Thrilling skilling | |
100 ECG problems. |
The electrocardiogram (ECG)
can be a great leveller in medicine. It is common to see various combinations of medical students, nurses, junior doctors and specialists huddled around an ECG, debating what it shows. With his latest pocket-sized text, John Hampton succeeds in further demystifying what in theory should be a relatively basic medical skill but in the real world sometimes proves to be quite the opposite. One hundred ECGs are shown, each with a brief clinical vignette and a management question. On the next page salient features of the ECG are described, followed by a clinical interpretation and brief discussion about the management of the condition described. Each ECG abnormality is also cross-referenced to the author's well-known previous texts The ECG made easy and The ECG in practice. The strengths of Professor Hampton's book are many. The combination of a brief history and clinically relevant question not only challenges the reader to give extra thought to the interpretation, but also makes the learning process far more enjoyable. The ECGs are randomly arranged rather than being grouped together according to the disease process or rhythm abnormality they represent, mirroring the manner in which medical personnel are confronted with ECGs in their day-to-day practice (or examination hall). Each ECG is also rated to indicate the degree of difficulty, allowing readers to make a rough self-assessment of their level of competence. Although limited by the physical dimensions of the book, the clarity of the tracings is generally excellent, and the spectrum of ECGs shown (from normal variants through to a few clinical rarities) is a good representation of the problems encountered in current medical practice. Rather than being a reference text, 100 ECG problems is primarily designed to be a revision tool - for students at all levels preparing for examinations through to more experienced clinicians wanting to refresh and test their knowledge. By combining basic principles of electrophysiology with commonly encountered conditions, Professor Hampton has managed to turn what can often be a somewhat dry and daunting task into one that is both challenging and interesting. Ross Prpic
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