There have been a flurry of "psychiatry for the nonpsychiatrist" books during the past few years. What could this one possibly offer over its predecessors? A lot! The patient evaluation grid is a unique aspect of this book that emphasizes a biopsychosocial approach to the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients. Summaries at the beginning of each chapter state educational objectives, which help to inform the reader about what is to follow. This book also deals with issues not always presented to the primary care physician, such as the evaluation of the family, violence, problems of living, suicide, and the referral process.
This is a nicely bound, easy to read, lightweight book with relatively concise and well-organized chapters. Clarification of the definition of "primary physician" or "primary care physician" could have been helpful in the foreword. Part I of this book focuses on the comprehensive evaluation of patients. The chapter