Psychiatric Home Care

This book comprehensively considers the clinical home care of patients with psychiatric illnesses and patients who are experiencing psychological distress in response to medical illnesses. The author's purpose is to enhance the understanding of studentnurses, inexperienced psychiatric nurses, and administrators of home health services about the needs of patients who require psychiatric or psychosocial intervention in their homes. The author clearly meets her objective. She describes her intended audience as students, educators, administrators, as well as inexperienced psychiatric nurses. Later in the text she expands her audience to home care nurses without psychiatric nursing training. This book is appropriate for that audience and could also be a meaningful reference for experienced psychiatric nurses in home care and institutional settings as well as for nurses in all settings who are concerned about the holistic home care needs of patients. It is clearly written and practically focused. The author considers the multiple and complex issues involved in providing psychosocial and psychiatric nursing care in the home. The references are relevant and up-to-date. The outlining and highlighting of particularly pertinent information is very useful and enhances the easy access to information. This book is very well done. A multitude of important issues and concerns regarding psychiatric and psychosocial needs of patients are presented in a highly readable and well organized format. The information is current, well-referenced, comprehensive, and clinically relevant. This book has the potential to contribute significantly to the home care of psychiatric patients and to patients experiencing psychological challenges in relation to medical illnesses.