March 2009.indd


SQU MED J, APRIL 2009, VOL. 9, ISS. 1, PP. 97-98, EPUB 16TH MAR 2009    
SUBMITTED - 1ST FEB 09

The Color Atlas of Family Medicine

I AGREED TO REVIEW THIS BOOK SINCE THE IDEA of an atlas in family medicine was novel to me. I was hoping to get a ‘clear picture’ and I was not 
disappointed. This is the first comprehensive atlas
of family medicine. The compilation of this atlas has
required a concerted effort by five editors over many
years. Sixty contributors with outstanding qualifica-
tions, experience, and knowledge were engaged. The
atlas presents more than 1,500 superb clinical images, 
with its primary purpose being to provide useful clini-
cal information for practising physicians, medical stu-
dents, interns, residents, and other health care profes-
sionals.  

The style and organisation of the atlas have some
unique characteristics. Readers are urged to spend few 
minutes reviewing the table of contents at the begin-
ning of the atlas and the topic index. The editors have
provided a challenging brief for the 60 contributors. 
The atlas is divided in to 18 parts that reflects the
wide variety of conditions seen by the family physi-
cian. Family physicians probably see a wider variety of 
rashes, eye conditions, foot disorders than any other 
specialty. The book focuses on medical conditions or-
ganised by anatomical and physiological system. Both 
adult and childhood conditions are covered. There are
special sections on the essence of family medicine, 
physical/sexual abuse, women’s health and substance 

abuse.
The first chapter begins with an introduction to

learning objectives with images and digital photogra-
phy. Then each chapter begins with a patient’s story
that ties the photographs to real life stories and intro-
duces the content of the chapter. This is followed by
epidemiology, aetiology and pathology, diagnosis, dif-
ferential diagnosis and management. Additional sec-
tions on patient’s education and follow-up advice are 
provided. I am delighted that editors included sugges-
tions of online resources for patients and care provid-
ers followed by the key references for further informa-
tion. This format is maintained throughout.  

Some parts are very lengthy. Dermatology, gets 467 
pages of its own, excellently illustrated and very well 
complemented with colour photographs and tables. 
Clearly it is now a major specialty rather than just a 
subspecialty, which would have merited only two pag-
es.

This atlas has 1,095 pages and is not meant to be
read from cover to cover. I therefore urge you to check 
the index whenever you are looking up a topic.  Ap-
proaching A4 size, hard backed, and 4cm thick, it is 
not a white coat pocket book for even the most stalwart 
house officer, but it should succeed in being just what 
it sets out to be, a source of rapid reference, allowing 
students and junior doctors to get clued up on medical 

األسرة لطب امللون األطلس

جيمس تايسنجر تشوملي، هيدي هي مايوه، سميث، مايندي يوساتني، ريتشارد : احملررون

Editors: Richard P Usatine, Mindy A Smith, EJ Mayeux Jr, Heidi Chumley,  
                James Tysinger
Publishers: McGraw-Hill Medical, 2009. $100

ISBN:  978-0-07-147464-1
Orders: www.mcgraw-hillmedical.com

B O O K  R E V I E W



B O O K  R E V I E W :  TH E  C O L O R  AT L A S  O F  FA M I LY  M E D I C I N E 

98

topics with which they were previously unfamiliar, or 
where their knowledge has become rusty. 

This atlas is written for family physicians, but can
be invaluable to medical students, residents, and health 
care providers in primary care. It certainly has much 
to offer to internists, pediatricians, and dermatolo-
gists. It is especially interesting for anyone who loves 
to look at clinical photographs for learning, teaching, 
and practising medicine. I hope this atlas will be a wel-
come aid to all of us and worthy of frequent use.

Despite the novelty of a family medicine atlas, this 
book was enjoyable to read. As each chapter is only 
a few pages long, it is suitable for reading when only 
short snippets of time are available.  If you are new to 
the idea of a family medicine atlas, or if you would en-

joy reading more on the subject from a variety of 
authors, this would be the book for you. 

Can so many subjects be covered adequately in 
a single book? You, the reader, must be the ultimate 
judge. 

R E V I E W E R
Rahma Al Kindi
Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine 
and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Sultanate of 
Oman

Email: rkindi@squ.edu.om