AMMAN, Jordan, March 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Elsevier, the leading global publisher of scientific, technical, and medical information products and services, announced today it has begun offering Arabic bilingual editions of leading Elsevier medical texts to major universities in the Middle East. The first order was recently received by Kalamoon University in Syria.

The initiative is one of Elsevier's many meant to help improve the quality of medical education and clinical care around the globe. The company has found that studying in a native language deepens understanding for students across all medical disciplines since while many students are fluent in another language, they feel more comfortable in their own. Local language texts reduce the amount of required translation between complex English and native language medical terminologies and the information frequently speaks to national practice guidelines and formularies ensuring that medical treatments recognised within the student's country are adhered to.

The first titles to be translated are mostly dental, but translations are planned for each medical category, particularly nursing. Initial titles include:

- Lissauer's Illustrated Textbook of Paediatrics (medical) - Chapleau's Emergency First Responder (nursing and emergency medicine) - Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology.

"Elsevier medical texts are already the preferred resource for leading medical colleges across the region, and this exciting development will add a completely new dimension to the process of learning for medical students, whether they study in English or in Arabic," said Professor Nabil Kochaji, Head of Oral Histology and Pathology at Damascus University. "I am confident that the positive response from Syrian Dentistry Colleges will be duplicated at many universities across the region."

Information on published and upcoming bilingual titles can be obtained from the Elsevier Amman office by emailing Patricia Skinner at p.skinner@elsevier.com .