Psychiatric Medicine: The Psychiatrist's Guide to the Treatment of Common Medical Illnesses

This is an excellent quick reference for psychiatrists. Those psychiatrists (and psychiatric residents) who also function as ward physicians for the patients will find the brief summary of selected clinical conditions useful. The handbook would also benefit a medical student or a student nurse rotating on an inpatient psychiatric service. The handbook does not replace a medical text, but does cover various symptoms presented by patients during morning rounds as well as clinical conditions which are of particular significance to a physician on a psychiatric unit (e.g. evaluation and management of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia). The essential points in evaluation, differential diagnosis and treatment are presented in a format which is easy to retrieve and covers the key issues which will guide a physician in providing necessary care on an inpatient psychiatric unit. Two smaller parts of the handbook deal with (a) laboratory medicine and (b) clinical issues presenting as an emergency on a psychiatric ward (e.g. neuroleptic malignant syndrome and lithium-induced neurotoxicity). In summary, the authors who have drawn on their own experience in inpatient psychiatry; have distilled key clinical points useful for a psychiatric physician on an inpatient psychiatric service. The book's primary advantage is its compact, easy to carry size which could be readily available to the physician during morning rounds, or when on call. Reviewed by: Bhasker J. Dave, M.D., D.L.F.A.P.A. Public Sector Psychiatrist, Independence, Iowa