Celebrating 40 years of Oxford Medical Handbooks and improving sustainability for the future
The Oxford Medical Handbooks are making a meaningful change: drastically reducing plastic in our book covers to be more environmentally friendly.
For over four decades, the series has set the standard for trusted, accessible medical handbooks. Read, relied upon, and respected by students, resident doctors, consultants, GPs, nurses, dentists, and allied healthcare professionals alike, this market-leading series continues to evolve towards a more sustainable future for medical books.
The series began with the publication of the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine in 1985. Starting life as handwritten notes to help the authors get through their junior doctor years, it is now the world’s best-selling medical handbook.
Since then, the Oxford Medical Handbook series (OMH) has grown with almost 70 books now available in print and digital formats, covering medical specialties from paediatrics to geriatric medicine, and more. Titles fall into two broad categories: those for medical students and newly qualified doctors, and those for specialist trainees.
Reputation for quality
“The Oxford Medical Handbooks‘ reputation is built on including only the best quality, clinically relevant information,” explains Elizabeth Reeve, Senior Acquisition Editor.
Elizabeth has worked on the series in various editorial roles for 20 years, first as a Development Editor, then Managing Editor, and later becoming the series Commissioning Editor.
“Professionals and students who fit the profile of the intended readers review each book, and the content is also checked by subject experts. In addition, we undertake extensive market research to make sure that the books feature the most applicable information about medical training and practice, and they are designed around what matters most to the reader. That means that every handbook in the series delivers exactly what users need. Where relevant, trainee doctor co-authors ensure the content is kept relevant to the core readership, reflecting the reality of day-to-day medical practice.”
Used in hospitals, clinics, general practice and dental surgeries, healthcare centres, and out in the community, and known throughout the world, the Oxford Medical Handbooks series continues to develop, expand, and provide a practical and trustworthy resource for medics, nurses, dentists, and allied healthcare professionals everywhere.
One reviewer had this to say about the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Medicine:
“I had this when it was the third edition. It helped me through medical school. Even now, with the new editions, I still have it on my shelf as a reference.”
What’s next for the series
As we reflect on four decades of the series, we want to make sure it is sustainable for the future, whilst continuing to provide the expert content in the easily accessible and handy format which clinicians have come to rely on and trust.
We will be replacing the handbooks’ PVC plastic covers with a flexible coverboard, which will have an anti-scuff matt lamination and rounded corners to continue to protect the inside pages. The paper continues to be lightweight yet durable, and we’re pleased that this is now fully from certified sustainable sources.
Zoë Cokeliss Barsley
Director of Sustainability
“Reducing emissions from our print publications is crucial as we work towards achieving Net Zero by 2050. Reducing plastic from the iconic Oxford Medical Handbook series is a small step on this journey, but nonetheless an important one. The change will help preserve the longevity of these essential books without the lasting impact that PVC has on the environment.”
In 2024, the total weight of printed units of the Oxford Medical Handbooks using the old PVC style was 842kg. By comparison, printing the same volume using the new PVC-free specification would result in just 30kg of lamination weight.
We serve the diverse and changing research and reference needs of our communities, and so as well as print, the Oxford Medical Handbooks are available online, and in eBook format too, which has a lower environmental impact. Many handbooks have their own app versions via Unbound Medicine, and all are available for purchase by libraries and institutions via Oxford Medicine Online.
You can explore further information on the OMH series and our other medical content here.
If you would like to get in touch, you can do so via our online Medicine Feedback form.
If you would like to be one of our reviewers, please contact us here to register interest and find out more.
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