Principles and Practice of Psychiatric Rehabilitation: An Empirical Approach. By Patrick W. Corrigan, Kim T. Mueser, Gary R. Bond, Robert E. Drake & Phyllis Solomon. Guilford Press. 2008. 536pp. US$75.00 (hb). ISBN: 9781593854898

This is an exceptionally good book, and one of the few that can genuinely be recommended to all psychiatric trainees and every library.

The authors have pooled their considerable knowledge and experience to produce a cautious and comprehensive review of how best to work with ‘consumers’ with ‘psychiatric disabilities’ which stays commendably close to the practical realities of everyday practice. Weighing in at 2lb 10oz and with 90 pages of references it may initially appear disconcertingly heavyweight but is none the less lucidly written and carefully designed to enhance its readability and usefulness. Propositions, definitions and models are all clearly described, the evidence in support of each is critically evaluated and reviews are helpfully punctuated by succinct summaries and conclusions – including the limitations of the evidence itself.

It centres on the needs of people with severe mental illness in ten basic life domains including work, housing, education and family. Alongside well-shaped reviews of familiar topics, such as case management and medication, are challenging areas including managing aggression and people with dual diagnosis. These are usefully extended into emerging areas of collaborative practice such as self-management and peer-provided services.

They have sought to produce an evidence-based text where the research speaks for itself, unembroidered by speculation or opinion. But it is never really possible to serve up theory-free facts or value-free observations and they appear to show a little of their otherwise invisible editorial hand in dismissively lumping psychoanalytic considerations with mesmerism and phrenology as historical artefacts that ‘have no utility in understanding disabilities and yielding no benefits in addressing the needs of people with serious mental illnesses’.

This is probably the best account of the evidence base for contemporary rehabilitation practice to date and a commendable starting place for further study or research. In building their book upon the twin foundations of empowerment and recovery they have produced a text which is highly complementary to Enabling Recovery (a title I co-edited for Gaskell in 2007) and a welcome contribution to the redevelopment of rehabilitation in the context of recovery-oriented practice. But I do hope that their neologistic identification of consumers who also provide services as ‘prosumers’ does not survive the voyage across the Atlantic.