Psychiatric Dimensions of Medical Practice

Serious physical illness may often lead to psychiatric disorders. This work offers a concise guide to help primary-care physicians evaluate and treat patients who are delirious, demoralized, thinking of suicide, or refusing to follow medical advice. Although such patients exhibit emotional distress, cognitive disturbance or maladaptive behaviour, Slavney explains, the cause of the problem is often their medical illness and treatment. For that reason, many such patients can receive excellent care from their own physicians. After an introductory chapter which explains clinical assessment, Slavney treats each of the four common conditions as it occurs in the clinical setting, with illustrative cases and specific advice about evaluation and treatment.