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The teaching of the basic concepts and practice of psychotherapy to students in medical schools is, with rare exceptions, limited to a few theoretical seminars. As Professor Steven Hirsch, in the foreword to this volume, and the editor Dr Harold Maxwell, in his introductory chapter, point out, this is unfortunate in view of the growing awareness, both within and outside the medical profession, of the important role of the psychological aspects of medical practice and of the doctor-patient relationship. This short and easily readable book is intended to fill this gap.
It consists of eight chapters written by different authors. The editor briefly describes the basic principles of individual psychotherapy, both supportive and insight-directed, and provides a short summary of a few major psychoanalytic concepts. This is followed by a more detailed and helpful account of the history, present-day concepts and clinical applications of psychodynamic psychotherapy, written by David Alexander from the University of Aberdeen. A short contribution by Jon Sklar from Cambridge draws attention to the varied, and sometimes disturbing, feelings students may experience when interviewing and examining patients. He emphasizes the need for students to become sensitive to the meaning of their own feelings and of physical and psychological processes in the practice of medicine. The application of psychological understanding and of psychotherapy to the practice of liaison-psychiatry in a hospital setting is described by Chris Thomas from Leicester Royal Infirmary, special attention being paid to the management of the patient's reactions to his illness.
Perhaps the most practical and lively chapter is the one by Andrew Elder on psychotherapy in general practice. Several brief but highly instructive case histories are given to illustrate important issues concerning the doctor-patient relationship, the nature of diagnosis and the various kinds of psychotherapy that can be used in general practi