Abstract
Fetal and Neonatal Secrets is a book with an alternative set-up that offers answers to a wide spectrum of clinical questions in the field of fetal and neonatal medicine. The third edition has been updated to include the latest advances in clinical fetal and neonatal techniques. Previous editions were published in 2007 and 2001. The book has a long list of contributors from the USA. Although this may influence some of the clinical practice described in the book, most of the content also applies to Scandinavian countries. As the title indicates, the book covers both fetal and neonatal medicine, and could be relevant for junior doctors aiming to become obstetricians or pediatricians. The book is neither a standard textbook nor an encyclopedia. It has a Q & A set-up with a long list of questions divided into 19 chapters, with 50–200 questions in each. The questions vary from longer, case-like questions to short trivial queries. The book also contains a list of top 100 “secrets,” illustrations and numerous “key points” boxes, providing a good and clear summary. The purpose of the book is to create a traditional apprenticeship-like environment where a trainee doctor learns from a skilled medical specialist. The authoritative approach, however, has been given a modern touch of evidence-based medicine, and there are numerous scientific references. Personally, I find it difficult to navigate through the book. If you are looking for an answer to a specific question, you have to flip through numerous other questions and answers before you find the one that matches your inquiry. However, most of the chapters on individual organ systems, are categorized into specific disease groups, providing a better overview. The authors remain true to the Q & A format of the book, but some clinical situations are difficult to depict as a single question, resulting in some very long case-like questions. In my opinion the book would not suffer if the authors departed slightly from the Q & A format and wrote a case followed by a series of questions. In all fairness and respect the book is not meant as an encyclopedia, nor as a collection of cases. The book is directed at doctors preparing for US board and recertification examinations, and will probably find a bigger market in the US than elsewhere. It could also be used for self-assessment, but as a companion in everyday clinical practice the benefit is limited.
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