The Physician as Patient: A Clinical Handbook for Mental Health Professionals

Professionals treating physicians need to be attuned to a host of considerations not applicable to other patients coverage found in The Physician as Patient. This practical handbook combines the perspectives of two seasoned psychiatrists who have been assessing and treating physicians for more than 30 years and who here discuss not only common illnesses and problems seen in doctors but also the many biopsychosocial treatments that are indicated. Myers and Gabbard consider such issues as the uniqueness of the physician s psychological makeup that facilitates or impedes diagnosis and treatment, describe the most common medical and psychiatric illnesses in physicians (including addictions), and address such topics as personality disorders and the increasingly important subject of boundary violations.

In addition to key issues in therapy and prevention, the authors cover important topics such as considering sociocultural customs and values when treating minority physicians and addressing the clinical, humanistic, ethical, and legal dimensions of psychiatric evaluation. Brimming with case examples, the book s reader-friendly style facilitates quick grasp of concepts, while an extensive list of references and websites provides an entrée for additional support, making it an indispensable resource for all mental health professionals who take caregivers into their care.