General Practice

The aim of the book is to provide a comprehensive General Practice text book which takes a contemporary, integrative approach to diagnosis, investigation and management of health issues and disease states encountered in the general practice environment. The book will cover the philosophy underpinning general practice in the 21st Century, and deal with primary and secondary prevention as well as acute and chronic disease management.
General Practice: The Integrative Approach will inform doctors as fully as possible about potential treatment and prevention options, as well as potential pitfalls according to the growing evidence base in this area. The book is directed at best practice rather than alternative practice. The first section of the textbook lays the foundations and principles of Integrative Medicine and the second section examines important medical conditions in a systems based approach.
Each chapter begins by detailing the allopathic medical and consulting knowledge required of a standard GP text, discussing physiology and pharmacological management plans of systems-based conditions. The chapter then leads into an evidence-based discussion of the therapeutic options available for the treatment of associated factors, essentially providing practitioners with the knowledge required to adapt their approach to meet the needs of the individual patient.
A national panel of experts with experience in Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, nutritional medicine, naturopathy, and exercise therapy have contributed to their various fields of expertise to incorporate management plans that utilise a variety of therapeutic modalities to achieve the best clinical outcome.

Kerryn Phelps, MBBS(Syd), FRACGP, FAMA, Adjunct Professor, School Public Health and Discipline General Practice, University of Sydney, Australia and Craig Hassed, Senior Clinical Lecturer, Deputy Head of Department, Department of General Practice, Monash University

Table of Contents:

Section 1

S1.A: Introduction to the concept of Integrative Medicine

S1.B: Evidence-based health care

S1.C: Finding information on integrative medicine

S1.D: Therapeutic modalities

S1.E: Principles of Herbal Medicine

S1.F: Herb-drug interactions

S1.G: The essence of good health

S1.H: Education and behaviour change strategies

S1.I: Stress management and mind-body medicine

S1.J: Exercise as therapy

S1.K: Clinical nutrition: food as therapy and nutritional supplements

S1.L: Connectedness and the role of social support

S1.M: Spirituality and the role of meaning

S1.N: Environment

S1.O: Consulting room

S1.P: Domestic violence

S1.Q: Medico legal issues

S1.R: Practice management principles

S1.S: Consulting skills and communication

S1.T: Prevention and screening

S1.U: The general check-up

S1.V: Emergencies in general practice

S1.W: Safe Detox

Section 2

S2.01: Abnormal blood tests

S2.02: Adolescent health and development

S2.03: Ageing

S2.04: Allergies

S2.05: Blood

S2.06: Bones

S2.07: Breast disease

S2.08: Cancer

S2.09: Cardiovascular

S2.10: Child health and development

S2.11: Diabetes

S2.12: Ear, nose and throat

S2.13: Eyes

S2.14: Endocrine

S2.15: Fitness to drive

S2.16: Gastrointestinal

S2.17: Genetic abnormalities

S2.18: Geriatric medicine

S2.19: Gynaecology

S2.20: Musculoskeletal medicine

S2.21: Hair

S2.22: HIV/AIDs

S2.23: Injury prevention

S2.24: Joints and connective tissues

S2.25: Menopause

S2.26: Medical Ethics

S2.27: Nails

S2.28: Neurology

S2.29: Pain management

S2.20: Palliative Care

S2.31: Pregnancy and antenatal care

S2.32: Women's health

S2.33: Men's health

S2.34: Psychiatry and psychological medicine

S2.35: Peri-operative care

S2.36: Respiratory

S2.37: Sexual Health

S2.38: Erectile dysfunction

S2.39: Skin

S2.40: Sleep disorders

S2.41: Sports medicine

S2.42: Substance abuse

S2.43: Travel medicine

S2.44: Urology

S2.45: Weight problems and eating disorders