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The primacy of caring
NURSEEDUCATIONTODAY Childbirth Education: Practice Research and Theory
F H Nichols 8c S Smith Humenick Saunders 1988 586pp Illus ISBN O-7216-2052-3
di2 1.95
Any teacher of expectant parents or those preparing others for this role will be attracted by this title. It is a joy to find a book in which practice is shown throughout to evolve from research findings and in turn to generate more research. In reviewing the book I became totally immersed in the detail of many sections, even to the extent of trying out the relaxation exercises! The contents are extensive, ranging from Philosophy and Sexuality to Acupressure and Promotion of wellness - information packed from cover to cover. Contributors form an impressive all American list, the text is divided into logical sections and each chapter has the same format of: Introduction - Review of the Literature - Implications for Practice - Implications for Research - Summary. The references are extensive and mainly American but do include some of European origin. Too large to be a pocket book but an asset to the book shelves of childbirth educators and nursing/midwifery libraries. Very fairly priced for the quality of the book and the wealth of content. ROSEMARYDSMITH SRN SCM MTD
Safer Sex P Gordon & L Mitchell Faber 1988 14lpp Illus ISBN o-571-151698-8
f3.95
This short paperback explores the area of sexual expression in the era of AIDS and HIV infection. In particular the book focuses upon the potential for safer sex and the skills to achieve this. The text is intended as a manual with relevant diagrams and exercises. The book is completed with the inclusion of lists of useful organisations and further reading in three appendices. Some nursing libraries may find this book useful, however, the authors state that the book is aimed at individuals who wish to understand the meaning of safer sex and acquire the associated skills. ALISONEWHILE BSc MSc PhD RGN RHV
AIDS: Psychiatric and Psychosocial Perspectives
L Paine Ed. Croom Helm 1988 92pp Illus ISBN o-7099-5605-3
$16.95
This hardback is a compilation of papers presented at the conference in 1987 entitled ‘Psychiatric and Psychosocial Aspects of AIDS and Related Conditions’.
357
However, while accepting that the emergence of AIDS will have a profound effect upon health care and that health professionals need to have more information pertaining to the psychiatric and psychosocial aspects, I found this book rather disappointing. It is rather expensive and on the whole the papers are limited and none include references or suggested further reading. That said, it may be the only book of its kind at the present. ALISONE WHILE BSc MSc PhD RGN RHV
The Primacy of Caring
P Benner &J Wrubel Addison-Wesley 1988 425pp ISBN 0-201-12002-X
f22.45
Primacy of Caring might be considered a sequel to one of the authors’ (Benner) previous books: From Novice to Expert. It is not essential that the reader should be familiar with the earlier book, because old ground is covered again, and indeed is developed further. More specifically, it describes an approach to individualised care derived from grounded theory - not easily defined - but where expert knowledge and skills are developed as a result of ‘being there’. Nurses are given insights into a practice of nursing in which caring is the primary feature. I do recommend the book to readers, but I wonder if it is the best medium to persuade nurses to practise the primacy approach. Readers will know what I mean when I say the book is ‘American’ and, therefore, includes terminology and concepts which sit uncomfortably in UK nursing contexts. Having said that, it has an excellent glossary and index, it is well referenced, and is relatively inexpensive for the quality and quantity. KEITHHURST RGN DipN RCNT RNT CertEd
Towards a Science of Family Nursing C L Gilliss et al.
Addison-Wesley 1988 5Olpp Illus
ISBN o-201-14238-4
240.45
Very few nursing textbooks cross the barriers of medical classification. Towards a Science of Family Nursing is one that achieves this objective. By collation, reference and discussion of relevant research the authors address such questions as: ‘What is family nursing?‘, ‘Family life in the 21st century’, ‘The Perinatal family’, ‘Child Day care for healthy younger families’, ‘The family and chronic illness’ and ‘Alzheimer’s disease and the family’. These examples are a cross section from the 29 chapters that this text covers. It is an academic book, not intended for the casual reader. A serious nursing student would find it a valuable asset in the reference section of their nursing
F H Nichols 8c S Smith Humenick Saunders 1988 586pp Illus ISBN O-7216-2052-3
di2 1.95
Any teacher of expectant parents or those preparing others for this role will be attracted by this title. It is a joy to find a book in which practice is shown throughout to evolve from research findings and in turn to generate more research. In reviewing the book I became totally immersed in the detail of many sections, even to the extent of trying out the relaxation exercises! The contents are extensive, ranging from Philosophy and Sexuality to Acupressure and Promotion of wellness - information packed from cover to cover. Contributors form an impressive all American list, the text is divided into logical sections and each chapter has the same format of: Introduction - Review of the Literature - Implications for Practice - Implications for Research - Summary. The references are extensive and mainly American but do include some of European origin. Too large to be a pocket book but an asset to the book shelves of childbirth educators and nursing/midwifery libraries. Very fairly priced for the quality of the book and the wealth of content. ROSEMARYDSMITH SRN SCM MTD
Safer Sex P Gordon & L Mitchell Faber 1988 14lpp Illus ISBN o-571-151698-8
f3.95
This short paperback explores the area of sexual expression in the era of AIDS and HIV infection. In particular the book focuses upon the potential for safer sex and the skills to achieve this. The text is intended as a manual with relevant diagrams and exercises. The book is completed with the inclusion of lists of useful organisations and further reading in three appendices. Some nursing libraries may find this book useful, however, the authors state that the book is aimed at individuals who wish to understand the meaning of safer sex and acquire the associated skills. ALISONEWHILE BSc MSc PhD RGN RHV
AIDS: Psychiatric and Psychosocial Perspectives
L Paine Ed. Croom Helm 1988 92pp Illus ISBN o-7099-5605-3
$16.95
This hardback is a compilation of papers presented at the conference in 1987 entitled ‘Psychiatric and Psychosocial Aspects of AIDS and Related Conditions’.
357
However, while accepting that the emergence of AIDS will have a profound effect upon health care and that health professionals need to have more information pertaining to the psychiatric and psychosocial aspects, I found this book rather disappointing. It is rather expensive and on the whole the papers are limited and none include references or suggested further reading. That said, it may be the only book of its kind at the present. ALISONE WHILE BSc MSc PhD RGN RHV
The Primacy of Caring
P Benner &J Wrubel Addison-Wesley 1988 425pp ISBN 0-201-12002-X
f22.45
Primacy of Caring might be considered a sequel to one of the authors’ (Benner) previous books: From Novice to Expert. It is not essential that the reader should be familiar with the earlier book, because old ground is covered again, and indeed is developed further. More specifically, it describes an approach to individualised care derived from grounded theory - not easily defined - but where expert knowledge and skills are developed as a result of ‘being there’. Nurses are given insights into a practice of nursing in which caring is the primary feature. I do recommend the book to readers, but I wonder if it is the best medium to persuade nurses to practise the primacy approach. Readers will know what I mean when I say the book is ‘American’ and, therefore, includes terminology and concepts which sit uncomfortably in UK nursing contexts. Having said that, it has an excellent glossary and index, it is well referenced, and is relatively inexpensive for the quality and quantity. KEITHHURST RGN DipN RCNT RNT CertEd
Towards a Science of Family Nursing C L Gilliss et al.
Addison-Wesley 1988 5Olpp Illus
ISBN o-201-14238-4
240.45
Very few nursing textbooks cross the barriers of medical classification. Towards a Science of Family Nursing is one that achieves this objective. By collation, reference and discussion of relevant research the authors address such questions as: ‘What is family nursing?‘, ‘Family life in the 21st century’, ‘The Perinatal family’, ‘Child Day care for healthy younger families’, ‘The family and chronic illness’ and ‘Alzheimer’s disease and the family’. These examples are a cross section from the 29 chapters that this text covers. It is an academic book, not intended for the casual reader. A serious nursing student would find it a valuable asset in the reference section of their nursing