Abstract
Old age psychiatry, as a relatively new subspecialty within our College, is recognized internationally as having a very vigorous group of practitioners, researchers and academics.
Since its foundation, many significant books have been published by senior members of the Faculty, filling many gaps in the knowledge and evidence in this discipline.
This book on consultation–liaison psychiatry by the current Chair of the Faculty, Pamela Melding and the Chair, Faculty Committee for Advanced Training, Brian Draper, continues this tradition and presents to the field a most significant text to enhance the reputation and practice of old age psychiatry.
It is a comprehensive text covering the theoretical as well as the ‘bedside’ issues; highlighting many practical (political and professional relationships) experiences in the field.
As old age psychiatry works in a multidisciplinary framework, this book takes great pains to ensure that this fundamental principle is constantly underpinned.
The day-to-day clinical challenges encountered by both psychogeriatricians and geriatricians are very much in evidence. Problem-solving in the face of these challenges gives the readers a clear sense that the chapter authors are indeed superb clinicians who know about their patients, and they write from a very strong clinical background.
Such a combination of clinical relevance and evidencebased approach is the real strength of this book, which should be on the reading list of all clinicians working with the elderly; be they psychiatrists, geriatricians, nurses or allied health professionals. Policy makers in aged care as well as administrators would also benefit from being enlightened by this work as it provides a clear exposition of how consultation–liaison psychiatry for the elderly can provide improved quality-of-life and reduce length of stay with subsequent economic benefits.
To add further value to the book the chapters on ethical and legal issues, a section on abbreviation and a glossary, provide for readers who may be new to the field an excellent introduction and instructions in old age psychiatry.
This is a book for all health professionals who take care of the elderly.