Book excerpt: We're pleased to introduce the fourth edition of Lippincott Williams & Wilkins' Comprehensive Medical Assisting, the medical assisting text designed to meet your challenges. This dynamic package of text and resources represent more than just a textbook, instead providing a suite of learning resources. This is the one text aimed at making sure that every graduate can quickly change their cap and gown for a set of scrubs and immediately be a vital member of the medical office. We do this by: Providing the content in an engaging style that speaks to students. Putting pedagogy to work in the text through key features like patient education boxes, competency checklists, procedure boxes, etc. Placing students in the real environment in through our web-based EMR and PMS software package. Showing what we teach through skills videos that demonstrate the procedures and skills described. Constantly reinforcing the learning through additional online ancillaries including animations, ESL resources, etc. Helping instructors lessen planning time, with robust instructor resources. A competency spreadsheet helps faculty members and students track their progress through the material. New content in the fourth edition focuses on addressing crucial changes in policy and technology. Without changing the engaging writing style we're known for, we've made sure that the content is up-to-date and in-line with the needs of the market. We've added content on emergency preparedness, a crucial topic in today's medical office. In addition, instructors will be happy to find the latest CAAHEP and ABHES competencies clearly addressed throughout the text.