There are many types of documents that can be classified as medical handbooks. First, doctors often use published documents called handbooks which provide information on the symptoms, diagnosis, progress, and treatment of certain diseases. There are also handbooks on the use and working of drugs. Some of these are produced independently by scholars, while others are the product of drug companies that provide them to physicians who may want to prescribe the drugs in their practices. Additionally, some medical handbooks deal with the health care industry or insurance and the best way to navigate through the complex bureaucratic system governing the modern health care industry. Insurance companies often provide handbooks on how to file claims or join their network of physicians.

Another type of medical handbook is an employee or office manual designed for a medical environment. These handbooks follow a similar pattern as other employee manuals, outlining the rules and restrictions governing employee behavior and explaining policies and procedures. Additionally, these handbooks include medical-industry-specific information, including documentation related to patient confidentiality and proper use and storage of medical records, as well as health and safety information related to contact with patients and the proper handling of medical waste, including both biological and radiological materials. There are also likely to be information related to the legal obligations of health care workers and relations with insurance companies.