Essentials in dermatology with MCQ’s, 1st edition, 2003

Devinder M Thappa

 Ahuja Publishing Co., New Delhi, India

Correspondence Address:
Devinder M Thappa
Ahuja Publishing Co., New Delhi
India

The stated aim of the book is to have a short text book for new entrants to postgraduate studies in dermatology which could glimpse of the subject and understand basic dermatology before venturing for detailed standard text books. The second aim stated is to fulfill the needs of students aspiring for entering for entering in postgraduate courses in reputed institutes.

It has 4 sections. The first section consisting of 192 pages covers the subject of dermatology, followed by section on sexually transmitted diseases which are covered in 35 pages. The third section is on leprosy. These are well written and fulfill the stated aims. The photographs, however, can be further improved.

There are 400 MCQs of single response type. These are well thought of questions covering the recent knowledge about the subject. There is need to have exposure to questions with multiple responses. There is a good coverage of the subject, which I am sure will be enlarged every year. An approach to attempting MCQ′s appears to be very useful chapter, which will help many new entrants who do not have exposure to this type of examination at undergraduate level.

Terminology chapter at the end will be very useful during the first few weeks of the dermatology training or till they get hold of standard text books.

It is important to know the history and the 10 most influential persons in medicine is a nice page to browse. I would, however, have liked to have 10 most influential persons in dermatology to be included. The chapter on "History of dermatology in the world and its evolution in India" needs more details, which will make this book different from all others.

I strongly recommend this book to the new entrants in the specialty training and those preparing for admission to postgraduate courses.

Gurmohan Singh