Neuropsychiatry, Neuropsychology, and Behavioral Neurology
Good things sometimes come in small packages, and Kellner and colleagues' Handbook of ECT is one of them.


Russell T. Joffe, M.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario
A truly excellent volume from an authorship which includes some of the leading experts in the clinical practice of ECT


Spencer Eth, M.D., Vice Chairman and Clinical Director, Department of Psychiatry, Saint Vincents Hospital and Medical Center, New York, New York
...an essential guide for psychiatrists wishing to master the oldest, best, and yet most underused treatment for major depression


Book Description
Written by leading experts in the field of electroconvulsive therapy, the Handbook of ECT is a handy, quick reference for experienced practitioners and a guidebook for residents who are learning this procedure. The authors provide a concise overview of all aspects of ECT delivery, including patient selection, treatment techniques, and patient aftercare. The Handbook will enable clinicians to perform ECT according to the most up-to-date standards in the field.


Book Info
Medical Univ. of South Carolina, Charleston. Pocket-sized, quick reference on the practical application of electroconvulsive therapy. For practitioners and residents new to the procedure. Wire-spiral binding. Trim size: 8.25 x 5.5 inches. DNLM: Electroconvulsive Therapy--handbooks.


About the Author
Charles H. Kellner, M.D., is Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Professor in the Department of Neurology, at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. John T. Pritchett, M.D., is is Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. Mark D. Beale, M.D., is Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina. C. Edward Coffey, M.D., is Vice President of Behavioral Services and Chairman and Kathleen and Earl Ward Chair of Psychiatry in the Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, Michigan.

ANNOTATION

The book contains black-and-white illustrations.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Written by leading experts in the field of electro-convulsive therapy, the Handbook of ECT is a handy, quick reference for experienced practitioners and a guidebook for residents who are learning this procedure. The authors provide a concise overview of all aspects of ECT delivery, including patient selection, treatment techniques, and patient aftercare. The Handbook will enable clinicians to perform ECT according to the most up-to-date standards in the field.

FROM THE CRITICS

William Scheftner

This is a short multiauthored handbook-style book that seeks to provide simultaneously an overview of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and specific recommendations on the actual treatment procedures. The authors refer to the book as "...a pocket reference for the ... practitioner" and elsewhere comment that "The goal...is to provide a practical and useful outline of the basics of the treatment..." and "...an overview of all aspects of the treatment, from patient selection through treatment techniques to aftercare of the patient." The objectives are worthwhile and are generally met. Although the book is addressed to the practicing psychiatrist who uses ECT, it is more suitable to the psychiatric resident who is doing the ECT rotation. The authors, who are internationally known for their research work in ECT, have credibility on the subject that cannot be challenged. The illustrations are well done, but there should be more, such as EEG recordings showing a "difficult" end point. The material is easy to access by the table of contents, index, and list of illustrations. The bibliography is excellent, although there are statements for which the experienced clinician would want references, such as issues of seizure duration. The authors provide references that are general and represent state-of-the art summaries. The overall appearance of the book is excellent; its lab coat pocket size is appealing so it can be conveniently carried. This reasonably priced book is aimed at the practitioner, but I believe it is better suited for the psychiatric resident or the clinician who is resuming use of ECT after a lapse. It is well organized, well illustrated, and contains a great deal ofpractical information, such as drug dosages and stimulus parameters for the beginner. However, the level of material is a bit basic for the experienced clinician or someone who reads Convulsive Therapy. Without being encyclopedic, it provides an excellent reference list that would fill out the reader's knowledge. Viewed from that perspective, it is a good text for organizing a beginner's knowledge of ECT.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: William Scheftner, MD (Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center)Description: This is a short multiauthored handbook-style book that seeks to provide simultaneously an overview of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and specific recommendations on the actual treatment procedures. Purpose: The authors refer to the book as "...a pocket reference for the ... practitioner" and elsewhere comment that "The goal...is to provide a practical and useful outline of the basics of the treatment..." and "...an overview of all aspects of the treatment, from patient selection through treatment techniques to aftercare of the patient." The objectives are worthwhile and are generally met. Audience: Although the book is addressed to the practicing psychiatrist who uses ECT, it is more suitable to the psychiatric resident who is doing the ECT rotation. The authors, who are internationally known for their research work in ECT, have credibility on the subject that cannot be challenged. Features: The illustrations are well done, but there should be more, such as EEG recordings showing a "difficult" end point. The material is easy to access by the table of contents, index, and list of illustrations. The bibliography is excellent, although there are statements for which the experienced clinician would want references, such as issues of seizure duration. The authors provide references that are general and represent state-of-the art summaries. The overall appearance of the book is excellent; its lab coat pocket size is appealing so it can be conveniently carried. Assessment: This reasonably priced book is aimed at the practitioner, but I believe it is better suited for the psychiatric resident or the clinician who is resuming use of ECT after a lapse. It is well organized, well illustrated, and contains a great deal of practical information, such as drug dosages and stimulus parameters for the beginner. However, the level of material is a bit basic for the experienced clinician or someone who reads Convulsive Therapy. Without being encyclopedic, it provides an excellent reference list that would fill out the reader's knowledge. Viewed from that perspective, it is a good text for organizing a beginner's knowledge of ECT.

RATING

4 Stars! from Doody

ACCREDITATION