Preface
his book is intended to be a clear and concise reference for physicians
and allied health professionals. Its user-friendly format is designed to provide a fast and efficient way to identify important clinical information and
to offer practical guidance in patient management. The book is divided into
five sections and an appendix, each with emphasis on clinical information.
The tremendous success of the previous editions and the enthusiastic
comments from numerous colleagues have brought about several positive
changes over time. Each section has been significantly expanded from
prior editions, bringing the total number of medical topics covered in this
book to more than 1200. New illustrations, tables, and boxes have been
added to this edition to enhance recollection of clinically important facts.
The expedited claims submission and reimbursement ICD-10CM codes are
included in all topics.
Section I describes in detail 1,000 medical disorders and diseases—
including 30 new topics this edition—arranged alphabetically and presented in outline format for ease of retrieval. Topics with an accompanying
algorithm are identified with an ALG icon; similarly, those topics with an
accompanying online Patient Teaching Guide (PTG) are identified with a
PTG symbol.
Throughout the text, key quick-access information is consistently highlighted, with clinical photographs to further illustrate selected
medical conditions, and relevant ICD-10CM codes listed. Most references
focus on current peer-reviewed journal articles rather than outdated textbooks and old review articles.
Topics in Section I use the following structured approach:
1. Basic Information (Definition, Synonyms, ICD-10CM Codes, Epidemiology & Demographics, Physical Findings & Clinical Presentation, Etiology)
2. Diagnosis (Differential Diagnosis, Workup, Laboratory Tests, Imaging
Studies)
3. Treatment (Nonpharmacologic Therapy, Acute General Rx, Chronic Rx,
Disposition, Referral)
4. Pearls & Considerations (Comments, Suggested Readings)
Section II includes the differential diagnosis, etiology, and classification
of signs and symptoms. This practical section allows the user investigating a
physical complaint or abnormal laboratory value to follow a “workup” leading to a diagnosis. The physician can then easily look up the presumptive
diagnosis in Section I for information specific to that illness. Several new
signs and symptoms have been added to this section for the 2022 edition.
Section III includes more than 150 clinical algorithms to guide and
expedite the patient’s workup and therapy. For the 2022 edition, we have
continued to update algorithms and colorize online versions for improved
readability.
Physicians describe this section as particularly valuable in
today’s managed-care environment.
Section IV includes normal laboratory values and interpretation of
results of commonly ordered laboratory tests. By providing interpretation of
abnormal results, this section facilitates the diagnosis of medical disorders
and further adds to the comprehensive “one-stop” nature of our text. New
illustrations and tables have been added for this edition.
Section V focuses on preventive medicine. Information here includes
screening recommendations for major diseases and disorders, patient
counseling, and immunization and chemoprophylaxis recommendations.
The Appendix is divided into nine major sections. Appendix I contains
extensive information on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM),
including Common Herbs in Integrated Medicine as well as Herbal Activities
Against Pain and Chronic Diseases. With this material, we aim to lessen
the current scarcity of exposure of allopathic and osteopathic physicians
to the diversity of CAM therapies. Appendix II focuses on nutrition, with
an emphasis on dietary supplements, vitamins, and minerals. Appendix
III deals with diagnosis and treatment of acute poisoning. Appendix IV is a
guide on impairment and disability evaluation. Appendix V focuses on the
protection of travelers. Appendix VI is new for this edition and addresses
care of the transgender patient.
Appendix VII—available in the online version of Ferri’s Clinical Advisor—is a repository of practical patient instruction sheets, organized alphabetically, and covers the majority of topics in
this book. These guides can be easily customized and printed and serve
as valuable tools for improving physician-patient communication, patient
satisfaction, and ultimately quality of care. Appendix VIII and IX offer guidance related to palliative care and preoperative evaluation, respectively.
I believe that we have produced a state-of-the-art information system
with significant differences from existing texts. The information offered in all
five sections and patient education guides could be sold separately based
on their content, yet are available under a single cover, offering the reader
tremendous value. I hope that the Clinical Advisor’s user-friendly approach,
numerous unique features, and yearly updates will make this book a valuable
medical reference, not only to primary care physicians but also to physicians
in other specialties, medical students, and allied health professionals.
