This is the first comprehensive study guide covering all aspects of pediatric critical care medicine. It fills a void that exists in learning resources currently available to pediatric critical care practitioners. The major textbooks are excellent references, but do not allow concise reading on specific topics and are not intended to act as both text and study guide. There are also several handbooks available, but these are usually written for general pediatric residents and lack the advanced physiology and pathophysiology required for the higher level pediatric critical care practitioner.
This study guide will bridge the gap between the current levels of books in press. It will be physiologically based covering major pediatric critical care principles and specific disease entities commonly encountered by the pediatric critical care practitioner. Pathophysiologic aspects unique to the pediatric patient will be emphasized. Chapters will contain 'margin notes' stressing important key points to the reader and study questions based on the chapter focus will conclude each chapter. The outline of each chapter will be dependent on the section of text as outlines below.
The condensed format of coverage is unique, involving heavily-illustrated text with self-assessment material to support learning objectives. The text is supported by case studies, tables and illustrations which describes the important theories and procedures on the pediatric critical care unit. This is useful for both pediatricians with patients either scheduled to enter the critical care unit or be discharged, pediatric critical care physicians and those in training and general critical care physicians who may see pediatric patients in their unit.
About the Author: Steven E. Lucking is Professor of Pediatrics and Chief of the Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital in Hershey, PA. He has special interests in brain injury, shock, bronchoscopy, outcomes evaluation and research.
Frank A. Maffei is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Temple University School of Medicine and Medical Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Janet Weis Children's Hospital at Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA. His special interests include life-threatening asthma, meningitis, traumatic brain injury and the use of bedside ultrasound in the critically ill infant and child.
Robert F. Tamburro is Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital in Hershey, PA. He has special interests in oncologic critical care, clinical research and pediatric palliative care. He is also certified in Pediatric Palliative Care.
Neal J. Thomas is Professor of Pediatrics and Public Health Sciences in the Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital in Hershey, PA. He has special interest in acute respiratory distress syndrome, sepsis/shock, type IV phosphodiesterase inhibition, closed head injury and pediatric critical care medicine research.
