Medical Pharmacology at a Glance
The evolution of paramedicine in recent years has been mirrored by parallel developments in both formal education programmes and the accompanying published literature. No more so is this best witnessed than in the field of pharmacology. A topic which could once send paramedics into 3rd stage shock at its very mention, is now an integral part of a modern paramedic's scope of practice.
A cursory glance at the content of this book reaffirms that assertion with most, if not all, of the subject areas forming the fundamentals of paramedic practice. This offering, however, should not be considered a ‘large’ version of the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Liaison Committee (JRCALC) pocket handbook. While individual drug therapies are given a mention and a list of so-called core drugs is provided, the emphasis is on pharmacology as a whole, with specific reference to some of the most common medical conditions e.g. heart failure, respiratory pathologies and pain management.
The inevitable reflection on reading this informative text is that it lacks a bit of depth. Not a revelation, given the title! That in itself is perhaps compensated for, given the breadth covered by the author. A number of case studies add further substance, diagrammatic content is effective and the key concepts are well-articulated. But to cite a contemporary driver for our profession, those paramedics looking to pursue the notion of becoming non-medical prescribers, additional reading will inevitably be required.
For students, paramedics and other allied health professionals, this would be an ideal text to read if approaching the subject for the first time or simply looking to refresh underpinning knowledge. Accompanied by a dedicated website and other internet-based resources, it isn't difficult to see why this text has proven so popular and is now in its 8th edition. Recommended.