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The book Behavioral Science in Pediatric Medicine edited by Talbot, Kagan, and Eisenberg fills an acute need in modern pediatrics. Practicing pediatricians have been aware, for some time, that a large portion of their knowledge, time, and effort is devoted to psychosocial aspects of child development, of illness in children, and of health care. They have looked to many sources for help in fulfilling this important function. Psychiatrists have offered techniques for patient care. Psychologists have made a contribution primarily in terms of diagnosis. There are also other health professionals who assist pediatricians in their psychosocial task. What has been lacking the most is a scientific basis for this aspect of pediatric practice, and the volume on Behavioral Science in Pediatric Medicine represents a giant step in fulfilling this urgent need.
In respect to this encyclopedic work edited by three distinguished experts in the field, the reviewer's task boggles