1. The following review appears in the January 2005 issue of JEMS Magazine.

EMS practitioners will find Medical Case Studies an easy read.  The writing style is appropriate and gets to the point.

In the case studies, which are all medical cases, readers are taken from the beginning of a hypothetical ambulance call: “Your unit is dispatched to a middle school at 141 E. Blanco Street for a 41 year old sick female. [A picture of the patient in distress is provided.] You and your partner respond to the scene, which is 3 miles from your station.  The time of the call is 8:10 a.m.”

The text itemizes the appropriate patient assessment data and provides an area for the reader to write in the initial management of the patient.  It gives the patient’s focused history and physical exam findings, and a copy of the ECG tracing with an area to write in the interpretation.  Also included are the vitals and SAMPLE history and areas for the reader to critically process this information.  Some of the in-hospital emergency department treatments and lab findings are provided.

The study answers and summary are where the author and the book really shine.  Not only does the book tell the reader what the correct answers are, but it actually goes on to explain the correct interpretations and impressions – as if you’re speaking with a physician at a case review session.   The value-added portion of this book:  Not only are the explanations clear and concise, but they are well-researched.  For example: In the case above the text indicates the patient with carbon monoxide poisoning should go to a hyperbaric chamber and also describes the half-life, in minutes, of the various percentages of carbon monoxide on the basis of the patient’s inhaled oxygen levels.  Entry-level paramedic textbooks often don’t even describe this particular issue to this level of detail.

2. From The Pre-hospital Volunteer (UK), Summer 2005

Case studies reinforce patient assessment and management

Medical case studies for paramedics and Trauma case studies for paramedics, both written by US paramedic Stephen J Rahm, contain 20 case studies representing a variety of medical and traumatic emergencies. Each case starts with a presentation interspersed with critical thinking questions. Some of the tasks students are asked to do are:

·         describe the appropriate initial management based on initial assessment findings;

·         formulate a field impression based on the patient’s signs and symptoms and findings of the history and physical examination;

·         identify specific treatment regimes for the patient’s injury or condition;

·         determine whether further treatment is required following reassessment; and

·         identify any special considerations for care or safety.

Each case study is followed by the answers to the questions asked, as well as:

• additional signs and symptoms commonly associated with the patient’s injury or condition;
• pathophysiologic information regarding the patient’s injury or condition; and
• information and justification for each treatment modality.

Both books are designed to reinforce the importance of systematic patient assessment and management by presenting the reader with traumatic and medical emergencies likely to be encountered in the field. Not only ideal for paramedic (and Technician/EMT) students to test their knowledge and prepare for examinations, the books are suitable for more experienced pre-hospital care providers to challenge, refresh and develop their knowledge, not only as preparation for examinations but as a continuing professional development tool.

After speaking to Stephen at EMS Today, we found that he is in the process of producing Pediatric case studies for paramedics – if it is as good as these two books then it will be another worthwhile addition to the bookshelf.

3. Other Reviews


In summary, I find the book well-written and well-researched.  The information is presented in an understandable, logical style with many tables that offer solid take-home messages to the provider.  I eagerly await Trauma Case Studies for the Paramedic by the same author and review team.

Reviewed by Paul Werfel

"Although this book is specifically geared toward students, as a professional, I found it to be challenging and well worth my time to work through.  I highly recommend this and the others in the Case Studies for the Paramedic series as a refresher for anyone involved in EMS."

Mike Whooley, EMT-P
From the July 2004 issue of EMS Magazine

"I really enjoyed the Medical Case Studies for the Paramedic book.  I used it as the final practical exam for my students and was really impressed by the narratives, assessments, and especially liked the case study and answer questions.  I will be adding it to my suggested reading list of helpful books for my next class."

Toni Roberson
Alamance Community College