Preface
The new training system in medicine brought about by Modernising Medical Careers (MMC) in the UK and the new European Working Time Directives (EWTD) present new challenges for the practising clinician on the ward, clinic or operating theatre.
The structured training period is for seven years but s/he will be expected to know the details of each and every condition, how they present and how to manage them from Day 1. Reduction of training time is not unique to Europe and similar reductions are taking place in other countries such as America and Asia Oceania. Although there will be seniors present to train the junior doctor, they should have some baseline knowledge in order to ensure that they are in a position to have an intelligent and useful discussion with their Senior mentor. A Desk Reference that is available in every clinic, ward or theatre should be able to provide the user with enough information to understand the nature of the problem. It may even provide sufficient knowledge to solve it or at least to prompt initial investigations and management. Not all the conditions one encounters in daily working life are common problems; they will be varied and of different magnitudes. Even an experienced clinician may not remember all the detailed steps to follow to help resolve every problem. Furthermore, if they have not encountered the problem recently, the optimal investigation and management plan may have changed significantly. The Desk Reference provides information on the breadth and depth of Obstetrics & Gynaecology that will help the clinician to provide optimal care for their patients by offering appropriate investigations and treatment.The sections and chapters in the book are organised in a way that is to easy to navigate once the major area is identified – akin to the ‘Yellow Pages’ Telephone Directory. Within each section the topics are displayed in alphabetical order.
Not all topics in each section will fit into the same mould, but effort has been taken to prepare it in the same style, in order to make it easy for the reader. The book therefore is different from conventional books. Many practising clinicians may have good knowledge in several topics but be weak in others. This book should cater for those who like to “zoom in” straight to the problem they are trying to solve.The Editors are internationally renowned for their expertise in the different subspecialties. The authors have been chosen based on their special expertise to cover the entire field of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. They have taken great effort to consult the latest articles in Pubmed, the Cochrane Reviews, NICE and RCOG Guidelines in constructing their chapters. Each of the editors have edited their subsection.
This book will improve knowledge and enhance high quality, safe, evidence based practice. Every book is likely to have errors and omissions. The editors and the publishers welcome constructive criticism from their reader, which will enable them to make the next edition even more comprehensive.