A comprehensive manual for the psychiatrist and other physicians who render their professional expertise to the ever increasing numbers of American nursing home residents. The manual includes state-of-the-art biopsychosocial practice models interwoven with profound understanding of current legislative mandates for health assessments, treatments, documentations, and communications with regional Medicare carriers. There is guidance here for the appropriate use of type, dose, and durations of medications commonly used by psychiatrist with suitable modifications for an elderly patient population with at times multiple comorbidities. The guidance for the use of ever changing complexities of mandated coding systems, by type, site, and time rendered is invaluable as is the alternative of hourly contractual arrangements with a nursing home. This manual will facilitate the work of all our colleagues who make a professional commitment to contribute to improve the quality of late life of patients who can no longer live independently in the community. Marion Zucker Goldstein, M.D., Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, SUNY at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, New York This is an outstanding reference for any clinician involved in nursing home care. Many will benefit from this clear, comprehensive overview of clinical and regulatory issues. The wisdom, experience, and clinical skills of the seasoned authors -- all leaders in the field -- shows through. John S. McIntyre, M.D., Past President, American Psychiatric Association, Rochester, New York We know that nursing homes are modern-day mental institutions in which many patients need our help. The Manual of Nursing Home Practice for Psychiatrists has just made caring for them easier. It guides the clinician through the perplexities of medical comorbidity, regulatory oversight, financial disincentives, and environmental limitations. It gives hope to patients and their families that help is on the way. Barry W. Rovner, M.D., Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This manual of nursing home practice for psychiatrists covers such topics as nursing homes, mental health and the role of the psychiatrist, and evaluation and management of psychiatric problems in long-term care patients, with special reference to behavioural problems.