This book illuminates issues in medical ethics revolving around the complex bond between healer and patient, focusing on friendship and other important values in the healing relationship. Embracing medicine, philosophy, theology, and bioethics, it considers whether bioethical issues in medicine, nursing, and dentistry can be examined from the perspective of the healing relationship rather than external moral principles.

Distinguished contributors explore the role of the health professional, the moral basis of health care, greater emphasis on the humanities in medical education, and some of the current challenges facing healers today.

Approximately one-quarter of the U.S. population is enrolled in HMOs or similar managed care health plans, and the proportion is increasing. But even though such plans dominate today's agenda for health care reform, good, quantitative information on the performance of managed care programs is scarce. In "Promise and Performance in Managed Care," Donald Freeborn and Clyde Pope draw on the research literature and unique data sources to provide that information.

Focusing on the human experience of managed care, the authors examine the effects of managed care on members as well as physicians--assessing whether members are satisfied with the care they receive, and how physicians evaluate their experience with managed care. After offering a brief history of managed care in the United States, the book addresses such questions as what determines the choice of a health plan, access to care, patient satisfaction, physician satisfaction, and the implications of these findings for the future of managed care.

With the issue of health care reform in the forefront of national debate, the topics raised in "Promise and Performance in Managed Care" are particularly timely. Serving as both a standard against which to examine the effectiveness of proposed reforms and as a methodological "how to" for the evaluation of system changes, the book will be of interest to professionals and students of health policy as well as to HMO administrators and practitioners.

How do economic stresses on the family, such as dual-earner parents, unemployment, and poverty, affect the human service professional's assessment of the families he or she serves? The field of family sociology is now providing a wealth of empirical, relevant knowledge on the impact of macroeconomic issues on the families most frequently helped by social workers. New Approaches to Family Practice takes current research driven by the family systems theoretical framework and applies it to human services direct practice with families in three specific areas: employed-work and family-work, unemployment, and poverty. To illustrate the linkages from research to practice, the book presents chapters on the theory and research in each of the three target areas, each followed by a chapter on application and tools for direct practice in that area. Individual chapters include case studies, assessment tools, multilevel interventions and evaluations, and strategies for social change. In addition to being a rich resource for the human services professional who works with families, this book is ideal for courses in social work with the family, social work and human services, family studies, and clinical/counseling psychology.

The only practical resource to focus solely on health issues specific to men. Written by and for NPs and PAs in the primary care setting, this is the first clinical reference to focus solely on managing health concerns that are specific to men. Filling a significant gap in knowledge about this patient group, the user-friendly reference delivers evidence-based guidelines for the day-to-day management of male patients. Designed for ease of use and quick access to information, the resource is divided into three sections, urology, cardiology, and general men's health topics. In addition to addressing the full gamut of urological and cardiac issues, the book discusses the basics of male physical assessment including sports assessment, male adolescent risk issues, musculoskeletal manifestations of stress in men, and health screening issues. Also covered are the aging male and physical activity, the health needs of male veterans, complementary and alternative health methods, chronic pain, high-risk MSM sexual health issues, and starting a men's health clinic. Key Features: The only practical men's health resource written specifically for NPs and PAs by NPs and PAs Organized to facilitate quick access to information Delivers evidence-based guidelines for men's health care Written and edited by noted APRN and PA men's health practitioners and faculty Addresses health issues in urology, cardiology treatment for men, and other health issues specific to men

This new edition of the MRCGP Study Guide has been purposely revised and updated to comprehensively cover every aspect of the membership examination of the Royal College of General Practitioners. It takes you through all the main medical topics fundamental to general practice, all relevant non- clinical areas, and then finally tests you with an AKT and CSA style examination. All the information you need in one place. This guide can be used as a source of reference, and for revising, to ensure you are perfectly prepared. It saves you the colossal amount of time you would otherwise need to cover the same ground.

Churchill's Guide to UK Medicolegal Essentials provides a no-nonsense guide to managing those everyday clinical scenarios that have potential or obvious legal implications. With a clear, practical and easy-to-read style, it takes you through everything that you need to know including the UK legal systems, complaints handling, clinical governance and risk management, disciplinary procedures, and how the law relates to alcohol, drugs, mental health and end of life. This is an ideal book for medical, nursing, dental and paramedic students preparing for exams or interviews, all grades of healthcare professionals, police staff, and anyone needing a brief overview of the legal intricacies of medical practice. Defines the law of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland Provides tips on preparing a police statement, appearing in court and obtaining forensic samples Scenarios and questions to bring the law to life Filled with practical advice to help you understand and minimise risks to your practice Covers risk management, which is central to Government health policies An enhanced eBook version is included with purchase. The eBook allows you to access all the text, figures and references, with the ability to search, customize your content, make notes and highlights, and have content read aloud Comprehensive update of all areas of medical law New chapter on the Sexual Offences Act 2003 New questions and scenarios to test your knowledge and understanding

What 'kind' of community is demanded by a problem like dementia? As aspects of care continue to transition from institutional to community and home settings, this book considers the implications for people living with dementia and their carers. Drawing on extensive fieldwork and case studies from Canada, this book analyses the intersections of formal dementia strategies and the experiences of families and others on the frontlines of care. Considering the strains placed on care systems by the COVID-19 pandemic, this book looks afresh at what makes home-based care possible or impossible and how these considerations can help establish a deeper understanding necessary for good policy and practice.

'How many general practitioners ended up in their roles thanks to a faint breeze nudging them in a given direction? How many successes resulted from failure? Some of the most successful practices were built up from nothing, and some of the happiest doctors spent time not being doctors. Despite the element that fate plays in career paths it is prudent to make plans - ' A career in general practice offers many options for further professional development. While some GPs prefer to concentrate primarily on their practice, others find additional fulfillment in teaching, research or international collaboration. Whichever path you choose, general practice promises a rewarding and exciting experience. This inspiring new book emphasises there is no single career path in general practice. Without being prescriptive, its practical approach helps you make life-changing decisions, prompts self-analysis and equips you with the tools to remain flexible, positive and reflective about your career. 'So - have you got what it takes to practise the 'medicine plus' which is today's general practice? This book, written and edited by colleagues many of whom have far more street cred than I, will help you decide. If you have, I wish you luck, fulfilment, and the gratification that comes from being a catalyst for good in the lives of your fellow human beings. If you have a role teaching and mentoring the next generation of GPs, you will find this book a persuasive ally. But if you decide that hospital medicine is your preferred option - well, that's fine. There would be no shame, if you find the ladder to general practice too steep, in settling for becoming a brain surgeon.' Roger Neighbour, in the Foreword 'Lively, extremely informative and engaging' Professor Roger Jones, Editor, British Journal of General Practice

Tax planning can lead to considerable efficiencies, but few GPs have been trained as businessmen. This book in "The Business Side of General Practice" series, provides a guide to the regulations, identifies the pitfalls and opportunities and shows how to maximize the income retained by the practice. John Dean is known for his writing on financial management in general practice and has also written "Making Sense of Practice Finance" (Radcliff).

Explains the NHS as a political environment, and concentrates on understanding the relationships of power rather than on the role of apparent authority. The book presents a range of management frameworks and personal examples to illustrate what a primary-care-led NHS means.

The concept of managed care evolved in the USA as a way of containing costs and promoting quality in health care. Some vital lessons can be learned from this experience, and many of its benefits can be applied to the UK as the NHS internal market develops. However, there are also pitfalls which it is equally important to avoid. This is the first book to provide an in-depth analysis of the contracting techniques seen in managed care. The author is in the rare position of being an NHS manager with practical experience of the US health care system, and has produced a first hand contemporary guide to managed care, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses and its relevance to the UK. To set the current debate about the future of the internal market and GP fundholding in context, the author offers a critical review of the NHS reforms and current management and clinician competencies. Citing American experience of the role of doctors in management, he demonstrates both the power and limitations of such initiatives.

Rewritten with the new primary care environment in mind, this greatly expanded and updated edition of Child Mental Health in Primary Care extends the structured approach of the first edition to adoelscent mental health. As in the first edition, Primary Child and Adolescent Mental Health covers each problem in a uniform way, offering definitions, assessment outlines, detailed management options and indications for referral. Numerous case examples further illuminate aspects of many conditions. Comprehensive and practical, the forty-eight chapters of Primary Child and Adolescent Mental Health cover the full range of difficulties and disabilities affecting the mental health of children and young people. The book is divided into three volumes, and can either be read from cover to cover or used as a resource to be consulted for guidance on specific problems. This book is vital for all healthcare professionals including general practitioners, health visitors and other staff working in primary care to assess, manage and refer children and adolescents with mental health problems. School medical officers, social workers and educational psychologists, many of whom are in the front line of mental health provision for children and young people, will also find it extremely useful. Reviews of the first edition: 'This very comprehensive and detailed book provides the tools for primary care health professionals not only to assess a child's needs but in many cases also to implement an initial package of care.' JUST FOR NURSES 'I have no reservation in recommending the book to all people working with children and families in any capacity. An important training text for a variety of professions. A very effective text to be used in daily practice for quick reference.' CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH 'This book is well produced and clearly written. A useful book for anyone interested or involved with children.' FAMILY PRACTICE 'I looked through the book again and again but could not find anything missing.' NURSING TIMES

'Medical technology is beneficial for well researched dangerous diseases. However, most symptoms that people bring to their primary care physician have no single clearly identifiable cause: investigations and drugs do more harm than good - and also waste resources - ' - Wilfrid Treasure Diagnosis and Risk Management in Primary Care teaches that adopting an evidence-based approach to primary care improves patient care and treatment outcomes. It demonstrates that brief clinical assessments, repeated if necessary, allow effective diagnosis while avoiding the costs and complications associated with more advanced testing. Adopting a fresh approach, this book sets consultation skills alongside evidence-based information by both itemising the specific techniques and facts that are needed in the consulting room, and providing detailed information on odds and likelihood ratios to quantify risk and deal with uncertainty. This book provides food for thought, and helps doctors develop communication skills that support their personal styles of consulting, encouraging a more traditional, intuitive treatment. It provides a map of the consultation and a compass to navigate through symptoms, signs and evidence - listening to their patients with one ear and, with the other, to the reflective inner voice of reason. General Practitioner Specialist Trainees and their teachers will find much of interest, as will established General Practitioners with an interest in maintaining traditional models of care. Undergraduate medical students and candidates for the MRCGP will find this an ideal reader for the clinical skills assessment. 'What a breath of fresh air to find an author capable of putting the patient back at the centre of the consultation and who is able to entertain at the same time as he informs and to stimulate critical reflection while nudging us in the direction of a rigorous approach to diagnosis, and the assessment and communication of risk.' From the foreword by Roger Jones

The Practice Manager Library presents information and advice on the extended role of the practice manager both for those with experience and increasing responsibility, and for others who are new to general practice. Its clear and unambiguous guidance is based on extensive practical experience. Health service initiatives, including the introduction of Primary Care Groups and the NHSnet, will lead to major changes in the layout, structure and computerization of practices. This essential book: * covers surgery security, insurance, and health and safety issues * identifies ways to finance expansion of premises * discusses pharmacies within surgeries, practices within superstores and one-stop health shops * advises on how best to purchase and upgrade hardware, peripherals and software * explores additional uses for practice PCs, including computerized accounts and payroll * explains the implications of joining the NHSnet, the Internet, and the millennium time-bomb The question-and-answer format allows the book to be read cover-to-cover or used as a handy reference. Practice managers, whatever their background, will find it an invaluable guide to enhancing their career, and for those considering becoming a practice manager it is a vital source of information. Other books in The Practice Manager Library Series include: Finance and Administration: your questions answered

This book presents the latest knowledge on both the physiological and the microbiological aspects of wound healing. Fresh insights into the process of cutaneous wound healing are described, which involves tissue regeneration and repair processes consisting of a sequence of molecular and cellular events. The management of infected wounds is then discussed in detail, covering the roles of traditional medicine practices, novel anti-infective formulations, non-antibiotic approaches, and probiotic bacteria. A section devoted to the interdisciplinary approach to wound care addresses topics including in vitro and in vivo research models, the development of advanced wound dressings, tissue engineering, and the potential applications of bioscaffolds. The authors are all leading researchers in the field. This book is an attempt to showcase current research status and future directions in the area of wound-healing research, which must be of interest to a large group of readers and researchers interested in this field.

Described in the New York Times as "an astonishingly clear 'user's manual' that explains our health care system and the policies that will change it," The Health Care Handbook, by Drs. Elisabeth Askin and Nathan Moore, offers a practical, neutral, and readable overview of the U.S. health care system in a compact, convenient format. The fully revised third edition provides concise coverage on health care delivery, insurance and economics, policy, and reform-all critical components of the system in which health care professionals work. Written in a conversational and accessible tone, this popular, highly regarded handbook serves as a "one stop shop" for essential facts, systems, concepts, and analysis of the U.S. health care system, providing the tools you need to confidently evaluate current health care policy and controversies. Provides essential introductory coverage while also offering depth and focus gained through the authors' experience over three editions of this best-selling handbook Features new, realistic narratives throughout that provide a more human focus on the effects of today's policies and issues Contains a new chapter that synthesizes multifaceted issues such as breast cancer screening guidelines, readmissions and value, and the rising cost of insulin Includes more data visualization such as maps and infographics for quick comprehension of complex information Offers multiple viewpoints and suggested readings so readers can develop their own opinions on key topics Used as a curricular resource in more than 150 training programs nationwide, including schools of medicine, nursing, physician assistant, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, business, sociology, pre-medical, health administration, health law, and health policy; also used for employee training in a variety of organizations within the pharmaceutical, medical device, health care system, health insurance, and health IT fields Features supplemental digital content for instructors, ideal for classroom use Enrich Your eBook Reading Experience Read directly on your preferred device(s), such as computer, tablet, or smartphone. Easily convert to audiobook, powering your content with natural language text-to-speech.

The daily work of General Practitioners can seem at once simple and immensely complicated. The routine nature of the consultation appears on the surface to be straightforward, but carries within it myriad layers of meaning. The options for diagnosis and treatment within a single consultation, or when combined in the overall pattern of the day, can seem huge. A basic understanding of complexity theory can provide GPs with a way to face the more bewildering aspects of their job. This book provides a concise and clear introduction to complexity, tailored specifically for the primary care environment. GPs and their colleagues throughout primary care will find this book assists them in working more efficiently, more effectively and more enjoyably.

Teaching and Learning in Primary Care has been specially designed for undergraduate and vocational teaching. It combines both practical advice and theory covering day-to-day teaching and learning in the real world. It also encourages trainers to become more involved in teaching and supervising. This essential guide provides vital guidance and support to general practitioners with teaching responsibilities, undergraduate healthcare lecturers and tutors and healthcare professionals in primary care.

The much anticipated practical educational manual for General Practice (GP) trainers, programme directors, and other teachers and educators in primary care has finally arrived. This extensive, full-colour guide is written by a select group of hands-on educators who are passionate and knowledgeable. The book captures their wisdom and vast experience in an accessible and practical way. Although it's aimed at GP training, there are many chapters in this book that are relevant and transferrable to teachers and educators in areas outside of General Practice (and worldwide). We are sure that GP appraisers, Foundation Year trainers and other medical/nursing student educators will find the detailed comprehensive explorations inspirational. Beautifully presented, the chapters cover a wide educational framework employing a variety of presentational methods such as flowcharts, diagrams, conversational pieces, scenarios and anecdotes. Each chapter has a corresponding webpage containing over 300 additional resources - providing practical tools as well as additional reading material. This book was awarded the Royal College of GP's 'Paul Freeling Prize' in 2013 for merititious work in the field of General Practice education. It is also used as the foundation textbook for the Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education (PGCE) in at least seven UK universities. The Essential Handbook for GP Training and Education adopts a relaxed, personable approach to primary care education that won't leave you with a headache.

"Many counsellors who work in primary care find it difficult to explain to colleagues in the primary care team what they actually do with clients behind the closed door of their room. In this book the author brings to life in a gripping way what really does go on when a counsellor sees a patient in the primary healthcare setting. It's good to read for once a book that describes so realistically and movingly the minute-by-minute account of what actually happens, not a book describing clever therapists getting it right all the time. The book should be required reading for newly appointed non-clinical managers of counselling services and for primary healthcare staff about to start working with a counsellor as a member of their team." - Graham Curtis Jenkins in his Foreword

Patient-Centered Care Series Series Editors: Moira Stewart Judith Belle Brown and Thomas R Freeman Primary care clinicians are often unfamiliar with new and effective methods for detecting substance abuse problems in their earliest stages and the majority of patients with substance abuse problems remain undiagnosed. Substance Abuse is written by primary care clinicians and focused to meet the needs of primary care providers demonstrating how the patient-centered clinical method can assist clinicians in learning how to diagnose this complex psychosocial disorder. This book describes how to use state-of-the-art screening techniques and how to understand and motivate patients to decrease or eliminate harmful use of alcohol and drugs. It presents the latest scientific findings and gives examples of using a patient-centered approach as well as describing specific communication skills with samples of dialogue illustrating their use in helping substance-abusing patients. This is essential reading for all family doctors paediatricians gynaecologists psychiatrists nurses social workers psychologists and all clinicians whose practices include substance abusing patients. It will also appeal to counsellors education personnel and all professionals working with substance abusing individuals. For more information on other titles in this series please click here

Patient and public involvement in health and social care has become a key element of government policy, and the need to listen and act on the views of patients and the public is an increasingly integral part of the planning and delivery of healthcare. This new edition has been completely revised and updated, providing practical information on the new responsibilities under clinical governance and Health Improvement Programmes, including useful website links and contact details. It offers clear and straightforward practical advice and provides an introduction to the new structures and processes being set up to enable patients and the public to be more influential in designing and delivering healthcare services. This book is essential reading for all healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses and therapists, and those with management responsibilities, as well as policy shapers and patient organisations.