Diagnosis and Management of Parkinson's Disease Book

Provides the clinician with the concepts involved in effective management of Parkinson's disease. The diagnosis of PD is reviewed, as well as differential diagnosis. Pharmacologic management is the main focus of the book with detailed information on the efficacy of available drug therapies. Management of complications of PD and their therapy and surgical treatment options are reviewed.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Jason S Hawley, Doctorate of Medicine(Walter Reed Army Medical Center)
Description:This is the fourth edition of a concise user's manual for understanding, diagnosing, and treating Parkinson's Disease. It is an easy to read pocket guide that takes into account the most recent advances in the management of Parkinson's.
Purpose:The author's objectives are to lay out a review of pertinent aspects of Parkinson's Disease. The book is designed to be concise and readily accessible for quick reference. There are many books addressing pertinent issues of managing Parkinson's, but a small, well written, yet informative pocket reference is certainly a worthy addition to the literature. Moreover, the author addresses the most up-to-date therapies for treatment, making it very current for the most experienced physicians.
Audience:The book is intended for clinical physicians, both primary care and subspecialists. It is meant to be used on an everyday basis, for quick reference to pertinent information related to all aspects of Parkinson's. Since the author is a leading authority on managing Parkinson's Disease, it's like having a subspecialist in your pocket.
Features:The author starts with pathophysiology and etiology of Parkinson's, then moves through diagnosis, then spends the last third of the book discussing the varied therapies for Parkinson's, both pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic. While dopaminergic therapy is discussed in detail, the author does not stop there. In probably one of the most useful chapters of the text, she reviews the non-pharmocologic management of the disease, with a good discussion of family counseling and therapies to include physical, occupational, and speech. The section on physical therapy is certainly unique, with excellent illustrations. She also addresses pertinent management of complications of Parkinson's Disease. This chapter is also very easy to read and reference.
Assessment:I find the book very useful. This is not a heavy reference text that will gather dust on your bookcase. This is a book meant to be used every day, carried in your lab coat, and quickly referenced between and during patient appointments. Despite its size, the book is very informative and thorough. The author has successfully distilled a large text on Parkinson's Disease into a small and handy pocket guide.