ASCP model psychopharmacology curriculum for psychiatric residency programs, training directors, and teachers of psychopharmacology. By I. Glick, R. Balon, S. Zisook, J. Ellison, J. Oesterheld, D. Janowsky, B. Lydiard, D. Osser, K. Walton and J. Thompson, 2006. Pages: 1-609.11 (4th Edn, Vol. 1 and 2 with CD ROM). By The Committee of the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology

✍ Scribed by Christopher Pelic; Jeffrey Cluver

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2008
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 39 KB
• Volume: 23
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0885-6222
• DOI: 10.1002/hup.901

✦ Synopsis

This book is a well conceived idea given most texts extensively cover mild to moderate dementia. There is no doubt it achieved what it set out to do as mentioned in the introduction, which was to throw more light on the relatively undiscussed area of severe dementia.

The book has 19 chapters and is split into three broad parts: (a) Introductory part covering assessment, diagnosis, neurotransmitter and molecular pathology. (b) Clinical features and syndromes. (c) Management covering biopsychosocial aspects, other treatment approaches and economic aspects of care.

Individual chapters are well written; it can be read on its own without having to read the whole book. It is also laden with available research evidence. The chapters covering diagnosis and management also mention various assessment tools available, where it can be sourced and even when it is free of charge! The book highlights the need for more research and the development of services geared towards meeting the needs of patients with severe dementia.

This book should be on the library shelf of any old age psychiatrist at least for reference because of the amount of information readily available. Perhaps the editors should consider increasing the font size of the text in the next edition to make reading more enjoyable.