Dr Podcast Scripts for the Final FRCA

Dr Podcast Scripts for the Final FRCA R. A. Leslie, E. K. Johnson, G. Thomas, A. P. L. Goodwin ( eds ). Cambridge University Press , 2011 , ISBN 978-1-107-40100-6 , 498 pp., Price £37.00 Dr Podcast Scripts for the Final FRCA is a useful companion to the Dr Podcast Final FRCA audio material. The book is written by a collection of anaesthetists who have recently sat the Final FRCA examination and it has been extensively reviewed by a panel of consultants. The text is presented as a dialogue between examiner and candidate, as one would expect from a Structured Oral Examination (SOE). It covers a wide range of topics spanning the Final FRCA syllabus in four broad sections: medicine; surgery; emergency medicine and intensive care; and anatomy, regional anaesthesia and pain. The book can be used in conjunction with the audio podcasts or as a stand-alone revision textbook. The subjects are discussed in a detailed, comprehensive manner that at times may be extensive, but allows readers to excel and recognise the point at which they are performing particularly well. It is well-tailored to the Final SOE, but is also useful for the written section of the examination. In particular, the anatomy, regional anaesthesia and pain sections are concise and well written. Furthermore, there is excellent use of references with relevant literature allowing candidates to expand further on their knowledge. There are some errors within the text, as well as conflicting information at times, probably representing the disparity within the literature. Visual aids with more diagrams would further complement the text. Additionally, certain core topics are absent, such as management of fractured neck of femur, a favourite of both short answer questions and SOEs. Whilst the primary syllabus may remain timeless, the content of the Final FRCA examination is increasingly topical; therefore this book must be supplemented with more up-to-date knowledge of recent guidelines and publications. Nevertheless, Dr Podcast Scripts for the Final FRCA fills a gap in the market for a much-needed general revision textbook for the Final FRCA examination.