The aim of the book is to provide a comprehensive General Practice text book which takes a contemporary, integrative approach to diagnosis, investigation and management of health issues and disease states encountered in the general practice environment. The book will cover the philosophy underpinning general practice in the 21st Century, and deal with primary and secondary prevention as well as acute and chronic disease management.
General Practice: The Integrative Approach will inform doctors as fully as possible about potential treatment and prevention options, as well as potential pitfalls according to the growing evidence base in this area. The book is directed at best practice rather than alternative practice. The first section of the textbook lays the foundations and principles of Integrative Medicine and the second section examines important medical conditions in a systems based approach.
Each chapter begins by detailing the allopathic medical and consulting knowledge required of a standard GP text, discussing physiology and pharmacological management plans of systems-based conditions. The chapter then leads into an evidence-based discussion of the therapeutic options available for the treatment of associated factors, essentially providing practitioners with the knowledge required to adapt their approach to meet the needs of the individual patient.
A national panel of experts with experience in Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, nutritional medicine, naturopathy, and exercise therapy have contributed to their various fields of expertise to incorporate management plans that utilise a variety of therapeutic modalities to achieve the best clinical outcome.