Textbooks - Overview

You will get the most use out of a textbook that suits the ways that you think and that you search for information. Updated editions are only published every three to five years.  Nany publishers now provide an Internet-based version of their textbooks.

Bound Textbooks
The traditional bound textbook is expensive to produce and update. The indexing and search capabilities are limited to about 5 percent of the important words in the text. The format remains popular because it is convenient and requires no knowledge of computers.

Loose-Leaf Texts
These textbooks provide more current information by being updated frequently.  The publisher sends new pages or chapters that are inserted into the textbook’s loose-leaf binder. An example is ACP Medicine, which is updated monthly.

Desktop References
These books emphasize rapid access to commonly used facts. The most common Canadian desktop reference is the CPS, the Compendium of Pharmaceuticals & Specialties produced by the Canadian Pharmaceutical Association.

Table of Contents
Textbooks are organized into logical chapters, but the logic varies between publishers. The ideal textbook for you is one that organizes information in a way that is logical to you.

Index
The index lists key words that can be searched to find information on a given topic. Paper textbooks index about 5 percent of the important words in the text, while electronic versions index 100 percent.

Content
Textbooks represent the conservative “tried & true” opinion of the experts who write the chapters. Comprehensive texts attempt to cover a complete specialty in depth. Handbooks provide a concise summary of frequently-used facts in one specialty area and are usually targeted at medical students or residents,  They can be useful as desktop references.

Readability
An author may be an expert in his field but that does not guarantee that he is a good good writer. However, authors are usually chosen for their track record as an author of journal articles. Readability is also influenced by the style of the editors.

Currency
A new edition of a medical textbook appears about every three to five years. The authors submit their information many months before the book goes to press. A clue to currency is the newest date of the literature references in a chapter where you know there have been recent changes.