What isDifference between two of "Bledsoe's" Param

[Scaramedic]

Essentials of Paramedic Care = 24 used & new available from $5.00

Paramedic Care: Principles and Practice Series Volumes 1- 5, 2nd Edition = $ 224.95

[Ridryder 911]

From what I have read him to describe that the "big book" was the publishing wanted a "bible" type, so FD's would only have to purchase one book, instead of multiple volumes. Maybe, he can give some more insight, he usually reads these posts occasionally...

R/r 911

[bbledsoe]

The 5-volume series has 700 or so more pages than the 1-volume text. The 5-volume covers all of the DOT minimal and extra material while the 1-volume covers the DOT minimum (e.g., no RSI, no research). We originally planned the 1-volume text to be a refresher book but started to lose sales to Mosby strictly for cost issues and thus released it as an abridged text. The 5-volume book sells better. The third edition of the 5-volume book is in production now and will be out in March. It has been significantly revised. For example, the cardiology chapter has been totally rewritten as have several others. These are the last books we will publish under the old curriculum and are starting on the new curriculum materials soon.

Hope this helps.

BEB

[medic511]

Both of the Bledsoe titles are about the same. One (the series) is marketed to academic-oriented courses while the other (single, 2000+ page monster) is marketed to vocational single course classes. Compared with the Mosby books, the Bledsoe books are AWFUL in my opinion. The fault lies not with Bledsoe, but with his editor(s). The individual Chapters were written by one or more subject matter specialists, few of whom worked on more than one chapter. Not a bad idea, but without effective editing the result is that what one Chapter says is "the best," the "most important," or the "first sign" of whatever, several other chapters may view differently. Often, one is not right and the other wrong per se, just different opinions or perspectives. The real evil, however, come about when a non-subject matter expert tried to write OBJECTIVE multiple choice questions based on individual chapters. These are published for instructors, who them choose them at random or without realizing that what is the correct answer in one chapter is the wrong answer to either the same, or essentially the same, question in another chapter. The result: lots of discussion and argument by perceptive and vocal students and massive confusion and frustration on the part of everyone.

Someone once described the Bledsoe paramedic book in an Amazon.com review as "2,000 pages in desperate search of an editor." Sad but true.

During one class, I complied literally hundred of errors and contradictions. Some, including the formula to determine minutes of air in an O2 cylinder that is missing the tank-size factor and a pediatric dosing error, could be life-threatening. The cardiology section was called "impossibly confused and confusing" by the CCU charge nurse who taught classes for us.

Mosby's books are more direct, explain things in simpler more concrete terms, and have a common point of view from start to finish. Hands down, Mosby is the way to go if you have a choice. If not, at least know that it's the Bledsoe books that are muddled, not necessarily you! Good luck.

[Dustdevil]

During one class, I complied literally hundred of errors and contradictions.

Do you still have that list?

Did you share it with Bledsoe?

Can you share it with us? Lots of instructors and students here would be very interested in this.

Thanks.

[ccmedoc]

During one class, I complied literally hundred of errors and contradictions.

CCU charge nurse, huh?? I would enjoy seeing this list......That must have been one long class.. :shock:

[medic511]

Thanks for asking. I think so - yes and yes.

I THINK I still have it, although I have moved since then. I'll look.

Yes, I emailed the publishers a couple of times (there was an address in the book and there was also an address on the on-line "extras" site for the book. Never got any repy at all.

I will commence the hunt.

[bbledsoe]

Please contact me directly at 972-775-2612 or cell 817-690-3679. We always appreciate suggestions. When you are dealing with books of this magnitude, errors and inconsistencies will slip in. There are just as many, if not more, errors in the Mosby and AAOS book. No book is perfect--each has their strengths and weaknesses. Believe it or not, we usually get only 5-6 complaints a year and have remained the best seller for nearly 2 decades. But, one never rests on their laurels.

Bryan Bledsoe, DO, FACEP, EMT-P

UNLV

[spenac]

Please contact me directly at 972-775-2612 or cell 817-690-3679. We always appreciate suggestions. When you are dealing with books of this magnitude, errors and inconsistencies will slip in. There are just as many, if not more, errors in the Mosby and AAOS book. No book is perfect--each has their strengths and weaknesses. Believe it or not, we usually get only 5-6 complaints a year and have remained the best seller for nearly 2 decades. But, one never rests on their laurels.

Bryan Bledsoe, DO, FACEP, EMT-P

UNLV

Hey doc glad to hear of your personal interest. What I have found is that I need all 3 paramedic books plus other specialty books. This allows me to compare and maybe get it worded slightly differently so it makes sense and sinks into my hard head.

[bbledsoe]

You are smart to do that. One book can never supply every bit of information needed for every student. In medical school, we were usually given 2-3 books to choose from and we chose the ones that were best for us. Other than a few (physiology, pathology, pharmacology), several books were always used.

We try to be the best, but are human. A day does not go by that I don't make a note or copy a page with plans to update or improve material in the next edition or printing. Our 5-volume, 3rd edition will publish in March. This has been the most extensive revision to date. I completely rewrote cardiology and spinal injuries. Virtually every chapter was updated.

BEB