What's better? Harrison's or Washington Manual of Medicine?

[BlondeCookie]

Just looking for an opinion from people which do they think is better. Harrison's or Washington Manual of Medicine?

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[Adcadet]

Do you mean Harrisons Principles of Internal Medicine (>2000 pages), or Harrisons Manual of Medicine (roughly pocket sized)? I'm going to assume you mean the later. I'm only a fourth year, but I do have both. IMO Washington is more practical and the format makes it a lot easier to carry. HMOM has a lot more information but the focus isn't as focused on practical treatment/management. I get the impression that Washington was written for the intern who needed to figure out how to survive his/her first admission of a particular type, wherease HMOM was written to give a more academic background. For example, Washington tells me to restrict CHF patients to <1.5 liters/day and warns me to check for sleep apnea and Harrisons says nothing about fluid restriction nor sleep apnea in the treatment sections. But Harrisons covers many topics that aren't covered in Washington.

 

[quidnunc]

Between the Harrison's Manual of medicine (by Kasper) and the Washington Manual, I'd go with the later since it's more clinically oriented and provides a better, more thorough practical approach to commonly encountered problems by housestaff. The Harrison's manual is a little more on the academic/encyclopedic side (which is fine, if that's what you're looking for). Both are great books, although I would also consider the Osler (Hopkins )Internal Medicine Handbook, which IMHO, I think is the best of the three for practical day to day encounters in the wards.

-Q

 

[Adcadet]

What I want to know is how Washington stacks up against Pocket Medicine (blue the MGH IM book) and the just new edition of the Osler Medical Handbook.

 

[Loopo Henle]

Somebody should do a randomized controlled crossover study. That way we will all know for sure which is the best and all the other companies will just go out of business. Seriously, They are all probably pretty good. Just pick one or two and go with it. You are not going to use it as your sole source of information (I hope) anyway.

 

[BlondeCookie]

Yes, my intent was to ask for an opinion of the manuals. Sorry, if that was confusing. My understanding was that these two manuals, Harrison's and Washington were the most popular. Is this correct? I've never heard of the Osler (Hopkins) manual. If it is that good, maybe I should look into it as well. I was told to pick one Manual and stick with it. I know it's all personal preference and all, but just a couple last questions... In your opinion, and this may sound dumb, but what is the best one for a student doing clinical rotations? And which is the one that's going to stick with someone throughout residency & career?