Overview
This new book in the Practical Guides in Psychiatry series focuses on the assessment and clinical management of the various forms of dementia and associated psychiatric conditions. In an engaging writing style with many clinical vignettes, Dr. Agronin describes the patient and caregiver interview, the diagnostic tests used in the workup, the types of dementia, the psychiatric conditions associated with dementia, and the pharmacological and behavioral treatments available. He also offers advice on social, ethical, and legal concerns and on support of caregivers. Psychiatry residents especially will find Dementia invaluable in their training.
"Key points" and quick-reference tables complement the text. Appendices include prescribing information on psychotropic drugs and patient/caregiver education handouts.
Editorials
Reviewer: Michael Joel Schrift, D.O., M.A.(University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine)
Description: This is an excellent new book covering the everyday management of patients who suffer from dementing illnesses. Written and edited by a clinician in the field, this book is a valuable contribution to psychiatry, neurology, and geriatric medicine.
Purpose: The purpose of the book, according to the author, is to provide "...sufficient information teaching them nearly every facet of dementia - its forms, pathways, pitfalls, and treatments. The book is designed to be a practical guide that can be brought into the clinic when one is evaluating and treating patients." The author has succeeded in developing a useful pocket tool to help in the diagnosis and management of patients with dementia.
Audience: The intended audience is psychiatrists, neurologists and geriatricians. The book would also be useful for residents in psychiatry and neurology, and fellows in behavioral neurology, neuropsychiatry, and geriatric psychiatry.
Features: The book is divided into four sections containing 16 chapters, including an index and appendixes. Topics covered include clinical assessment, subtypes of dementia, psychiatric complications of dementia, and psychosocial issues. The appendixes contain very useful "pocket cards" on the dementia workup, agitation, psychosis, and delirium in dementia, depression in dementia, and caregiver assessment. Although having a reference section would have made this a more scholarly book, the author's purpose was for a more practical guide. The index is quite helpful.
Assessment: This is a valuable and clinically useful new book on the practical aspects of managing patients with dementia. Any clinician who works in a geriatric setting should read and refer to this book.
3 Stars from Doody