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Psychosocial disorders are recognized late if at all-and often mistreated. Yet they account for the most days off work and years lost to disability. Written for general practitioners, this text addresses the issue in the key context of primary healthcare.

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Psychosocial problems appear within a medical context worldwide, and are a major burden to health. Psychosomatic Medicine: An International Primer for the Primary Care Setting takes a uniquely global approach in laying the foundations of bio psychosocial basic care (such as recognizing psychosocial and psychosomatic problems, basic counseling and collaboration with mental health specialists) and provides relevant information about the most common mental and psychosomatic problems and disorders. The scope of the book is intercultural-it addresses global cultures, subcultures living in a single country and strengthening the care given by physicians working abroad.

This clinically useful book outlines best practices for diagnosing the most common bio psychosocial problems and mastering the most common communication challenges (e.g. doctor-patient conversation, breaking bad news, dealing with difficult patients, family and health systems communication and collaboration). Every chapter integrates basic theoretical background and practical skills and includes trans-culturally sensitive material, important for work with patients from different cultures. Psychosomatic Medicine: An International Primer for the Primary Care Setting serves as an excellent resource for clinicians hoping to gain and develop knowledge and skills in psychosomatic medicine.

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From the book reviews:

"This book examines the mental health aspects of primary care medicine and discusses topics related to common complaints encountered in the primary care setting. ... The audience is primary care clinicians and ancillary medical personnel. The editors and contributors are international experts, practitioners, and educators. ... This is an informative book on a difficult subject. The authors present many unifying principles that add great value to the discussion." (Vincent F. Carr, Doody´s Book Reviews, October, 2014)

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Prof. Michael Wirsching lehrt an der Universität Freiburg i. Br. und ist Ärztlicher Direktor der Abteilung Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie der Universitätsklinik Freiburg i. Br.

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