Benedetto Saraceno, Pharmacological Treatment of Mental Disorders in Primary Healthcare, World Health Organisation Press, 2009, 68pp., ISBN 978 924 1547697.
✍ Scribed by Hector Fungai Musonza (RMN)
- Book ID
- 102254485
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 2010
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 27 KB
- Volume
- 25
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0749-6753
- DOI
- 10.1002/hpm.1072
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
This manual documents a detailed guide for health care professionals, for the diagnosis and treatment of major mental health disorders. Its format as a step by step simplified manual explores and gives recommendations on effectively conducting the initial assessment period through to the recommendations on the most effective treatment options based on reviewed evidence. The manual illustrates in great detail the significance of combining psychosocial interventions with therapeutic doses of pharmacological treatment. This is acknowledged in reference to evidence based practice and statements using data from randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews and meta-analysis from treatment guidelines developed over a 20 year period in different countries which is reviewed and updated 3 yearly. This further validates and credits the recommended treatment options.
The author's objectives are evident throughout the manual in great detail. This makes it suitable for use by anyone with an interest in primary heath care treatment for mental disorders. The layout of the chapters makes it suitable for use as a quick reference guide by professionals and can also be a useful tool for mental health students.
The manual highlights the target audience as developing countries, acknowledging that ' 80 % of outpatient consultations are done by medical assistance, clinical officers, nurses and village health officers operating from district hospitals, healthcare centres and dispensaries'. It must be a prerequisite to highlight that limited resources may be a hindrance in determining the effectiveness of the recommended treatment guidelines/options especially where pharmacological treatment is conducted.
Efforts to address prevailing issues in developing countries such as cultural barriers, social acceptance of mental health patients through addressing stigmatization associated with mental health will increase the efficacy of successful treatment by not putting too much focus on pharmacological treatments which may not be readily available.