Psychiatric Practice Under Fire is a well-constructed and well-written book that examines some of the prominent forces in society that have acted to unscientifically regulate medical practice, primarily psychiatric practice. In fact, this book is important for all physicians and specialties, because the information presented should cause sincere concern for all who feel that medical practice is moving out of the hands of the doctor and becoming influenced and controlled by forces whose agendas are other than to provide the best scientific patient care available.
Editor Harold Schwartz, MD, has brought together a group of knowledgeable professionals to address many topics, some primarily of interest to psychiatrists, that run the gamut over managed care, the media, and more. Chapters carefully outline the history, regulatory agencies involved, and the pertinent impact on the practice of medicine. Chapter topics are current and critically important. As I read the book, I began to