title: Medical Subspecialty Textbooks in the 21st Century. Essential or Headed for Extinction?
abstract: In recent years, the role of medical subspecialty textbooks as sources of information for students, trainees, and practicing clinicians has been challenged. Although the structure of textbooks continues to evolve from standard, printed versions to digital formats, including e-books and online texts, we maintain that the authoritative compilation of clinical and scientific material by experts in the field (i.e., a modern-day textbook) remains central to the education, training, and practice of subspecialists. Regardless of format, an effective medical subspecialty textbook is authoritative, comprehensive, and integrated in its coverage of the subject. Textbook content represents a unique synthesis of clinical and scientific material of real educational and clinical value. Incorporation of illustrations, including figures, tables, videos, and audios, bolsters the presentation and further solidifies the reader's understanding of the subject. The textbook, both printed and digital, reinforces the many widely available online resources and serves as a platform from which to evaluate other sources of information and to launch additional scientific and clinical inquiry.
authors.affiliation: 1 Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco General Hospital, San Francisco, California; and.
authors.forename: V Courtney
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Broaddus
authors.affiliation: 2 Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division, Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Grippi
mesh_terms: D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000639:trends*; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D066209:Medical Writing / Q000592:standards*; D013782:Textbooks as Topic / Q000266:history*; D019371:Topography, Medical / Q000592:standards*
keywords: continuing medical education; medical education; medical topography; medical writing