As the editor states in the preface to Ambulatory Pediatric Care, most children seen in office practice are "fundamentally well." Consequently, this text emphasizes issues of office practice and general health maintenance.
The first six sections contain pearls for both practitioners and residents in pediatric and family practice. Topics covered include the content of well-child visits, nutrition, accident prevention, school health, and developmental and behavioral pediatrics. The behavioral section is a particularly well-written overview of important issues that may have a profound impact on the psychosocial health of the family: divorce, single parenting, career and motherhood, death of a family member, sleep disturbances, and chronic illness. The chapters titled "The Constant Complainer" and "Dealing With Difficult Parents" should be read by all residents.
The developmental pediatric section, however, could be strengthened by more practical information. It would help to have a description of the available language and developmental screening tests