4th ed.

Glanz, Walter D.; Anderson, Kenneth N.; and Anderson Lois E.
St. Louis: Mosby, 1993.

Several good medical dictionaries exist for medical personnel, such as Taber's Cyclopedic Dictionary and Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary. This particular dictionary is different in that its language is less technical than the standard medical dictionaries, it employs a readable typeface, and has numerous color photographs accompanying the definitions, which are also indexed. An added feature is its color tables of human anatomy. Recommended by the National Organization for Rare Disorders.

 

Medical Directories and Encyclopedias

Encyclopedia of Associations. 29th ed. 3 vols. Detroit: Gale, 1956- .

Koek, Karin E.; Martin, Susan B.; and Novallo, Annette, eds.
Annual, plus updates.

Available in virtually any public library, this guide has two chapters covering medical and health-related organizations, support and consumer advocacy groups. One of the first sources to turn to when looking for information about any type of disorder. An alphabetical name and keyword index is located in volume 3. A related publication that is worth checking if available is Encyclopedia of Medical Organizations and Agencies: A Subject Guide.

 

Medical and Health Information Directory : A Guide to Associations, Agencies, Companies, Institutions, Research Centers, Hospitals, Clinics, Treatment Centers, Educational Programs, Publications, Audiovisuals, Data Banks, Libraries and Information Services in Clinical Medicine, Basic Bio-medical Sciences, and the Technological and Socio-Economic Aspects of Health Care. Kruzas, Anthony T.; Gill, Kay; and Backus, Karen, eds. 3rd ed. 3 vols. Detroit: Gale, a1977-. Irregular.

While not as easy to use as the Encyclopedia of Associations, this directory is far more comprehensive than any other medical directory, listing over 50,000 organizations. Listings include hospitals, clinics, research and treatment centers, publications, libraries, and self-help associations. Each volume can be used independently of the others. Entries are grouped by subject, then geographically by state and city, and then alphabetically by name.

 

The Official ABMS directory of board certified medical specialists 1996.

Marquis Who's Who
27th ed. 4 vols. New Providence, New Jersey: Marquis Who's Who, 1994- . Annual.

An indispensable guide listing physicians specializing in common as well as rare disorders. It is the official listing of board certified physicians that are authorized by the American Board of Medical Specialists, indicating those doctors who have met rigorous certification requirements. Descriptions of board requirements head each medical specialty, which then lists physicians by state and city. The directory is indexed by physicians' names, specialty and state/city.

 

9479 Questionable Doctors Disciplined by States or the Federal Government. VanTuinen, Ingrid; Wolfe, Sidney; and McCarthy, Phyllis.

Washington, D.C.: Public Citizen Health Research Group, 1991.

A very useful directory in determining if the patron's chosen doctor has been reprimanded or disciplined for unprofessional or criminal activity (United States only). Physicians are listed by state, then alphabetically. The advantage is in the convenience of looking up multiple physicians practicing in several states. Because the directory was published in 1991, the patron should check with the appropriate state board of health to double-check a physician's standing.

 

Medical Indexes

Index Medicus: A Classified Index of the Current Medical Literature of the World.

National Library of Medicine. National Library of Medicine.
Washington: National Library of Medicine, 1960- . Monthly.

This is the standard index to the medical literature, primarily for medical personnel. It's advantage is its comprehensiveness and availability, as most academic and hospital libraries subscribe to it in either the standard or abridged form. Patrons may look up citations to journal articles by author or by subject heading, the latter being more convenient. Medical subject headings, called MeSH, are revised and updated each year to accommodate new terms in medical literature. Citations are available via interlibrary load from either the closest regional division of the National Library of Medicine, or from the Library itself. Loans are made via the patron's local library and there is an $8.00 fee per photocopy or loan of books.

Prescription Drug Handbooks

Drug Interactions Guide Book.

Harkness, Richard.
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 1991.

Especially intended for the lay person, Harkness' guide lists the uses of each particular drug, and the combinations of drugs, alcohol, and/or food that must be avoided, as well as a section describing how to handle reactions from unwanted drug combinations. This book is especially relevant to those taking five or more prescription drugs per day, providing a quick reference to prevention of dangerous drug combinations. Includes an excellent index of both generic and trade-names.

 

Complete drug reference - 1998 (Annual). 14th ed.

United States Pharmacopeial Convention.United States Pharmacopeial Convention.
Yonkers: Consumer Reports Books, 1994.

Prepared under the authority of the organization that sets the standards for purity, strength, and packaging of prescription drugs, this is one of the most comprehensive prescription drug handbooks for the consumer. Entries are easy to understand, comprehensive. Drugs are classified by category of medication - patrons would use the index to find specific entries for brand-name or generic drugs. Includes helpful appendixes such as guides to chemotherapeutic drug combinations, implications of drugs taken during pregnancy and breast feeding, and a color drug identification guide.

Also published as: United States Pharmacopeia: Drug Information, Vol. 2: Advice for the Patient