Primary Care Psychology » (1st Edition)

This text examines the role of psychological and behavioral interventions in primary care medicine. Several introductory chapters define primary care psychology and examine unique aspects of clinical care for psychologists working in primary care. Other contributions from researchers, scholars, and practitioners address such topics as the concept of collaborative family health care, collaboration between psychologists and pediatricians in primary care settings, and reimbursement issues likely to affect primary care in the future. Frank is dean of the College of Health Professions at the U. of Florida. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Nicholas Greco IV, MS, BCETS, CATSM(Abbott Laboratories)
Description:This book delves into the increasing role that psychologists are playing in the primary healthcare field. The book discusses the practice of primary care psychology, specific populations where psychology is needed, and the various health systems.
Purpose:The purpose is to introduce psychologists to this rapidly expanding area of psychology and the various opportunities it holds. The book takes the reader through various settings such as pediatrics, internal medicine, and family medicine. Given the current state of medicine, this is a worthy objective and the book is quite timely.
Audience:Essentially, clinical and academic psychologists will find this book most useful, yet primary care physicians will benefit as well from the ideas and discussion in this exceptionally written book. The authors are credible members of the mental health field.
Features:The book is quite substantial and covers the expected introductory sections of what primary care psychology is and how to integrate healthcare, and explores the physician-patient relationship. I particularly liked the recommendations for education and training in primary care psychology. The discussions of pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, chronic care, and geriatric medicine are worth reading. The book is a bit wordy at times, but the level of detail and the explanations more than compensate.
Assessment:In a time of changing healthcare options and dissatisfaction with shortened office visits to one's physician, this book addresses a much needed exploration of the roles that psychologists can play within traditional medical practice. Recommended reading!