Oxford Handbook for the Foundation Programme (Oxford Medical Handbooks) [Paperback]

 

 

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I don't know if my review will be relevant to most people (!)... but this book is excellent for people who have been out of medicine (and in research) for way too many years (8) and returning to clinical life. Contains all the practical facts about clinical care (that are actually easier to forget than the medicine itself) and administrative aspects that clinical medicine textbooks just don't cover. And of course, also updates you with the new fangled way of doing things in the NHS!

I got this book a month ago and found it extremely helpful. It's great to carry around with you on the wards and refer to quickly should you need to.
It covers the duties of FY1 and FY2, examples of a pre- and post-foundation cv, how to write notes,discharge summaries, dealing with being on-call,referrals, miscellaneous conditions in medicine, surg and A&E, basic procedures, lab test interpretation and lots lots more. Get it if you want some insight into what foundation posts entail. It's great.

Good Points
* "Starting as an F1" - a chapter full of really good practical tips to prepare for starting as an F1 doctor
* "Your career" - this section gives readers information about the different career pathways and tips on how to get where you want to go. (CV / interview advice etc...)
* Inclusion of example documents that may need to be filled in
* Written examples of completed documents e.g.
o Death certification
o Controlled drug prescription
o Referral letters
* Lots of useful nuggets of information not normally found in handbooks e.g.
o Basic statistics
o Advice on house hunting and tax
o Basic sign language / phonetic alphabet
* Clinical information is laid out by presentation rather than disease ( very good for On-calls)
* A section covering different specialties - gives tailored information for the job you are in
* Useful section with descriptions of commonly performed procedures.
* Good section on interpretation of results
* Small and compact - perfect for an On-call bag.

Bad Points
* The text can be very dense at points despite being separated and subcategorized by topic
* Lack of flowcharts - these can be invaluable, as the doctor would essentially work through the flowchart when they see the patient
* Lack of colours - colours limited to only blue, red and black
* Not enough use of photos or diagrams (most of the figures are tables)
* Not enough use of imaging figures (e.g. xrays / ct scans / ultrasound)
* Lacking a section on the prescription of commonly used drugs (e.g. analgesia / laxatives / diuretics / anticoagulation)

Who is it aimed at?
* Foundation year 1 doctors and Final year medical students about to become Foundation year 1 doctors

Does it achieve what it set out to do ?

* The publishers say that this is a book for "surviving as a FY1 doctor" and it does in fact deliver. There is a lot of information in this book, that is not taught in medical school, that will help junior doctors through their foundation training - mainly with regards to administrative / organizational skills and dealing with On-call presentations. Publishers also claim that the book "will help you get your next job", and it's "careers" section provides valuable information about how to progress up the ladder - CV tips / interview skills / membership exams.

Verdict
* I can see why the Oxford Handbook for the Foundation Programme is so appealing. It is small, compact, concise and good value for money. It seems to be made with foundation doctors in mind - all the clinical sections are divided into common clinical presentations. Ideal if a doctor is called to see a patient with a certain condition - then the doctor can just work through the relevant section (e.g. chest pain). The first few chapters are also extremely useful. They give the reader many tips and tricks on how to survive as a Foundation doctor (many of the administrative / organizational parts of the job are never taught in medical school) and in medicine as a whole (information about pay banding / tax/ house-hunting is always useful)

* However, that is not to say this book is without flaws. Its compactness and conciseness comes at a price. There is a distinct lack of figures whether they be diagrams, photos or clinical imaging. This makes it a very text heavy book which, although hits the mark in terms of content, can at times feel very soulless when presented in its restrictive red blue and black colour palette.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Good
Although it is the second hand, it was really in a very good condition like new. And the delivery time was reasonable. The book came on time when I need.

Published 6 months ago by Taylan

5.0 out of 5 stars A must buy..
this book is really good and a must have for those starting their foundation years .. helps you in every way when u r just starting fresh at hospital.... Read more

Published 15 months ago by ReenaR

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!! All F1s need one!!
Spent the best part of this morning absorbed in this book. Was fretting so much about starting work this August as an F1 but with this book by my side I now feel at least a little... Read more

Published 19 months ago by hedonistic_future

3.0 out of 5 stars oxfor handbook for foundation programme
delivery was extremely fast. and the book was well packaged and semi new as it was stated. however i thought it was the newer edition of the same book and it was not clearly... Read more

Published 19 months ago by doctor

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for paramedics
This book covers all aspects that are relevant for my work as offshore paramedic during my duties in the on-board clinic. Read more

Published 22 months ago by Christoph Schroth

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!!
This book contains invaluable information you cannot find any where. I would highly recommend it to fresh graduates or to any one whos looking to join the NHS as a doctor. Read more

Published on 7 Aug 2009 by Amazon customer

5.0 out of 5 stars A junior doctor's companion
If you're a junior doctor starting with a foundation programme, this book certainly needs to be in your pocket wherever you go. It's a company you'll certainly appreciate.

Published on 26 Mar 2009 by D. Gurung

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