Description
Psychiatric Algorithms for Primary Care
Book Summary
This practical handbook offers a quick reference guide for psychiatric assessment in the primary care setting. Through evidence-based algorithms, the book allows healthcare professionals to evaluate mental health issues, make informed therapeutic decisions, and determine the appropriate time to refer to specialized services. Written by experts with extensive experience in general medicine and psychiatry, this resource facilitates the management of frequent disorders and complex situations in daily practice.
What is it about?
The book provides structured clinical algorithms that guide the professional in the diagnosis and treatment of common psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar affective disorder, psychosis, depression, dementia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Each algorithm includes initial assessment, diagnostic criteria, recommended supplementary tests, and therapeutic options. Additionally, it addresses frequent reasons for consultation such as insomnia and fatigue, which may indicate underlying psychological disorders. It includes special considerations for populations such as children, people with intellectual disabilities, autism, the elderly, and pregnant women. It also contains appendices on commonly prescribed drugs and physical examination in patients with severe mental disorder, along with self-assessment questions and online references.
Main Topics
- Differential diagnosis and management of psychiatric disorders in primary care
- Clinical algorithms based on NICE, RCGP, and RCPsych guidelines
- Evaluation of common symptoms such as insomnia and fatigue
- Mental health in special populations: childhood, intellectual disability, autism, geriatrics, and pregnancy
- Updated pharmacological options and counseling strategies
- Referral criteria to specialized mental health services
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at primary care physicians, family and community medicine residents, nurses, clinical psychologists, and any healthcare professional who needs an agile, evidence-based tool to address mental health problems in daily practice. It is also useful for medical and psychiatry students looking for a practical resource for initial psychiatric assessment.
What this book offers
- Visual algorithms that streamline clinical decision-making in consultation
- Updated guidelines from leading international organizations
- Tools to identify when referral to specialized psychiatry is necessary
- Practical information on drugs and physical examination in mental health
- Self-assessment resources to reinforce knowledge
Technical Data
- Author: Gulati, Gautam
- Publisher: Elsevier
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: General Medicine, Psychiatry
- Collection: Psychology
- Binding: Paperback
- Weight: 232 g
Editorial Review
This is a practical and well-structured resource that meets a real need in primary care: the integration of mental health into general practice. Its algorithmic approach facilitates the rapid application of evidence-based guidelines, which is especially valuable in consultations with high patient demand. The inclusion of special populations and complex cases extends its utility beyond the most common disorders. It is a recommended tool for professionals seeking security and efficiency in initial psychiatric assessment.