In 2006, the Handbook of Medicine in Psychiatry became a first-of-its-kind printed medical resource for psychiatrists in training or practice. Nearly two decades and three editions later, it remains an invaluable tool for health care professionals working at the intersection of medical and psychiatric conditions.
As informative and rigorous as its predecessors, this fourth edition is uniquely accessible and practical, providing a user-friendly knowledge base for dealing with the medical pathology of psychiatric patients, who often experience a higher burden of physical illnesses that can hinder their psychiatric treatment. Thoroughly updated to reflect the latest literature and consensus approaches, this guide describes the most common medical conditions confronting clinicians in both inpatient and outpatient psychiatric settings.
For abnormal vital signs, such as fever and hypertension; somatic symptoms, including headache and seizures; laboratory abnormalities in thyroid and liver function, among others; and major adverse effects of psychotropic drugs, this volume addresses five key questions:
. Is the patient at risk of dying or severe disability within the next 24 hours?. Does the patient require immediate intervention for a potentially life-threatening condition?. Should the patient be transferred to an emergency medicine setting?. Does the patient need urgent laboratory or radiological investigations or surgical consultations?. Are changes to the current psychiatric treatment required?
Among the new features in this edition are chapters that address obesity and related metabolic abnormalities and sepsis, as well as sections highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and a team-based approach that includes psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, and other health care professionals to improve patient outcomes. Each expert-authored chapter includes clinical vignettes, key points, and suggested readings.
Relevant for physicians, nurse practitioners and medical students, the Handbook of Medicine in Psychiatry will help readers understand the intricate relationship between medical and psychiatric disease and provide them with the tools and knowledge necessary to provide holistic and effective care.
