The Patient's Guide to Medical Tests

Buchanan General Hospital, VA. Provides the consumer with a basic understanding of the diagnostic procedures and tools used by physicians hospitals, and commercial laboratories. Organized alphabetically and presents more than 1,000 commonly prescribed tests and procedures. Previous edition: c1998.

This book has provided me with important information as a consumer of medical services, and has provided my mother peace of mind as someone who has been undergoing a number of medical tests. The book clearly defines various procedures, patient preparation, and often includes comments about tests that patients are seldom told but ought to know. This book has been so helpful. I am a layperson with no medical knowledge. But to be able to describe a test to my mother in advance of the procedure, to let her know when it is non-invasive versus invasive, to know what kinds of physical symptoms or complications may follow a test...this has been invaluable information. I strongly recommend this book for anyone who has to undergo, or has someone close to them who will undergo, medical tests. The price is [reasonable] given how much useful and potentially lifesaving information it contains.