Psychonephrology

The book focuses on pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches of psychiatric syndromes that commonly occur in patients with kidney disease. It specifically reviews principles of psychotherapy and psychopharmacology with an emphasis on organ impairment and drug-drug interactions specific to nephrology. This book also covers issues with medication nonadherence in patients with chronic kidney disease and psychiatric comorbidity, as well as the associated issues in dialysis and renal transplantation. Additionally, chapters cover various other topics addressing an active stance towards health promotion in chronically ill patients, including the critical role of the diet and physical activity. Such advice is often complex and changing depending on the stage of chronic kidney disease and the individual needs of the patient. Written by specialists in the field, Psychonephrology: A Guide to Principles and Practice serves as a valuable reference and teaching tool that provides an opportunity for learning across a rapidly evolving medical field.

Major nephrological and psychological organizations have, at best, set aside only small portions of their programs for papers or panels devoted to the psychological aspect of patients with end-stage renal disease. Thus, the increased need for information concerning the psychological aspects of end-stage renal disease has been met by occasional journal articles, professional peer discussions, small portions of national confer ences, and informal conversations and consultations with people with clinical and research experience in these areas. The First International Conference on Psychological Factors in Hemodialysis and Transplantation arose out of a need to have a forum in which the major people involved in treatment and research in this area could share their latest work among themselves and with the registrants. The initial encouragement for organizing such a conference came from the rank and file of nephrology social workers, nephrology nurses, and liaison psychiatrists and psychologists. In early 1977 I had decided that I would make an effort to organize such a meeting and asked the two other individuals most closely identified with major research in this area, Atara Kaplan De-Nour and Harry S. Abram, to join me in planning this confer ence. With their support and suggestions concerning the program, I embarked upon an attempt to raise financial backing for it. I was some what surprised to find that the many equipment and drug companies supporting nephrological conferences were not greatly interested in this one.

Now in its fifth edition, Renal Nursing continues to be the essential evidence-based guide to nephrology and kidney care for nurses and allied health care professionals. This comprehensive text examines the stages of chronic kidney disease, pre-dialysis care, acute kidney injury, renal replacement therapy, renal nutrition, renal care in children and young people and more. Offers thorough coverage of all major aspects of kidney care Includes updated content on current practice, changes in policies, care and management, with the latest research evidence and current NICE guidance on renal replacement therapy Has an innovative chapter on patient and public involvement in kidney care Renal Nursing is an indispensable resource for nurses working in nephrology, dialysis and transplantation, nurses in post-registration renal courses, student nurses in renal wards, specialist renal dietitians, pharmacists and other allied health professionals in related fields.

Originally published in 1983, fifteen well-known psychologists and psychotherapists write about their personal interests to give the reader a vivid picture of the complexities of psychotherapy in Britain at the time. They explore aspects of the interaction and intersection of the psychological and psychotherapeutic worlds, paying particular attention to the practical and theoretical controversies involved in this overlap. The first half of the book concerns itself with problems of theory and practice in psychology and psychotherapy, while the second half deals with professional conflicts and political issues impinging upon the practice of psychotherapy by psychologists. Areas of concern and controversy that are scrutinised include the problematic relationship between academic psychology and psychotherapy; doubts and certainties in psychotherapy; the psychology of helping; the relevance of the psychodynamic tradition; inter-professional disputes; women and psychotherapy; and social class issues in psychotherapy.

Although Professor Kahr spends most of his week facilitating traditional psychoanalytical sessions with his patients, in his spare time he has had many professional adventures outside the consulting room, broadcasting as Resident Psychotherapist for the B.B.C., lecturing about the intimacies of couple psychodynamics on the stage of the Royal Opera House, and defending “Lady Macbeth” in a murder trial at the Royal Courts of Justice in conjunction with members of the Royal Shakespeare Company. In this compellingly written and unputdownable book, Kahr shares his wealth of adventures both inside the consulting room and in the wider cultural sphere, disseminating psychoanalytical ideas more broadly. The book suggests that the “traditionalist” and the “maverick” aspects of the practising clinician can exist side by side in a fruitful collaboration. These adventures will encourage those embarking upon their first steps in the helping professions to entertain more creative ways of working.