- Email: [email protected]
Action Research in Health Care
272
Action Research in Health Care Blackwell, Oxford 2000 (ISBN 0 632 04091 2). 128 pages by Alison Morton-Cooper £14.99 The focus of this book as described by the author is ‘to provide a practical, concise and yet insightful account of the use of action research methods in healthcare practice’. It is a user-friendly book that is a useful starting point for anyone wishing to identify the advantages and pitfalls of action research. For a book on research it is a refreshing change to note the author’s impassioned view of the need for the research process to be practice-based and linked to improvement in service provision. The layout of the book is clearly explained and well presented with appropriate use of headings and bullet points in order to highlight key issues. There is limited use of tables but where utilised they are relevant. The book achieves its aims in that it provides a practical and concise account of action research. It is, however,
Rehabilitation for Traumatic Brain Injury Physical therapy practice in context Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh 2000 (ISBN 0 443 06131 9). Illus. 260 pages by Maggie Campbell £39.95 This book has been written by a physiotherapist with extensive experience of working with people who have had traumatic brain injury. As the author states, traumatic brain injury can be covered only superficially in multi-pathology texts, and she aims to help readers develop a deeper understanding of the complex nature of traumatic brain injury by writing a book which is focused on this single pathology. The book is divided into four sections. The first provides extensive information about what traumatic brain injury is, and its effects on individuals and their families. The second section discusses the assessment process, how physiotherapists can contribute to global assessment, and the need to include assessment of sensory function as well as motor function. The third section is concerned with designing interventions and the cognitive, behavioural and individual influences on that process. The final section discusses the nature and status of rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury. Each section is clearly set out and includes illustrative clinical examples. The book is well referenced with references included at the end of each chapter. The book also aims to place physiotherapy practice in the Physiotherapy May 2001/vol 87/no 5
general rather than specific in providing information and those already experienced in qualitative methods may feel it lacks focus. There is limited detail in relation to methodology and analysis and at times its approach appears superficial. While obviously an advocate of action research the author is at pains to point out the limitations and difficulties that can be experienced with this type of methodology. She also pays particular attention to the attributes that a researcher needs to bring to the role in order to be effective. The text is particularly useful for relatively inexperienced researchers -- possibly practitioners or students -- as an introductory text, but would need to be supported by more prescriptive texts once research proceeds. It would be particularly useful for department or university libraries. This book would be an excellent starting point for someone interested in undertaking research in practice who feels the reductionist or qualitative research method is not appropriate. J A Hall MSocSc BSc MCSP DipTP
context of rehabilitation, and argues that physiotherapists need to develop a wider knowledge base, which includes patients’ experience and the work of other colleagues. It is widely accepted that due to the complex nature of traumatic brain injury interdisciplinary teamwork is an important part of the rehabilitation and this book will help physiotherapists to understand the effects of brain injury, their role within the team and the importance of understanding the impact on individuals and their families. The layout of the book makes it easy to read and I found the content very interesting and useful. I think that Maggie Campbell has achieved her aim of placing physiotherapy practice into the context of rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury. She emphasises the importance of understanding the effects of cognitive and behavioural influences on the ability of people with traumatic brain injury to participate in rehabilitation and function in their community. Rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury has been slow to develop and there is little specific postgraduate training for physiotherapists. Physiotherapists are striving to base their practice on the best evidence, although there is little published evidence on the effects of neurophysiotherapy following traumatic brain injury. This book will enable physiotherapists of all levels to increase their knowledge of the effects of traumatic brain injury, and help other healthcare professionals who wish to increase their understanding of physiotherapy practice in this area. Gail Griffiths MCSP
Action Research in Health Care Blackwell, Oxford 2000 (ISBN 0 632 04091 2). 128 pages by Alison Morton-Cooper £14.99 The focus of this book as described by the author is ‘to provide a practical, concise and yet insightful account of the use of action research methods in healthcare practice’. It is a user-friendly book that is a useful starting point for anyone wishing to identify the advantages and pitfalls of action research. For a book on research it is a refreshing change to note the author’s impassioned view of the need for the research process to be practice-based and linked to improvement in service provision. The layout of the book is clearly explained and well presented with appropriate use of headings and bullet points in order to highlight key issues. There is limited use of tables but where utilised they are relevant. The book achieves its aims in that it provides a practical and concise account of action research. It is, however,
Rehabilitation for Traumatic Brain Injury Physical therapy practice in context Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh 2000 (ISBN 0 443 06131 9). Illus. 260 pages by Maggie Campbell £39.95 This book has been written by a physiotherapist with extensive experience of working with people who have had traumatic brain injury. As the author states, traumatic brain injury can be covered only superficially in multi-pathology texts, and she aims to help readers develop a deeper understanding of the complex nature of traumatic brain injury by writing a book which is focused on this single pathology. The book is divided into four sections. The first provides extensive information about what traumatic brain injury is, and its effects on individuals and their families. The second section discusses the assessment process, how physiotherapists can contribute to global assessment, and the need to include assessment of sensory function as well as motor function. The third section is concerned with designing interventions and the cognitive, behavioural and individual influences on that process. The final section discusses the nature and status of rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury. Each section is clearly set out and includes illustrative clinical examples. The book is well referenced with references included at the end of each chapter. The book also aims to place physiotherapy practice in the Physiotherapy May 2001/vol 87/no 5
general rather than specific in providing information and those already experienced in qualitative methods may feel it lacks focus. There is limited detail in relation to methodology and analysis and at times its approach appears superficial. While obviously an advocate of action research the author is at pains to point out the limitations and difficulties that can be experienced with this type of methodology. She also pays particular attention to the attributes that a researcher needs to bring to the role in order to be effective. The text is particularly useful for relatively inexperienced researchers -- possibly practitioners or students -- as an introductory text, but would need to be supported by more prescriptive texts once research proceeds. It would be particularly useful for department or university libraries. This book would be an excellent starting point for someone interested in undertaking research in practice who feels the reductionist or qualitative research method is not appropriate. J A Hall MSocSc BSc MCSP DipTP
context of rehabilitation, and argues that physiotherapists need to develop a wider knowledge base, which includes patients’ experience and the work of other colleagues. It is widely accepted that due to the complex nature of traumatic brain injury interdisciplinary teamwork is an important part of the rehabilitation and this book will help physiotherapists to understand the effects of brain injury, their role within the team and the importance of understanding the impact on individuals and their families. The layout of the book makes it easy to read and I found the content very interesting and useful. I think that Maggie Campbell has achieved her aim of placing physiotherapy practice into the context of rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury. She emphasises the importance of understanding the effects of cognitive and behavioural influences on the ability of people with traumatic brain injury to participate in rehabilitation and function in their community. Rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury has been slow to develop and there is little specific postgraduate training for physiotherapists. Physiotherapists are striving to base their practice on the best evidence, although there is little published evidence on the effects of neurophysiotherapy following traumatic brain injury. This book will enable physiotherapists of all levels to increase their knowledge of the effects of traumatic brain injury, and help other healthcare professionals who wish to increase their understanding of physiotherapy practice in this area. Gail Griffiths MCSP