Tab Article

For the last three decades, the Indian Association of Dermatologists, Venereologists & Leprologists’ Textbook has proved to be the ultimate reference book for the budding and practicing dermatologists in India and the subcontinent. In the present times, the speed of advancements in the field of Dermatology is amazing, and with the changing therapeutics and management concepts, the challenges to keeping pace with these advancements are well-taken care of in the fifth edition. 155 chapters are integrated into 25 sections with the very basic to advanced details. Every topic is detailed in depth with precision and meticulous consideration, covering the large spectrum of conditions in the subject of Dermatology. This 21st Century Textbook is produced with the knowledge that nowadays, a vast amount of information on almost any subject is available on the internet or in the many references in libraries. However, a knowledgeable selection of essential and reliable information and distillation of what could be applied to real-life situations in the community is often lacking. Precise and concise expression is always necessary to master the art of the subject, and the thought process should remain chronological, rational, relevant, and stick to clinical presentations in order of occurrence. The main emphasis in the book is on how to recognize the problems and how to formulate practical solutions. Adding a section on Practice management, covering the newer topics such as Pharmacogenomics & Sclerotherapy, devoting a separate section to Hair & nail disorders, illustrations accompanying the tables at relevant places, and upgrading, most chapters with the addition of dermoscopy features, have further uplifted the credentials of this internationally acclaimed textbook. Moreover, it is all to keep the words of Dr. Anthony du Vivier, since he reviewed the first edition in 1994 as “The Best Textbook with Succinct Clear Images” in the British Journal of Dermatology. One of the main strengths of the book is the enormous pool of practical experiences brought to bear by 298 distinguished contributors, 31 section editors, and 39 assistant editors, under the guidance of Chief Editor Dr. S. Sacchidanand and three co-editors Dr. A. S. Savitha, Dr. K. Shilpa and Dr. B. M. Shashikumar sharing their vast knowledge of Indian skin in particular, in a step-wise reader-friendly format, enhanced with an abundance of illustrations, and tables. Many contributors have been academicians, and others are well-established practicing dermatologists. All have considerable experience in working, training, and researching in the field of Dermatology in developed and developing countries.