Preface

The Mini Textbook Series

Being a community-based physician necessitates becoming a well-rounded practitioner, which can take many years or even decades of clinical practice. These physicians are constantly challenged to diagnose a wide range of illnesses swiftly and safely, while also offering therapies based on the most recent data. In a community context, where resources are limited, they must manage everything from little issues to major problems, making their job both challenging and critical. A community-based physician must cover a broad range of medical concerns including pediatric, geriatric, obstetric care, general medical conditions, acute trauma, infections, mental health issues and periodic medical examination. Most often, they also manage multifactorial medical conditions like chronic pain as well as unhealthy use of substance involving opioids, cannabis, nicotine, alcohol and cocaine. There are several hindrances in treating patients with multiple health concerns in a general office setting. Some of these challenges include the lack of quick diagnostics services like X-rays, blood test, CT scans and MRIs. They also have limited access of allied healthcare providers like rehab, physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors and psychologist. Moreover, not being able to timely obtain previous medical data about a patient is also a problem.

After years of undergraduate education, medical school, residency training and clinical practice, the reader will find this Mini Textbook series compliments larger and voluminous traditional textbooks. While these Mini Textbooks provides brief, practical guidance, readers are advised to consult regular textbooks for additional in-depth material as needed. I hope that the series will be useful as a short and efficient reference guide for busy community-based physicians. However, no resource can substitute sound clinical judgment. The information in these books should be used with caution and responsibility, considering the specific needs of each patient and situation.

My goal is to publish a series of Mini Textbook that will not replace extensive, traditional medical textbooks, but rather serve as useful, quick-reference aids. These textbooks are intended to provide concise, understandable descriptions and reviews of the most recent and efficient treatments and methods. They have been developed specifically for practicing physicians, nurse practitioners, residents, medical students, and allied healthcare providers, providing a rapid and practical understanding of crucial topics. These books can serve as a steppingstone for scholars, guiding them in the direction of more in-depth research by citing the most recent and relevant sources.

Readers are advised to study conventional textbooks for more information, as well as to investigate journal articles and research papers in their fields of interest. It is critical to remember that sound clinical judgment, grounded on evidence-based science and research, cannot be replaced. Medicine is an empirical field; thus clinical experience is paramount.

There are no conflicts of interest to declare. The Mini Textbook Series is totally self-funded by colleagues, friends, and family who share a desire to advance medical knowledge.

We appreciate constructive criticism and recommendations for improvements. Please feel free to contact us with any comments or criticism.