Field Guide to Global Health & Disaster Medicine, 1st Edition
By Chambers, James A., MD, MPH&TM, FACS, FCS(ECSA), CPE
ISBN: 9780323794121
Pub Date: June 4, 2021
Reviewed By: Anna A Helm, BS, MPH (Multnomah County)
Description
The book is a current, concise bringing together of the most essential information needed to provide healthcare under challenging circumstances including care for refugee and internally displaced populations. The topics of medical response to disasters and pandemic preparedness are discussed. Specific infectious diseases and the steps involved in making a differential diagnosis are described. The basics of public health and field epidemiology are presented. The varying cultures, motives, resources and limitations are acknowledged and presented in a manner that helps one understand the issues and political environments that might facilitate or interfere with the provision of care.
Purpose
The purpose of the book is to support efforts to advance health security for all with a practical, portable reference for non specialist healthcare providers who find themselves providing care in complex humanitarian disasters, austere environments, or demanding geographical settings. It is intended to orient the healthcare provider to issues she/he may encounter whether in a refugee camp, operating room, disaster response situation, or other extreme environment or social setting.
Audience
The book has a wide audience including those providing or planning to provide health care in the field whether that be in a conflict zone, geographical area following an environmental disaster such as an earthquake, typhoon, or wildfire, or border area where vulnerable people have congregated as they flee economic collapse of their society, famine, or political unrest. Policymakers and planners will find much of interest in chapters that explore organization and system level issues. Students and practitioners of public health will use it as a reference. Every public health department would benefit from having a copy available.
Features
Topics covered range from infectious diseases and steps toward a differential diagnosis to surgery in austere medical environments and major associated challenges as well as public health and field epidemiology. There are chapters that address pandemic preparedness and response as well as medical response to disasters. The material in the book is a coherent, integrated, well-organized whole.
Assessment
The book is an excellent resource for all healthcare providers who anticipate or find themselves caring for vulnerable people whether they be refugees, immigrants, displaced persons, or victims of a major weather event, earthquake, or conflict. It will also be an excellent resource for planners and policymakers. The book is a significant addition to the collection of books, field guides, and references intended to help prepare healthcare providers to successfully respond to the challenges they may encounter when providing care in areas with limited political, institutional, material, and physical resources and support. It also makes available information essential to fulfilling their roles as healthcare providers.
©Doody’s Review Service, 2021, Anna A Helm, BS, MPH (Multnomah County)
Doody’s Score: 90 – 4 Stars!
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