Clinical Practice: American College of Physicians Guidelines and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations

Book Review Clinical Practice: American College of Physicians Guidelines and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations, edited by Vincenza Snow, 118 pp, with illus, $31, Independence Mall West, Sixth Street at Race, Philadelphia, PA 19106-1572, American College of Physicians (telephone: 800-523-1546), 2005, ISBN 1-930513-60-7 Type and Scope of Book: A compilation of evidence-based American College of Physicians (ACP) guidelines for management of chronic diseases, ACP guidelines for antibiotic use in adult upper respiratory tract infection, and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines for screening for common conditions. Contents: The ACP and the USPSTF have consolidated their efforts to provide practitioners with the best available evidence for disease management and screening. The management of conditions commonly encountered in primary care is reviewed, and the evidence for recommendations is carefully examined and graded. Goals of treatment are presented in an organized fashion. In the discussions of treatment options and diagnostic testing, the guidelines highlight groups that have not been well studied previously. Also discussed are therapies that are ineffective. The screening guidelines address the latest technologies as well as more traditional tests. Chemoprevention for breast cancer and the use of aspirin are also included in the recommendations. Strengths: This book includes evidence-based recommendations for many conditions seen in primary care practice. Well– thought-out tables and algorithms are provided. The information on antibiotic use in upper respiratory tract infections is particularly helpful and can be used to counsel patients. Deficiencies: The information is presented in a format that is somewhat dense and not easy to read. In addition, many more guidelines will need to be added as they become available. Recommended Readership: Students, residents, fellows, and attending physicians in all types of primary care practice. Overall Grading: ##### Margaret Beliveau-Ficalora, MD, Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minn

Grading Key ★★★★★ = outstanding; ★★★★ = excellent; ★★★ = good; ★★ = fair; ★ = poor. © 2005 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

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