The 65th Edition of CURRENT Medical Diagnosis & Treatment: What’s Inside & How to Access It
For over six decades, CURRENT Medical Diagnosis & Treatment (CMDT) has been the essential annual text for clinicians and students. The newly released 2026 (65th) edition, published by McGraw Hill, arrives with a "Year in Review" section highlighting significant clinical changes. Spanning nearly 1,900 pages, it provides evidence-based coverage of over 1,000 diseases, updated drug tables, and new algorithms, maintaining its status as the most practical and accessible reference for adult internal medicine and outpatient care
Part One: Core Principles of Clinical Care
Chapter 1: Disease Prevention & Health Promotion
This opening chapter establishes the foundation for modern primary care. It covers screening guidelines for common cancers (breast, colorectal, cervical, prostate, lung), cardiovascular risk assessment, immunizations across the lifespan, and evidence-based behavioral counseling for smoking cessation, diet, and physical activity. New for 2026 are updated USPSTF recommendations on lung cancer screening with low-dose CT and expanded guidance on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention.
Chapter 2: Common Symptoms
A practical, symptom-based approach to undifferentiated complaints. Each symptom—such as fatigue, weight loss, fever of unknown origin, dyspnea, chest pain, abdominal pain, headache, and dizziness—is presented with a differential diagnosis table, a "red flag" checklist, and a diagnostic algorithm. This chapter is designed for rapid bedside use.
Chapter 3: Preoperative Evaluation & Perioperative Management
Updated for 2026 with new guidelines on perioperative bridging of anticoagulation, risk stratification using the RCRI (Revised Cardiac Risk Index), and management of diabetes, hypertension, and pulmonary disease in the surgical patient. Special attention is given to older adults and frailty assessment.
Chapter 4: Geriatric Disorders
Focuses on the unique challenges of caring for older adults: falls and gait disorders, delirium versus dementia (including updated criteria for Alzheimer disease and Lewy body dementia), polypharmacy and deprescribing, urinary incontinence, pressure injuries, and elder abuse assessment. New content on age-friendly health systems and the "4Ms" framework (What Matters, Medication, Mentation, Mobility) is included.
Chapter 5: Palliative Care & Pain Management
Expanded for 2026, this chapter covers symptom management in serious illness: pain (opioid and non-opioid strategies), dyspnea, nausea, constipation, and delirium at end of life. Communication skills for goals-of-care discussions, advance care planning, and cultural considerations in palliative care are emphasized. New guidance on ketamine for refractory pain and medical aid in dying (where legal) is provided.
Part Two: Disorders by Organ System
Chapter 6: Dermatologic Disorders
Over 100 full-color images illustrate common and serious skin conditions: acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, skin cancers (basal cell, squamous cell, melanoma), drug eruptions, fungal infections, and viral exanthems. The "Essentials of Diagnosis" for each condition include lesion morphology, distribution, and associated symptoms. Treatment sections include topical therapies, systemic agents, and procedural options like cryotherapy and excisional biopsy.
Chapter 7: Disorders of the Eyes & Lids
Covers red eye emergencies (conjunctivitis, keratitis, acute angle-closure glaucoma, uveitis), orbital infections (preseptal and orbital cellulitis), dry eye syndrome, blepharitis, and retinal disorders (diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, retinal detachment). A rapid recognition guide for vision-threatening conditions is included.
Chapter 8: Otolaryngology Disorders
Addresses hearing loss (conductive vs. sensorineural), tinnitus, vertigo (including BPPV and Meniere disease), otitis media and externa, sinusitis, pharyngitis, hoarseness, and obstructive sleep apnea. New in 2026: updated antibiotic guidelines for acute bacterial rhinosinusitis and expanded coverage of eustachian tube dysfunction.
Chapter 9: Pulmonary Disorders
Comprehensive coverage of asthma (stepwise therapy updated to GINA 2025 guidelines), COPD (including long-term oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation), pneumonia (community-acquired, hospital-acquired, and aspiration), interstitial lung disease, pulmonary embolism (with new PE risk scores), and lung cancer screening and staging. Diagnostic algorithms using PFTs and chest imaging are provided.
Chapter 10: Coronary Artery Disease, Valvular Disease, & Other Key Topics in Cardiology
Covers chronic stable angina, acute coronary syndromes (NSTEMI and STEMI), revascularization options (PCI vs. CABG), and secondary prevention. Valvular heart disease includes aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, and updated guidelines for TAVR and surgical valve replacement. Other topics: myocarditis, pericarditis, and adult congenital heart disease.
Dr. Emmanuel Hirwa BAKUNDA is a Medical doctor and technology innovator dedicated to transforming medical education through digital solutions. With a clinical background in General pediatrics and child health, Dr. Bakunda combines frontline patient experience with a passion for health informatics and e-learning platforms.
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