Preface

Welcome to the third edition of this Oxford Handbook. In obstetrics and gynaecology, as in all fields of medicine, the available evidence, technology and guidelines can move forward at a rapid pace and often prove difficult to keep up with. As the majority of junior doctors are well aware, the gaps in our knowledge often become apparent at the most inopportune moments; this book seeks to fill those gaps rapidly and effectively. It uses the well-known Oxford Handbook format to facilitate easy navigation around concise, clinically relevant, evidence-based information. It can be quickly dipped into for specific answers between seeing patients in clinic or on delivery suite, as well as providing a solid, general grounding for those just beginning in the specialty. It also has sufficient depth and detail to provide a good starting point in the preparation for postgraduate exams. To ensure the most up-to-date information is always available, emphasis has been placed on providing relevant web addresses, especially for guidelines and useful organizations. Text boxes have also been employed to help highlight some of the more important pieces of information.

Although this handbook is most likely to be used by trainees within the specialty, we envisage it will be useful for all those involved in women’s health, including GPs, midwives, and medical students. We hope you find it a helpful resource and that it proves to be a valuable companion and guide in your everyday practice of obstetrics and gynaecology.