Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide

by Anthony L. Komaroff (Editor), Harvard Medical School

The first health guide for the era of managed care is also the only one that will never go out of date. www.health.harvard.edu/fhg offers page and index searches for updated information on every entry.Today we all have a better chance of living a longer, healthier life than ever before -- but only if we know how to utilize the advances in medicine science has given us. Whether you depend on traditional fee-for-service health care or some form of managed care, you must make health decisions in partnership with doctors...doctors with whom you may only spend a few minutes. How can you sort out the confusing, often contradictory health information that is bombarding you daily and communicate clearly and effectively with your doctor? How can you gain access to the best care and evaluate the care you are getting?

The "Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide" answers these essential questions and many more. The first health guide written specifically to empower readers in the era of managed care, it is the culmination of 200 years of clinical care, health education, and medical research -- bringing you the expertise of more than 7,000 health professionals from some of the nation's most esteemed hospitals and research centers. In this book, they have gathered the most authoritative, comprehensive, easy-to-understand, up-to-the-minute information about the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease in every stage of life to help you:



Make the most of the time you spend with your doctor.

Decide when and if you need to see a doctor.

Avoid dangerous drug interactions.

Explore alternative treatments safely.

Choose wisely among treatmentoptions.

Access emergency and other important information easily.

Learn the most effective ways to prevent disease.

Consult with the most renowned doctors in America, including Herbert Benson, T. Berry Brazelton, Robert Coles, and Richard Ferber.

Receive the most current information from our Web site, which gives you free online updates.

Harvard Medical School consists of world-renowned affiliated hospitals, clinics, and research foundations, which include:

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center - Brigham and Women's Hospital* - Cambridge Hospital - Center for Blood Research - Children's Hospital* - Dana Farber Cancer Institute - Harvard Pilgrim Health Care - Joslin Diabetes Center* - Judge Baker Children's Center - Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary - Massachusetts General Hospital* - Massachusetts Mental Health Center - McLean Hospital - Mount Auburn Hospital - Schepens Eye Research Institute - Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital - VA Boston Healthcare System

(*CONSISTENTLY RANKED AMONG THE 10 BEST HEALTH INSTITUTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES)

Throughout its history, Harvard's doctors have made important medical breakthroughs, including: the discovery of anesthesia - the birth of brain surgery - the first human organ transplantation (Nobel Prize) - the discovery of the polio virus (Nobel Prize) - the discovery of vitamin B12 as the cure for pernicious anemia (Nobel Prize) - the discovery of how the human eye sees (Nobel Prize) - the discovery of the aspirin-a-day prevention strategy for heart disease

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Health

1272 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1999

Reviews

[Madelyn Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book. It is really long, yet was still good to read. This is a book that people should read just to get some random information for every house.

This book was really well organized and luckily there was an index to find anything I needed. The Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide had lots of good lessons for people to have for their house and just for people to know. The book really won't go out of date. It gives information about different body systems and procedures used on those systems. The book also stresses the importance of visiting the doctor and maintaining a healthy body.

In the beginning of the book, it mostly goes over choosing the right doctor and insurance plans. Not very interesting, but still important.

I really liked the sections on diagnosing disease, skin infection-like pages (and there were some pictures on the skin infections. Not the best pictures to look at, but accurate ones), and the pages on insect/poison ivy-like things.

All in all, this is a good, accurate medical book that is definitely worth giving a whirl. Another good thing about this is that it is easy to read and easy to understand. Especially for someone who isn't a doctor. Happy Reading!

-Madelyn

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have not read the entire thing! Its huge!!! But it is a must have for every home.

[Nikos Korexenidis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a complete health guide Which you can read and have a general knowledge about most conditions but it is also a place Where you can search specific information. Of course using Internet is more up-to-date and is preferable. One thing that I don’t like in this book is that it has some paragraphs with alternative medicine which I don’t think it is scientific appropriate for a health guide

[Brittany]

Komaroff, A. L. (2004). Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide. New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Citation by: Brittany Payne

Type of Reference: Handbook

Call Number: R 613 Kom

Content/Scope: The book provides the information necessary for effective use of each body system and stresses the importance of active participation in health care and maintenance. It would be great to use in a science or health class.

Accuracy/Authority/Bias: The 162 physicians who contributed to the book are all faculty members at Harvard Medical School. It is medically accurate, and does not present bias.

Arrangement/Presentation: The encyclopedia begins with a chapter on navigating the health-care system, covering choosing physicians, hospitals, and insurance plans. It then discusses such standard topics as nutrition, exercise, health maintenance, and necessary care. Readers learn which tests and examinations they need at various ages, how to do self-examinations, how to prevent diseases, and how to stay healthy while traveling. Flow charts for specific symptoms guide users through the decision-making process and tell them when to consult a physician. There are chapters on diagnosing disease; diseases and disorders of specific organs and systems; the health of men, women, children, adolescents, and seniors; and caregiving, death and dying, medications, and first aid. The appendix contains a glossary, referral lists, and nutrition charts.


Relation to other works: In comparison to other medical handbooks, this one has greater depth of its explanations.

Accessibility/Diversity: This handbook is easy to read, and it will appeal to a diverse audience. Middle school students will find this easily accessible and will enjoy perusing the contents.

Cost: $40

Professional Review:
Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide.
2004. 1,288p. Simon & Schuster, hardcover, $40 (0-684-84703-5). 610.
REVIEW. First published December 1, 1999 (Booklist).

[Ryan]

Due to the fact that it's nearly 10 years old I would not use it as an authority on all diseases. However, it appears to be a great compilation of symptoms and cures for some of the more understood diseases.

[Susannah]

my bf and i love to grab this book when we feel under the weather or have some kind of ailment!

[Kevin Olsavsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference to keep in the house....