Expected by my attendings
I had an attending chastise me at one point for not carrying around a Harriet Lane. It is a good book, but I don't think it's necessarily the best. It's main weakness is that it is too big to carry in your pocket book; it is by no means pocket size. It's not the best for medical students as it often doesn't include basic things like common presenting symptoms of common disease. But it's considered the gold standard for residency.
Harriet Lane Pediatric Handbook
I bought this book for my 4th year pediatric acting internship. I thought that it was very helpful. Most of the residents at my school use this book for reference. I would recommend it, especially as a quick reference for pediatric doses of medications.
Great Pharm, OK for the rest
If you're going into peds, there's no way to escape this book. That said, at my school at least, this book has a reputation for being fantastic in terms of the Pharmacology (I wish more pharm books were written the way this section is), solid on the Fluids and Electrolytes section, and average-to-iffy on the rest...by which I mean there is a lot that's missing, and a lot that is wrong (often lazy editing mistakes, like mistyped formulas...which is okay if you already know the formula is wrong, but can be tricky ground if you're an M3 doing your peds clerkship).
So if your school or program doesn't have online access, you're probably fated to buy or borrow this book...just be careful the way in which you use the non-Formulary sections...there are many other more comprehensive and more accurate resources out there.
Decent pocket reference, far from comprehensive
This manual is decent as a pocket reference while on the floor, but lacks the comprehensivity of a good desk reference. There are many common pediatric conditions (such as hernias, slipped femoral capital epiphysis, etc.) that don't even get a mention in the Harriet Lane. This reference is definitely made for someone who has some experience and background in pediatrics, since much of the information on the various conditions is written in a telegraphical format and assumes that the reader has a basic background in pathophysiology and disease. The best part of this handbook is the medication synopses (it tells you only what you need to know, not an overload of information like the PDR), as well as the information on emergency treatments and procedures.
I would recommend this only as an adjunct to the Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, which costs about the same and contains much more detailed information on conditions for patients of all ages, and is much more comprehensive. I was surprised that the Merck Manual detailed many more pediatric conditions than did the Harriet Lane, even though the former is not even a pediatric-specific manual. The only downfall of the Merck is that it doesn't quite fit in a labcoat pocket.
Harriet Lane Handbook
This book needs no review from anyone. It is the "bible" of pediatric care.
My order was handled expeditiously and the book arrived in excellent condition
in about 4 days. Very happy with the service.
(13 reviews)
