Abstract
I took much longer than I needed to read this book in order to write this review. While it was easy to get the gist of it because it was a study guide, testing myself was so addictive I couldn't stop.
Developed to allow students and practitioners dealing with the mental health of older persons to assess their knowledge in this area, this book comprises multiple-choice questions on a range of topics from psychiatric disorders in the elderly to the ageing process and treatment, corresponding to 41 chapters from the Comprehensive Textbook of Geriatric Psychiatry. Questions test both theory as well as responses to richly detailed clinical vignettes. The first third of the book outlines the questions, while the second third reproduces each question along with the answers. There are two unique aspects to the format that make it a more useful and engaging text than most multiple-choice-based assessment manuals. Firstly, in addition to offering the correct answer, each option is addressed and an explanation offered as to why the correct answer is appropriate and the incorrect answers are not. Secondly, every question is followed by specific references to support the correct answer. Thus, each question provides a dense package of information and an efficient way of learning. Topics are diverse and mostly internationally applicable, although there are some questions that are US-specific such as some of the discussion of cultural or racial issues and the references to Medicaid/Medicare reimbursements, and US laws in the chapter on medico-legal and financial issues.
In addition to the obvious appeal to those training or taking examinations in the field of geriatric psychiatry, it is also appropriate for those teaching in this area. From my experience of reading it from an old-age psychiatrist's perspective, it was a quick way to update myself and learn some new things. I feel I learned more interesting facts over a range of areas in old-age psychiatry by reading this book for 10 minutes than trying to wade through a conventional reference book.
Carmelle Peisah
Sydney, Australia
© 2007 Carmelle Peisah