General Practice

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.

Table of Contents:

Phelps TOC


PART 1 Principles of integrative medicine

1 Introduction to the concept of integrative medicine

2 Evidence-based healthcare

3 Therapeutic modalities in integrative medicine

4 Principles of herbal medicine

5 Herb-drug interactions

6 The essence of good health

7 Behaviour change strategies

8 Mind-body medicine

9 Exercise as therapy

10 Introduction to clinical nutrition: food and supplements

11 Connectedness: the role of social support

12 Spirituality

13 Screening and prevention

14 Detoxification


PART 2 Principles of general practice

15 The consulting room

16 Communicating with patients

17 The general check-up

18 Practice management principles

19 Integrative medicine and the law

20 Medical ethics


PART 3 Systems

21 Allergies

22 Blood

23 Bones

24 Cancer

25 Cardiology

26 Diabetes

27 Ear, nose and throat

28 Eyes

29 Endocrinology

30 Gastroenterology

31 Genetic conditions

32 Principles of the immune system

33 Joints and connective tissues

34 Musculoskeletal medicine

35 Nails

36 Neurology

37 Obesity

38 Pain management

39 Palliative medicine

40 Psychiatry and psychological medicine

41 Respiratory medicine

42 Skin

43 Sleep disorders

44 Sports medicine

45 Travel medicine

46 Urology

47 Weight problems and eating disorders


PART 4 Men’s health

48 Men’s health

49 Erectile dysfunction

50 An integrative approach to prostate cancer


PART 5 Women’s health

51 Breast disease

52 Gynaecology

53 Menopause


PART 6 Lifecycle health

54 Pregnancy and antenatal care

55 Child health and development

56 Adolescent health and development

57 Geriatric medicine

58 Ageing


PART 7 Social conditions

59 Domestic violence

60 HIV management in general practice

61 Sexual health

62 Substance (drug and alcohol) misuse