The Color Atlas and Synopsis of Family Medicine, Third Edition

Book Title: The Color Atlas and Synopsis of Family Medicine, Third Edition

Book Author: Richard P. Usatine, Mindy A. Smith, E.J. Mayeaux, Jr, and Heidi S. Chumley

Publication Information: New York, McGraw-Hill Education, 2019, 1,645 pp., $165.00, hardcover

While previous editions were intended to be used as a reference atlas facilitating diagnosis based on outwardly appearing signs and symptoms, The Color Atlas and Synopsis of Family Medicine, Third Edition, has been reworked into a comprehensive reference meant to be used at the point of care. It covers a number of topics unique to family medicine, as well as wide range of general medicine topics arranged by organ system. Each chapter is introduced by a patient story that humanizes the topic, followed by epidemiology, risk factors, guide to diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and a management guide. The management guide helpfully includes first- and second-line therapy, as well as what not to do. Follow-up and education are also emphasized, and separate links are included for patient and provider resources.

The first few sections are well written and cover important topics to family medicine, such as the doctor-patient relationship, end of life, social justice, and global health (including emerging infections such as Zika, Ebola, MERS, and SARS). Educational and thought provoking, for the most part they will likely be appreciated when read at leisure, and are not likely to be referred to at the point of care. The sections on emerging infections, however, will be of immense benefit to the clinician who sees returning travelers, with helpful maps of distribution of disease in the world, risk factors, symptoms and their time course, diagnosis, and treatment. Important information on which diseases are reportable, as well as up-to-date links to CDC provider and patient resources are also included.

The chapter on dermoscopy, part of the newly revamped dermatology section, warrants special mention. It serves as a tutorial for the beginning user or review for the experienced user, clearly explaining the findings that can be seen using both diagrams and photographs. It includes a readily-followed algorithm to determine diagnosis, and more importantly indicates which lesions must be biopsied as opposed to which can be monitored.

Other dermatology sections include an extensive atlas, with photographs of both normal skin changes as well as pathology, review of dermatology terminology, guides to choosing appropriate biopsy techniques, treatment options (that includes a section on topical and intralesional steroids), and indications for referral. This will enhance clinicians’ confidence in handling most in-office dermatological conditions.

This timely addition also includes such hot topics as mental health, the opioid crisis, dementia, sports-related head injury, and LGBT health. Like earlier chapters in this book, these are well-written, quickly accessed, discuss both first- and second-line treatment, and contain follow-up guidelines. The section on sports-related head injury will be especially indispensable to non-sports medicine physicians who volunteer with youth sports teams. Emergency on-field management, including reminders for first aid as well as on-site screening tests and indications for imaging, are included. Postconcussion follow up and indications for referral are enumerated, as well as information on prevention.

Chapters covering substance abuse and the opioid crisis enumerate signs and symptoms, expound on the social determinants of health and their inter-relation with these diseases, and provide helpful guidelines for managing these patients, including appropriate screening for associated diseases. However, only brief mention is made of medication assisted treatment (MAT). This book’s reach could have been extended by including links to SAMHSA-HRSA resources and certification programs.

LGBT sections include helpful considerations of care in these populations, mental health challenges, and special disease risks and screening needs.

Overall, The Color Atlas and Synopsis of Family Medicine, Third Edition, will be an invaluable addition to busy physicians’ clinical libraries. Its wide-ranging topics covering the gamut of family medicine are thoroughly covered and efficiently organized for point-of-care use. This, as well as its useful and exceptional photographs, will make it a resource the clinician will reach for again and again during evaluation of unfamiliar conditions. Residents and students will find it particularly useful as they systematically broaden their experiences and fund of knowledge—well done!