Handbook of dialysis therapy. 4th ed. Allen R Nissenson, Richard N Fine, editors. Philadelphia: Saunders, 2008 (1632 pp). ISBN 978 1 4160 4197 9.

Renal replacement therapy for end-stage renal disease continues to be a complex area requiring integrated care by physicians, surgeons, nursing staff, technical staff and allied health staff. There is a continued need for well written books in this area, providing useful overviews and guides to formulating diagnostic and management plans. This handbook fulfils many of these criteria.

Handbook of dialysis therapy is problem-oriented and clinically relevant, covering many areas of day-to-day management and long-term issues relating to the patient undergoing chronic dialysis. The standard medical topics in dialysis therapy are covered, as well as many other key areas for optimising patient management (such as the technical aspects of dialysis, setting up a dialysis unit, and nutritional, psychological, social, and pharmacological considerations). It includes topics relating to the adult and paediatric dialysis population, and a range of dialysis modalities available to patients.

As a handbook in a very specialised area, it assumes a base level of knowledge by the reader, yet provides an easy-to-read overview for professional staff dedicated to the area of dialysis, including nephrology trainees. It is well referenced for further in-depth reading.

Throughout the book, there are numerous summary tables and diagrams, making it reader friendly. If there are criticisms to be mentioned, they mainly relate to the brief nature of some chapters; however, the intention of the authors was always the provision of a wide coverage of topics in a concise style. Considering the extent of the areas covered, the authors have done well to balance breadth and detail.

Chapters are written by a number of prominent individuals in the area of nephrology. I am impressed with the practical daily considerations that are covered — one of the book’s strengths. In addition, this handbook would appeal to both medical and allied health staff, particularly to those at an early stage in their careers involving the management of patients undergoing dialysis therapy.