Book excerpt: The most convenient, authoritative overview of family medicine and primary care -- completely updated and expanded! A Doody's Core Title ESSENTIAL PURCHASE! Praise for an earlier edition--"This portable, 700 page paperback is an excellent reference for practitioners caring for patients in ongoing settings. Information is complete, yet readily accessible. Information is prioritized well, making it easy to locate information rapidly. It will be a cost-effective addition to the shelves of thousands of hardworking family doctors. 5 STARS!"--Doody's Review Service Great for USMLE Step 3 review, board certification, and maintenance or recertification Concise, evidence-based coverage of the diseases and syndromes most commonly seen in clinical practice Organized according to the developmental lifespan, beginning with childhood and adolescence, focusing on the reproductive years, and progressing through adulthood and senior years -- includes end-of-life issues Complementary and alternative treatments included where appropriate Recommendations for both immediate and ongoing management strategies Numerous algorithms, charts, and tables encapsulate important information Conservative and pharmacologic therapies Patient education information Sections on Therapeutics, Genetics, and Prevention; Psychosocial Disorders; and Physician-Patient Issues NEW chapter patient-centered medicine