Seminars in General Adult Psychiatry as a title is slightly misleading. The Oxford English Dictionary definition of a seminar describes, ‘a class that meets for systematic study under the direction of a teacher’. The key elements of seminars are groups of, usually, more advanced students actively participating in a discursive learning process. Clearly, the written word will always fall short of this definition. That being said, Stein & Wilkinson, in their preface to this second edition, try to provide direction. This large textbook (the second edition now comes in a single volume despite containing more than the combination of the two volumes of the first) is aimed at those in training for Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Daunting at first glance, the editors' guidance gives a route in, highlighting where to start reading for the novice trainee. They also give permission to skip some of the heavier, more theoretical parts of these early readings, saving them for later when they will be less overwhelming as the trainee's knowledge and experience grows.
Soundly rooted in clinical psychiatry, the chapters dealing with the disorders and therapies do so in a fairly traditional style. Evidence behind therapeutic approaches is appropriately emphasised and set in a clinical context with evidence for non-drug therapies being included in this edition. It is clear from the therapeutics chapters, and also those on service provision, that this is very much a UK textbook. The references to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines, mental health legislation and the care programme approach locate it more particularly in England. That being said, NICE guidelines are not mentioned in isolation; those of the American Psychiatric Association are referenced too. These points are not highlighted as a criticism. For some, perhaps overseas trainees aiming to sit the MRCPsych, it may be an added bonus in preparing for the exam.
So does this book justify its price? There is no doubt that as a textbook for the specialism of general adult psychiatry it serves its purpose well. For trainees proceeding to the MRCPsych in particular it is a worthwhile purchase. But, like all such books, it is worth perusing a copy to see whether its style matches your learning and reading preferences. My review copy, it's worth noting, has gone straight from my desk to my trainee's as he prepares for his exams.
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