First published in 1992, proof of the continuing popularity of this handy dictionary from McGraw‐Hill is attested by the launch of a third edition containing 5,000 new terms. One might be forgiven for wondering why, in a rapidly changing scientific field, the second edition was published only five years after its first appearance whilst the medical community has had to wait a further ten years for this latest revision.
The aim of this dictionary is to provide practitioners in the fields of medicine, nursing and dentistry with a useful vadecum to facilitate communication between practitioner and patient. Without doubt the handy size of this volume – it should fit neatly into most pockets – and the clear typography have been designed to assist all practitioners in the medical and dental services.
In addition to the English/Spanish and Spanish/English sections the dictionary offers three preliminary sections:
- 1.
how to use this dictionary (also in Spanish);
- 2.
medical Spanish tips (in which the practitioner is encouraged to learn correct Spanish pronunciation); and
- 3.
a section on Spanish pronunciation.
At the end of the volume there is a final section of sample dialogues. The dialogues are arranged in a series of topics including allergies, family history, nursing and dentistry and range from “Good morning, I'm Dr Jones”, through “Say ah”, and “Tell me if it hurts” to “I need to examine you for a hernia”. Many of us can no doubt think of an occasion when we have tried to communicate using a phrase book and having little knowledge of the particular language. Nevertheless, where a life hangs in the balance information which is ready to hand may be crucial.
To be useful a reference work of this type naturally requires regular updating. Many new drug names have been included, bringing the total listed to over 500. In response to reader requests more technical terms have also been added. The present edition contains entries for up to date developments such as beta‐blockers, MRSA and statin. There was no entry, however, for ace‐inhibitors, a popular drug used nowadays for heart conditions. Less clear also was the usefulness of entries such as Jehovah's Witness and Pastime. One wonders, too, whether the brown recluse spider is as much of a health hazard in North America as in its native Mexico. Despite minor criticisms this pocket‐sized volume offers practitioners in the whole range of health services a useful means of communicating with patients. One suspects that the idea for the volume was conceived for medical practitioners in North America where the number of immigrants from Latin American countries has risen steeply in recent years. However, with freedom of movement in the European Union the volume has considerable potential on this side of the Atlantic too. Indeed its low price should ensure a high volume of sales anywhere where there is a need for English‐speaking practitioners to communicate with Spanish‐speaking patients. In short a useful volume for the doctor's or dentist's coat pocket.
