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ABC of alcohol (3rd ed)
NURSE EDUCATION
provision of specialised training using an instructor or teacher centred approach. This comment could be seen as less of a criticism of the book and more a fear of how it could be used. I was also disappointed by the photographs and illustrations which were bland, unimaginative and incongruent in a book about such a dynamic subject. ROBERT
UNWIN
Clinical Nurse Specialist, RMN BSc(Hons) Diploma in Therapeutic Community Practice
Clinical Phamacology for Nurses John Trounce & Dinah Gould Churchill Livingstone 1994 333pp illus ISBN 0443-04888-6
512.95
This is the latest edition of this classic text, first published in 1958, and is highly recommended to all nurses. The authors take the reader from basic pharmacological principles in Chapter 1, through to fairly detailed explanations of the actions and clinical implications of most commonly used drugs. There are also chapters on the legal and professional aspects of drug administration - my criticism here is that not enough is made of the use of locally-agreed protocols as a means of extending the role of the nurse. Each chapter concludes with an excellent researchbased reading list, however I believe that references to research should be placed within the text to underpin the information. For example, quite a lot of research has been undertaken by nurses and others surrounding the area of patient ‘compliance’ with medication, but this is not clearly seen to inform any recommendations made regarding helping patients to manage their drug regimes. The style of writing makes the book extremely accessible, and the text is regularly embellished with helpful line drawings. However what makes this text the best of the ‘pharmacology for nurses’ books published in the UK, is the way that the implications for nursing patients on certain drugs are highlighted, and specific points for patient education given prominence. This book really does help to translate the theory of clinical pharmacology into nursing practice, and is a recommended acquisition for every ward, health centre and library. NICKY CULLUM
PhD RGN
ABC of Alcohol (3rd ed) Alex Paton
BMJ 1994
illus ISBN 0-7279-0812-X
27.95
The ABC covers the basic knowledge required tify and help people with alcohol problems.
to iden-
TODAY
349
It is the third edition of a book based on articles published in the BMJ. It presents in a straightforward and uncomplicated way with generous use of illustrations, what the non-specialist needs to know about understanding and managing alcohol problems. It does this by discussing research, current thinking and controversies. It is aimed first and foremost at doctors in both a general practice and hospital setting and the approach and tone does reflect this. For example, the section on ‘Detection in Hospital’ focuses on ‘Spotting the Problem Drinker’ through diagnostic features which could be mistaken for symptoms of other complaints. In parts, the ABC comes dangerously close to falling prey to stereotypes: ‘problem drinkers may be spotted by their brash, jocular, overfamiliar manner, inappropriate to the circumstances of a medical consultation ..... .... People of Irish and Scottish descent seem to drink more than the English and to be more prone to physical damage . . . . . ...’ However, this is balanced by a very useful updated section on ‘Wider Issues’ which looks at social and economic factors in alcohol misuse and shows trends in consumption and alcohol-related harm. There is also concise and helpful information to direct the doctor or helper in the sections on ‘Asking the right questions’, ‘Detection in General Practice’, ‘Tools of detection’ and ‘Help: advice’. The section on ‘Help: resources’ is also useful on a broad level but obviously all contacts are national. A greater emphasis on researching local sources of help and alcohol agencies would have been helpful here. HEATHER
TOYNE
Senior Health Promotion Specialist
Career Developments for Nurses Jane Sanderson Scutari Press, London 1992 15Opp ISBN l-871364-92-2
dill.99
The book consists of 31 chapters of varying lengths divided into 3 sections. The sections are developed logically and include a chapter on Post Registration Oooortunities and PREP concluding with useful advice 0; ‘Funding and Financial Assistance for undertaking further study. The author has covered a wide number of opportunities in which career moves may be developed including working in the independent sector. The inclusion of contact addresses and information on compiling a CV makes it a useful as ell as interesting read. The book is more of a mini reference manual full of useful information designed to enable nurses who are at a career crossroads to make a move in the right direction.
provision of specialised training using an instructor or teacher centred approach. This comment could be seen as less of a criticism of the book and more a fear of how it could be used. I was also disappointed by the photographs and illustrations which were bland, unimaginative and incongruent in a book about such a dynamic subject. ROBERT
UNWIN
Clinical Nurse Specialist, RMN BSc(Hons) Diploma in Therapeutic Community Practice
Clinical Phamacology for Nurses John Trounce & Dinah Gould Churchill Livingstone 1994 333pp illus ISBN 0443-04888-6
512.95
This is the latest edition of this classic text, first published in 1958, and is highly recommended to all nurses. The authors take the reader from basic pharmacological principles in Chapter 1, through to fairly detailed explanations of the actions and clinical implications of most commonly used drugs. There are also chapters on the legal and professional aspects of drug administration - my criticism here is that not enough is made of the use of locally-agreed protocols as a means of extending the role of the nurse. Each chapter concludes with an excellent researchbased reading list, however I believe that references to research should be placed within the text to underpin the information. For example, quite a lot of research has been undertaken by nurses and others surrounding the area of patient ‘compliance’ with medication, but this is not clearly seen to inform any recommendations made regarding helping patients to manage their drug regimes. The style of writing makes the book extremely accessible, and the text is regularly embellished with helpful line drawings. However what makes this text the best of the ‘pharmacology for nurses’ books published in the UK, is the way that the implications for nursing patients on certain drugs are highlighted, and specific points for patient education given prominence. This book really does help to translate the theory of clinical pharmacology into nursing practice, and is a recommended acquisition for every ward, health centre and library. NICKY CULLUM
PhD RGN
ABC of Alcohol (3rd ed) Alex Paton
BMJ 1994
illus ISBN 0-7279-0812-X
27.95
The ABC covers the basic knowledge required tify and help people with alcohol problems.
to iden-
TODAY
349
It is the third edition of a book based on articles published in the BMJ. It presents in a straightforward and uncomplicated way with generous use of illustrations, what the non-specialist needs to know about understanding and managing alcohol problems. It does this by discussing research, current thinking and controversies. It is aimed first and foremost at doctors in both a general practice and hospital setting and the approach and tone does reflect this. For example, the section on ‘Detection in Hospital’ focuses on ‘Spotting the Problem Drinker’ through diagnostic features which could be mistaken for symptoms of other complaints. In parts, the ABC comes dangerously close to falling prey to stereotypes: ‘problem drinkers may be spotted by their brash, jocular, overfamiliar manner, inappropriate to the circumstances of a medical consultation ..... .... People of Irish and Scottish descent seem to drink more than the English and to be more prone to physical damage . . . . . ...’ However, this is balanced by a very useful updated section on ‘Wider Issues’ which looks at social and economic factors in alcohol misuse and shows trends in consumption and alcohol-related harm. There is also concise and helpful information to direct the doctor or helper in the sections on ‘Asking the right questions’, ‘Detection in General Practice’, ‘Tools of detection’ and ‘Help: advice’. The section on ‘Help: resources’ is also useful on a broad level but obviously all contacts are national. A greater emphasis on researching local sources of help and alcohol agencies would have been helpful here. HEATHER
TOYNE
Senior Health Promotion Specialist
Career Developments for Nurses Jane Sanderson Scutari Press, London 1992 15Opp ISBN l-871364-92-2
dill.99
The book consists of 31 chapters of varying lengths divided into 3 sections. The sections are developed logically and include a chapter on Post Registration Oooortunities and PREP concluding with useful advice 0; ‘Funding and Financial Assistance for undertaking further study. The author has covered a wide number of opportunities in which career moves may be developed including working in the independent sector. The inclusion of contact addresses and information on compiling a CV makes it a useful as ell as interesting read. The book is more of a mini reference manual full of useful information designed to enable nurses who are at a career crossroads to make a move in the right direction.