Advocacy is a broad term that covers activities aimed at increasing attention, awareness, information, nursing, treatment, and support to improve the outcome of patients. These actions can be focused directly towards patients or indirectly via third parties. Although advocacy is present in all medical specialties, neurology in particular finds itself in need of strong advocacy tools as the diagnosis, treatment, long-term care and associated resource, and social issues have become increasingly complex. While some physicians implicitly or explicitly act as advocates, there is a lack of holistic research in order to clarify the meaning of advocacy along with concrete methods and strategies. Advocacy in Neurology provides an integrated approach to the concept of advocacy in neurology. Structured in five sections, the book begins by explaining the term "advocacy" in general before elaborating on the areas of interest within neurology. The text goes on to offer concrete strategies and tools for clinicians to deploy advocacy in their daily work, and then discusses specific neurological diseases to point out and explain where advocacy is, or could be, beneficial. The book ends with an outlook, presentation of results, and an ending conclusion. Advocacy in Neurology offers a practical perspective on advocacy activities in neurology, aiming to show when and why they are important for neurology.

Here is a marvelous guide for anyone affected by Parkinson's disease--patients, caregivers, family members, and friends. Containing the most up-to-date information on the disease, one of the most common neurological disorders, it discusses the available treatments and provides practical advice on how to manage the disease in the long term. Emphasizing life-style adjustments that will provide a better quality of life and moderate the burden for patients and their loved ones, the book answers many questions and clarifies misunderstandings regarding the disease. Written by two experts on Parkinson's disease and a freelance journalist, the book is approachable and easily understandable. Question and answer sections are provided, while "hot topics" are highlighted for easy visibility. The authors have also included true patient stories that will both inspire and instruct, and they have addressed several topics often not mentioned in physician-directed disease management, such as how to talk to family and friends about one's life with Parkinson's.

"[I]t is becoming much more common for mental health providers to become community mental health advocates, and given the complexities and nuances associated with tasks such as getting involved with legislative issues or fund raising, a work like this serves an important and useful purpose. It is concise, yet revealing, and explains concepts in clear and practical language. Most importantly, it delivers on its promise to transform its readers into more savvy participants in the process of advocating for their mental health patients."--Doody's Medical Reviews "This book provides a valuable introduction to the discerning mental health practitioner who wants to apply their advocacy skills into their everyday work place."--ACAMH, The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health "Great book! Learning to be an effective advocate in multiple arenas is essential for all health professionals, particularly physicians. This text utilizes a broad definition of advocacy and provides information that can be used by multiple types of providers to learn effective strategies to educate and inform others. It is readable with fascinating case examples and practical tips that can be utilized flexibly across a range of issues, formats and audiences. It is a great addition to the libraries of anyone practicing in the health care field, regardless of specialty or years of practice." Arden D Dingle, MD Program Director, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Emory University School of Medicine A wealth of advocacy tools for health and mental health professionals at all levels of training and practice are included in this clear and comprehensive volume. Written by medical, legal, and policy experts, it fills a void in the literature by addressing multiple topics in advocacy in the health field as a whole. The text addresses the legislative process, provides step-by-step approaches for using the media, and discusses when to seek an attorney, when to litigate, working with family and community, and funding strategies. It also covers such seldom-addressed topics as leveraging research findings for advocacy purposes. Two outstanding features of the text are a discussion of the rationale for advocacy and a call for readers to examine their own motivations for this work, and a chapter by health educators who provide guidance about advances in learning theory that will help readers assimilate the material. The volume will serve as both a resource for advocacy coursework and as a guide for the independent practitioner of advocacy. Key Features: Provides a wealth of advocacy tools for health professionals at all levels of training and practice Written in a clear, straightforward manner for easy access Includes a unique metacognitive theory that will help readers to thoroughly integrate the information and provides tools for self-analysis Highlights main teaching points with summaries, case studies, and reflection questions

Visions: The Inspirational Journeys of Epilepsy Advocates contains the stories of 50 people who have answered the call to advocate on behalf of those with epilepsy. They are people with epilepsy, family members, or friends who have been motivated by their own, unique experiences to make a positive impact in the lives of people who have epilepsy. This book empowers people affected by epilepsy and inspires continued advocacy for what has been a misunderstood and underfunded neurological disorder.

This book teaches readers the clinical skills residents in neurology have to acquire in the course of their training, and approaches neurology like a doctor approaches a patient: first there is a chapter on how to perform an efficient neurological history according to neuroanatomical key features, then a chapter on the bedside examination, followed by chapters on differential diagnosis, diagnostic procedures and lastly, the treatment. Neurology at the Bedside aims to provide readers with a personal clinical mentor. It takes them by the hand and guides them through the whole patient encounter from the history to the treatment, at each step pointing out what is essential and what is not. Extensive differential diagnostic flow charts and detailed treatment suggestions make it a perfect coat pocket reference for the wards. In addition, more than 50 unique case histories cover the entire spectrum of the field. Neurology at the Bedside is written for neurologists in training: residents as well as senior house officers. Also medical students, general practitioners and others with an interest in neurology will find invaluable information here that is difficult to look up in traditional textbooks or online references.

No other book on the subject Chronic diseases, especially those associated with poor nutrition, obesity, and addiction have grown to epidemic proportion in many poor and minority populations Covers all essential topics, including Navigating Language Barriers, Understanding Disability, Patient Education, Substance Abusers, the Care of Gay and Lesbian Patients, Reproductive Issues in Poor Women, and much more

"Neurology is a quantitively small corner of medicine that, increasingly, occupies a position of outsized importance and distinction in both the practice of medicine and in the health and well-being of society. The Decade of the Brain came into public awareness in 1990 as an initiative of president George W. Bush involving the NIH and NIMH "to enhance public awareness of the benefits to be derived from brain research"(1). In the intervening 20 years since 1999, we have seen significant increases in understanding the myriad of neurological diseases that confront society"--