Sigmundoscopy

Book review from Thomas Wise, M.D.

Do not let the title “Sigmundoscopy” fool you. This is a serious and scholarly book that provides a wealth of practical information for the beginning or seasoned consultation-liaison psychiatrist. The volume contains clearly written material on the basic aspects of conducting a consultation and communicating its findings to non-psychiatric physicians. It then goes on to discuss the rational aspects of implementing the treatment plan and concludes with an overview of the legal and ethical aspects of psychiatric consultations. Throughout the book there is extensive use of essential references and reading material. Mnemonics aid the clinician in organizing a series of data and types of disorders that must be considered in evaluating many patients with medical illnesses. In addition to such clinical utility, the introductory chapter on the history and organization of consultation-liaison psychiatry is worth the book itself as it provides a comprehensive review of our field. The clever cartoons and excellent clinical examples complement this book which is indeed a serious contribution to the consultation-liaison literature. I strongly recommend it for all medical students and residents, as well as practicing clinicians who do consultations in general medical settings.

Thomas N. Wise, M.D.,
Professor and Vice Chairman
Department of Psychiatry
Georgetown University Medical Center

An excerpt of this book is available online in PDF format. If you have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed you may download this excerpt to review by following this link (Sigmundoscopy.pdf - 141 kb)