Physiotherapy for People with Learning Difficulties

Physiotherapy for People with Learning Difficulties

227 Concepts In Hand Rehabilitation by Babara G Stanley and Susan M Pibuzi. F A Davis Co, Philadelphia, 1992 (British distributor: Williamsand Wilkin...

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Concepts In Hand Rehabilitation by Babara G Stanley and Susan M Pibuzi. F A Davis Co, Philadelphia, 1992 (British distributor: Williamsand Wilkins Ud, Broadway House. 2-6 Fulham Broadway, London SW6 1AA). (ISBN 0 8036 8092 9). Illus. 582 pages. f30.

A multi-authored book edited by a physiotherapist an d occupational therapist, this work is part of a series, ‘Contemporary Perspectives in Rehabilitation’, and is intended to be a comprehensive reference book for students and practitioners of hand therapy. As with so many books on hand therapy, it is an American publication. Those familiar with US texts will recognise many of the authors who are well known in their field of hand therapy. Section 1deals with functional anatomy and wound healing, and section 2 with evaluation ofthe hand, section 3 discusses conceptsin clinical treatment, and section 4 clinical treatment in specific diagnoses. The first two sections certainly provide fundamental information on functional anatomy and evaluation of the hand. They are well illustrated with diagrams and tables which complement the text. Sections 3 and 4 are similarly well illustrated but focus on concepts of clinical treatment which are particularly practised in the United States. Although these practices exist outside America, the practice of physiotherapy does vary and

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Gold Standards Professional targets for the care of elderly people Age Concern England, Astral House, 7268 London Road, London SWl6 4ER, 1992 (ISBN 0862 42 135 7). 47pages. f3.

This bibliography brings together for the first time professional standards in the care of older people published since 1985. Physiotherapy is represented by the standards of practice produced by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists with a Special Interest in Elderly People. The book will be ‘dipped into’ by reeearchers, and the index is crucial. The author acknowledges that in this first attempt readers will identify omissions. Consideration should be given to including health promotion, rehabilitation, continuing care, dentistry, audiology, ophthalmics and audit in subsequent editions. The section on medical conditions would be better organised under specialty headings rather than a mix between specialties and diseases. The criteria for inclusion are not stated and appear to be a mix of ‘good intentions’ and evaluated practice. The fight for inclusion in future editions, hopefully annual as this area develops, will require this to be addressed. Purchasers and providers will find the book an essential reference for contract details on quality of services and will wish other specialties were similarly targeted. It will educate its users on the complexity of identifying and comprehensively meeting the health and social needs of older people. This book will be essential

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A Colles’/kcture is a dorsal replocement of the distal fragment. A drawingfrom ‘Concepts in Hand Rehabilitation’ the all-American authorship of this book results in some areas of clinical treatments’being less well covered and, in some cases, omitted altogether. There is no coverage of mobilisation techniques such as Maitland’s, nor the wide variety of electrical modalities currently used in the United Kingdom. However, the book achieves what it sets out to do, that is to provide a reference book on hand rehabilitation as practised in the United States. It does highlight the need for a British publication on hand rehabilitation to provide a more balanced

state of the art in the field of hand therapy. It is encouraging to see that this book on hand rehabilitation has been edited by and designed for therapists, but disappointing that it is exclusively American, excluding some very accomplished hand therapists from other countries who would have contributed enormously to providing a more comprehensive and broader viewpoint on hand therapy. Victoria Frampton MCSP

reading for all staff involved in setting and auditing standards of practice. A department copy should be well thumbed. Amanda Squires MSc MCSP

a good assessment; monitoring and evaluation; programme planning; techniques and skills required by physiotherapists; quality standards; and some very good sound managemant advice. The chapter on teaching includes carere, and the section on how to help student physiotherapists is particularly helpful. More and more students are becoming aware of the role of physiotherapists in learning disabilities and how they work within a multidisciplinary environment. Mrs Auty looks at student placements and gives helpful suggestions for teaching within the schools of physiotherapy and during clinical placements. There are some interesting and informative case studies, a useful bibliography and resource list. Mrs Auty’s presentation throughout is good, clear and to the point. The text is relevant and basic, a perfect introduction to physiotherapists coming from busy generic departments into the very different world of learning disabilities, and one that student physiotherapists can use as a good introduction to what is &n an initially disturbing clinical placement; not forgetting the boost to morale for physiotherapists who have been struggling for years wondering if they are doing the ‘right thing’. All of us working in this clinical area will be grateful to Mrs Auty for ‘grasping the nettle’ and producing the book that we have all wanted to write but. . . . I can certainly recommend this book as a useful addition to any departmental library and to all practitioners as a good source of basic information. Anneliese Barrel1 MCSP

Physiotherapy for People with Learning Difficulties by Patricia Odunmabku AuV. Woodhead Faulknec Cambridge, 7997 (ISBN 0 85941 663 7). Illus. 737 pages. flZ50.

This book is a must for all physiotherapists starting to work in the learning disabilities specialty. It fills a n enormous resource gap, and so will be welcomed by established staff and students alike. Mrs Auty has addressed most of the topics and areas of concern which should be familiar to all practitioners within this clinical area. In the chapter on physiotherapy and social role valorisation she touches on the history of services to the ‘mentally handicapped‘ from before the Industrial Revolution, the day of the ‘cretin and idiot’, to looking at modern society’s attitudes with care in the community, passing and advocacy. The second chapter takes the aetiology of conditions predisposing to a learning disability; causes, classification, and the effects of the environment. The chapters specifically on physiotherapy treatment cover the way the physiotherapist’s role has changed; the importance and problems of obtaining

Physlotherapy, March 1993, vol79, no 3