Product 3396/9739

 Previous 
 Return to the Product List 
 Next 

How Psychiatrists Make Decisions The Science of Clinical Reasoning

  • ISBN 9780198960706
  • Author: HEINRICHS
  • Publ Date: 2025-08-19
  • Edition:
  • Binding: Hardback

$226.09
Sale: $203.48
Save: 10% off + GST

Add to Cart:
In an age of 'scientific psychiatry' and evidenced-based medicine, the judgement of the psychiatric clinician in treating an individual patient has been devalued as the 'art' of medicine as opposed to science, with reduced evidentiary value. The clinician is asked to apply the results of formal research studies of groups of patients, the patient reduced to a token of a type, the latter usually defined by diagnosis. Yet the limits of formal research to guide the
treatment of the unique individual requires clinical judgments where there is little formal guidance while the clinician's deliberations are devalued as necessary but of questionable validity. This dilemma
has been encouraged by the tacit nature of the way clinicians reach decisions.
In this book, Heinrichs makes explicit the underlying methodology of the clinical reasoning of experienced psychiatrists. Starting with a detailed phenomenological examination of specific cases, he argues that this methodology involves constructing models of each individual patient composed of patterns of propensities and their interaction (POP models). From this, rational interventions can be
hypothesized and predictions generated and tested. The nature and characteristics of this modelling procedure is described in detail.
By making the model explicit, clinicians can
more critically assess their work. Such models can also play a valuable role in educating clinical trainees. This is discussed using recent work of cognitive scientists studying how expertise is developed across disciplines where considerable ambiguity and complexity exist. From this, specific recommendations follow for applying POP models in training settings, to help turn novices into experts.
Finally, the book challenges the devaluing of clinical judgment about
individual patients by examining contemporary developments in the philosophy of science. Problems with the hypothetico-deductive view of science led to a naturalistic exploration of science. Model construction
to represent concrete pieces of reality to solve concrete problems has emerged as the fundamental process in science as practiced across all scientific disciplines. POP modelling simply constitutes this process in psychiatry. Hence, when properly understood and rigorous applied, clinical reasoning is a fully scientific process, and merits high epistemological credibility.
Whilst every effort is made to keep pricing information up-to-date, prices and availability are subject to change without notice. Where prices or other details have changed from those listed on the website we will contact the customer and only proceed with the order after receiving acceptance of the revised pricing.
Your IP Address is: 216.73.216.186
Copyright © 2026 Medical Books. Powered by Zen Cart