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Book Reviews: Crucial decisions at the beginning of life
Reviews
Book Reviews Child protection in primary care J Polnay (ed) Radcliffe 2001 ISBN 1 85775 224 4 £17.95 Child Protection is everybody’s responsibility. This very valuable and informative book is directed at informing staff of their responsibilities when they encounter child protection issues. The text guides and explains the legal framework which surrounds child protection, it takes the professional through the actions which must be taken when concerns are identified: ‘who must be informed’ and why’. The book was written by a general practitioner with the primary care team in mind, however, don’t be put off by the title of the book, as I feel that the guidance offered would be easily adapted to fit in with other areas of work and in particular A&E departments. As a senior nurse in child protection who works closely with A&E staff I would recommend this book to be used as a guide to the multidiciplinary team, who are very experienced at what they do. However the work of child protection is changing rapidly and this text will help keep practitioners abreast of new DOH guidance. There are valuable contributions from different agencies involved with safeguarding children. Case reviews are used which help to explain the process and outcomes of child protection intervention. The author has succeeded in bridging a gap by providing a readable useful guide to child protection law and procedure. It also outlines the importance of working together as professionals to safeguard children. This book is a valuable addition to the child protection literature already available and will compliment any professional’s learning. Priced at £17.95, it is an affordable book. Norma Pendriss Senior Nurse Child Protection A&E Dept. Leeds General Infirmary, UK doi: 10.1054/aaen.2001.0301, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
The care assistant’s portfolio. A national programme of open learning for health care assistants Sue & Chris Brett Martello Training Radcliffe Medical Press 2001: Price for 3 parts: £120
As recruitment and retention within A&E and the NHS as a whole continues to provide many challenges, the provision of care by unregistered nurses is increasingly significant. Greater links are being forged between vocational training organizations and pre-registration nurse education. Through these links it is envisaged that direct pathways from care assistant roles to qualifying as a registered nurse will be created. Nurses with the appropriate vocational qualifications are able to ‘fast-track’ through diploma training programmes, which they could complete in 2 years. Care assistant training has increased dramatically both locally and nationally as a reflection of this. The Care Assistant’s Portfolio is an open learning package designed for those involved in caring in hospitals, nursing homes and community environments. It is presented ring-bound in three parts. Each part comprises a collection of workbooks under the themes; people, protection and care. There are 28 workbooks in total, which comprehensively provide a foundation for care assistant training and development. All the mandatory and optional units of NVQ Level 2 are included and its structure allows for the easy collection of evidence of knowledge. Confidentiality, moving and handling, food and drink, pain and discomfort are just some examples of the workbooks all of which, in my opinion, are directly relevant to caring in an A&E environment. Each workbook contains several activities and is often structured around examples of different patient scenarios to illustrate the subject area. The workbooks prompt the care assistant to find out information in their own areas, reflect on clinical situations and problem-solve. Those using the programme require a mentor to support them through the process and at the end of each part a 500-word assignment has to be completed. After the successful completion of each part a Health Care Assistant (HCA) certificate is awarded by Radcliffe Medical Press. The programme could be used easily in groups or by individuals and it appears to be transferable across the whole spectrum of health and social care. The Care Assistant’s Portfolio is comprehensive and flexible; it is based on adult learning principles and encourages the participants to be self-directed. It would be a good foundation for carers in A&E, not only because its content is appropriate but also because its structure promotes the concept of life-long learning. After having developed care assistant training in A&E, this programme could have saved me a lot of time and energy. My concerns centre around the award of an HCA certificate, which may be misleading in terms of its currency. How this programme fits with existing NVQ schemes would also need careful exploration locally. The work required for this programme is extensive and how directly transferable it is, could be open to dispute. Those thinking of embarking on a
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Book reviews
programme of this nature should, in my opinion, discuss with their local vocational training organization, exactly how a completed portfolio can be used to obtain the nationally recognized NVQ qualification. Paula O’Gara RN, RSCN, BSc, Hons, A&E Lecturer Practitioner doi: 10.1054/yaaen.2001.0328, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Measuring disease (2nd edition) Ann Bowling Open University Press 2001 ISBN: 0-335-20641-7 PB £25 ISBN: 0-335-20642-5 HB £65 On first inspection, I didn’t think this book had much to offer ‘shop-floor’emergency nurses, but when considered from a broader emergency care perspective, it may well have a contribution to make. The book reviews the key literature on quality of life and symptom measurement scales and is organized into disease-specific chapters. Much of the content relates to chronic diseases and, as such, this may be relevant for settings such as Walk-in Centres. The chapter on ‘Psychiatric Conditions and Psychological Morbidity’ would undoubtedly have a contribution to make in A&E settings such as self-harm follow-up clinics. Other chapters on conditions that can present as an emergency include respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological. Whilst no specific reference is made to quality of life after trauma or minor injury, several of the general sociological measurement scales may apply to these areas. To summarize, this book may have something to offer A&E nurses with specialist roles but would certainly be a valuable resource for nurses in specialisms such as palliative/cancer care, renal, mental health and chronic respiratory/cardiovascular care. lan Wood, Lecturer MA, RN, DipN(Lond), ENB 199, Department of Nursing & Midwifery, The Covert, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK doi: 10.1054/yaaen.2001.0329, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Action research in health and social care R. Winter, C. Munn-Giddings Routledge 2001 ISBN 0 415 22484 PB £15.99 ISBN 0 415 22483 7 £50 HB The authors of this book define action research as ‘the study of a social situation carried out by those involved
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in that situation, in order to improve both their practice and the quality of their understanding’. For those nurses involved in bedside patient care and not directly involved with research, the model of action research may heighten their interest. Traditional research involves a team of outside investigators studying a subject area. Action research involves the very people who are actually doing the daily work. The challenge with action research is finding the time and resources to do the research while still carrying out the daily work tasks and duties. It is especially important to read the Preface and Introduction of this book. Both these sections guide the reader through the best ways to use the book. The word ‘handbook’ in the title does suggest a practical component. Of the four parts of the book, Part 3 is the actual practical guide to undertaking an action research project. The other three sections are more academic oriented. Many examples of action research projects are provided throughout the book, however, none are directly related to bedside A&E Nursing. As the target audience for this book is managers, service-users, staff workers and educators involved in health care and community development, this book will be of most interest to those A&E nurses who are involved with teaching, management, and who are interested in participating in an action research project. Carole Rush, RN, MEd, CEN, Injury Prevention and Emergency Staff Nurse, Calgary Health Region, Calgary, Alberta, Canada doi: 10.1054/yaaen.2001.0330, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Crucial decisions at the beginning of life H.E. McHaffie Radcliffe 2001 ISBN 1 85775 479 4 PB £35.00 The author conducted semi-structured interviews with 108 parents who have experienced the withdrawal of treatment from their children. Paediatric and neonatal nurses along with midwives will be interested in the comments made by the parents in respect to different areas of their practice, including the way bad news is conveyed, timing of decision-making and suggestions to improve service amongst others. These interviews took place at 3 months and 13 months following the death of their child. The first chapters deal with the methodology of the study while the remainder of the text recounts the lived experiences of those parents involved in the study. From these experiences the author concludes with recommendations for practice, education, management and research which aim to improve practice and outcomes for both child and parents. Nurses at all levels can draw from these recommendations.
Book reviews
The reader will find this a very detailed book and it will take time to absorb all the findings of this study, but it will heighten the awareness of all health care professionals involved in the care of sick children and their parents. Nurses working in A&E will find some aspects of this book interesting, in particular aspects relating to the communication of bad news to parents but overall this book will be of more relevance to those working in ICU, HDU & SCBU. Ciaran Conlon RGN, RSCN, HDip, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin doi: 10.1054/yaaen.2001.0331, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
On death, dying and not dying Peter Houghton Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2001 ISBN 1 84310 020 7 PB £9.95
As a manager, I found the content of the book relevant to my own experience and feel that the author has produced a well-balanced view of the strengths of evidence-based management and the obstacles that may be associated with trying to use the approach. The author encourages you to reflect on how you are currently functioning within your role and describes how to begin to ‘manage’ your own job. It is easy to link the principles in the book with those of evidence-based medicine and as a manager with a clinical background this helped me understand the individual elements of evidence-based management more easily. Rosemary Stewart has produced a useful text for any health professional that might be considering a management position in the near future as well as those already in management posts. The author has produced a book that I believe will act as a useful reference text in health care for some time to come. Sylvia Knight RGN, MA, Clinical Services Manager A&E, Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Books about dying can be a heavy read – but don’t let that put you off this one. With humour and much insight, Peter Houghton explores his own encounter with death due to cardiomyopathy. He was working as a counsellor in palliative care, so had to confront many issues about dying from a non-theoretical or professionally detached perspective this time. There are plenty of books by professionals telling you about dying and how to deal with it. The advantages of this story are that it is very personal – there is little scholarly exploration here or heavy reliance upon substantive referencing. Peter managed to hold death at bay and 6 months later was still alive to write this eminently readable book. Next time you think a good textbook or course about dying will tell you what you need to know, remember to add this to your reading list. This touching story will teach you much. Prof. S.G. Wright FRCN, MBE, St Martin’s College/Sacred Space Foundation doi: 10.1054/yaaen.2001.0332, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Evidence-based management – a practical guide for health professionals Rosemary Stewart Radcliffe Medical Press, 2001 ISBN 1857754581 PB £18.95 Evidence-Based Management – a Practical Guide for Health Professionals explores why and how managers within the NHS should practice evidence-based management. The author has succeeded in producing a book that provides both a quick reference tool and the underpinning theory for people who have an interest in practising evidence-based management.
doi: 10.1054/yaaen.2002.0340, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Principles & practice of travel medicine Edited by Jane N. Zuckerman Wiley 2001 ISBN 0 471 49079 2 HB £150.00 Travel medicine has emerged as a new and important clinical specialty, which is increasingly relevant to Accident and Emergency practice. The millions who travel between countries each year have affected the scope and variation of the conditions we see in A&E. Almost any place in the world can now be reached within 24–36 hours, which is less than the incubation period for most infectious diseases. Few A&E staff will have had training in tropical medicine and in diseases and hazards outside their own environment. Travel medicine extends beyond tropical medicine, though, to include exposure to new environments, cultures and hazards ranging from high altitude and deep sea environments, to problems of cosmic radiation and space travel; emerging and re-emerging infections; safe food, safe water; safe clothing; natural and accidental disasters; and issues like jet lag, fear of flying, air rage and tourist risk of violence. Several chapters will be of particular interest to A&E staff including fitness to travel; travellers’ diarrhoea; returned travellers; aeromedical repatriation and the final section IV on Practical Issues for Travellers including children, women, the immune-compromised, elderly, chronically sick and disabled along with the health of migrants and refugees. The case histories are particularly useful and interesting. If nothing else, the awareness of travel medicine as a specialty and potential access to specialist advice,
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will reassure those working in A&E, that help is available to care for these, sometimes confusing, groups of patients. Lisa Hadfield-Law, Management Consultant, Oxford, UK doi: 10.1054/yaaen.2002.0341, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Current issues in nursing (6th edition) J M Dochterman, H K Grace St. Louis, Mosby 2001 ISBN 0323012760 PB £31.95 Current Issues in Nursing was developed to examine issues relating to all things nursing, and is now in its’ sixth edition over 20 years. The ideas behind the establishment of the book fit perfectly with its’ intended audience – those in academia, students and lecturers, and any nurse simply wanting to update. The structure of the book facilitates both these readers, setting out multiple viewpoints and a debate chapter in each section, to promote critical thinking for the academic reader. The contents are also clearly defined, with short, snappy chapters for ease of reference. Each section examines a specific field, including governance, changing practice and education, health care systems and costs. The breadth of coverage of nursing issues is the book’s main strength, alongside the insight it provides into the American health care system. It examines management, financial and academic arrangements, as well as the changing role of the nurse. However, this also highlights the book’s weakness – its relevance outside the US is restricted. At first glance the issues tackled seemed identical to those for the British nurse, and I’m sure world-wide, but the text only compounds the differences both in the systems of health provision and in nursing itself. However, the book did help in my understanding of the American system of health care and of nurse preparation, and some of the chapters were much more generic, e.g. benchmarking and leadership. Others were simply relevant to all, especially the International Nursing section, discussing multiple nursing systems. As a general text this book clearly sets out exactly what it aims to achieve, and I can only comment the need for an equivalent text in this country. Heather M. McClelland RGN, MSc, DipHE, PgDip, Practice Development Facilitator, A&E Leeds General Infirmary, U.K. doi: 10.1054/aaen.2002.0345, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
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Accident & emergency nursing Stuart Toulson (Editor) Whurr 2001 ISBN 1-86156-190-3 £24.50 PB It is refreshing to review a book that is written by clinical nurses rather than academics and clearly much time and effort has been expended in writing a book that covers a wide range of presenting complaints and A&E issues. Therein lies the problem with this book; it covers too many subjects in too little depth and with insufficient explanation. In these days of evidence-based practice, many assertions are made about patient management strategies often without evidence to substantiate the statements. On its back cover, the book states that it seeks to provide ‘general nurses at all levels’ with an overview of current A&E practice. If purchased by general nurses, it may succeed in this aim but if you are a new A&E nurse looking for your first A&E book you might like to look elsewhere. Ian Wood MA, RN, DipN(Lond), ENB 199, Lecturer, Keele University, U.K. doi: 10.1054/aaen.2002.0359, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Clinical decision making and judgement in nursing Carl Thompson and Dawn Dowding, (eds.) Churchill Livingstone ISBN 044307076 8 PB £16.95 How an individual constructs and contributes to decision making is referred to in several management and leadership books, but it is refreshing to see authors who have really considered the wider dimensions and implications of decision making on practice. Text regarding clinical decision making is topical and rightly so, as health care professionals must make many decisions in any one day. It is important to understand how our decisions and judgements influence and are influenced by the relationship of contextual issues in practice and this is identified early on in the book. The book is well structured, clear in its presentation and has an introduction to each chapter that includes an identifying content/key issues list, the illustrations are informative and explicit. Equally each chapter is well referenced and includes annotated additional reading that can be useful. There is a broad range of reader involvement with participation in exercises, presenting questions, scenarios for discussion and deliberation that will allow deeper understanding of the processes involved that contribute to the judgements we make on a daily basis. It is useful reading for how experienced and inexperienced nurses make good judgements and
Book reviews
explains and develops the application processes of decision making which influences and identifies at a later stage of how to draw on best evidence for our practice. I was particularly keen to look at Chapter 2 because I feel nurses need to understand how errors can occur in judgement and consequently our decisions. If by understanding this they are able to consider them in the safety of thought and discussion it will help to prevent some errors in practice. In A&E, nurses are required to be involved in several types of decision making which can involve patients, peers, the whole team or a specific team. If individuals can fully understand how to contribute to key decisions, these strategies can be used to enable one to be more professionally effective. Page 77 identifies specific criteria used by nurse practitioners and offers clues for strengthening our assessment skills. The penultimate chapter identifies a comprehensive review of how technology influences decisions. The editors emphasise that the book is meant as an introduction to decision making; in my opinion it is one of the most comprehensive introductions one could read. Annie Jenkin, PGDipEd (Nursing), BSc(Hons), Dip N, RGN, Senior Lecturer in Emergency Care, University of Plymouth, UK doi: 10.1054/aaen.2002.0364, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Fundamental themes in clinical supervision John Cutcliffe, Tony Butterworth & Brigid Proctor (eds.) Routledge – HB 0 415 22886 7 £50 – PB 0 415 22887 5 £16.99 A comprehensive overview of the phenomenon of clinical supervision is given and the book will be valuable study material for the neophyte in this area of nursing practice. The theme is well delineated and emphasizes the role of both the supervisor and supervisee and how important it is for both role players to “buy in” in order to benefit most and to enhance nursing practice through the implementation of clinical supervision. The shared experiences of a variety of clinical specialists in the field of clinical supervision are indeed of great value to the reader and those who have to develop clinical supervision in their field of practice. As an educator, I am most interested in ways to assist nurse practitioners to upgrade the quality of their practice through taking responsibility for their own learning. Clinical supervision seems to be a most beneficial way to achieve this outcome because it is learner-centred. The supervisee is given the opportunity to reflect on her/his nursing practice and
consider alternative means to enhance her practice with the assistance of a supervisor/mentor. Clinical supervision is not practiced widely in South Africa and to my mind should be considered to enhance the quality of nursing care. This book definitely fills a gap in the market and the value of the shared experiences cannot be underestimated. The authors have successfully addressed the fundamental issues in clinical supervision. Ms Marinda Roux, Lecturer: Nursing Science Department, University of Port Elizabeth, South Africa doi: 10.1054/aaen.2002.0368, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
The child protection handbook (2nd ed) Kate Wilson, Adrian James (eds.) Bailliere Tindall 0 7020 2584 4 HB £29.95 All professionals working with children need access to a comprehensive guide to child protection policies and practice. This new edition provides just that and incorporates recent changes and developments in legislation since the Children Act 1989. Staff working in accident and emergency departments and minor injury units may be presented with possible cases of abuse. In these instances, local policies and procedures will be in place for assessment and management. However the pragmatic but analytical A&E nurse will always be left with questions unanswered. I feel this book fills that gap. Chapters have been included from a wide variety of professionals in the field of child protection, thus enabling the reader to see the complete picture from other perspectives. The chapter on child protection and the civil law is particularly well written. It does not merely state the legal provisions but invites the reader to critically analyse current legislation and question government policies regarding child protection. While this new edition includes much revised information on key policy documents such as Working Together to Safeguard Children (1999) and the Framework for Assessment (2000), I am surprised to find the 1991, out of date definitions of child abuse still being used by one of the writers. Although confusing for the less experienced practitioner, this does not detract from the rest of the book which includes very up to date, relevant, and evidence based material. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to any A&E nurse. Anessa Rush, BA Hons, Child Health, RGN, RSCN. Paediatric Liaison Nurse, Accident & Emergency, Leeds General Infirmary. doi: 10.1054/aaen.2002.0369, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Accident and Emergency Nursing ( 2 0 0 2 ) 1 0 , 1 7 9 – 1 8 3 183
Book Reviews Child protection in primary care J Polnay (ed) Radcliffe 2001 ISBN 1 85775 224 4 £17.95 Child Protection is everybody’s responsibility. This very valuable and informative book is directed at informing staff of their responsibilities when they encounter child protection issues. The text guides and explains the legal framework which surrounds child protection, it takes the professional through the actions which must be taken when concerns are identified: ‘who must be informed’ and why’. The book was written by a general practitioner with the primary care team in mind, however, don’t be put off by the title of the book, as I feel that the guidance offered would be easily adapted to fit in with other areas of work and in particular A&E departments. As a senior nurse in child protection who works closely with A&E staff I would recommend this book to be used as a guide to the multidiciplinary team, who are very experienced at what they do. However the work of child protection is changing rapidly and this text will help keep practitioners abreast of new DOH guidance. There are valuable contributions from different agencies involved with safeguarding children. Case reviews are used which help to explain the process and outcomes of child protection intervention. The author has succeeded in bridging a gap by providing a readable useful guide to child protection law and procedure. It also outlines the importance of working together as professionals to safeguard children. This book is a valuable addition to the child protection literature already available and will compliment any professional’s learning. Priced at £17.95, it is an affordable book. Norma Pendriss Senior Nurse Child Protection A&E Dept. Leeds General Infirmary, UK doi: 10.1054/aaen.2001.0301, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
The care assistant’s portfolio. A national programme of open learning for health care assistants Sue & Chris Brett Martello Training Radcliffe Medical Press 2001: Price for 3 parts: £120
As recruitment and retention within A&E and the NHS as a whole continues to provide many challenges, the provision of care by unregistered nurses is increasingly significant. Greater links are being forged between vocational training organizations and pre-registration nurse education. Through these links it is envisaged that direct pathways from care assistant roles to qualifying as a registered nurse will be created. Nurses with the appropriate vocational qualifications are able to ‘fast-track’ through diploma training programmes, which they could complete in 2 years. Care assistant training has increased dramatically both locally and nationally as a reflection of this. The Care Assistant’s Portfolio is an open learning package designed for those involved in caring in hospitals, nursing homes and community environments. It is presented ring-bound in three parts. Each part comprises a collection of workbooks under the themes; people, protection and care. There are 28 workbooks in total, which comprehensively provide a foundation for care assistant training and development. All the mandatory and optional units of NVQ Level 2 are included and its structure allows for the easy collection of evidence of knowledge. Confidentiality, moving and handling, food and drink, pain and discomfort are just some examples of the workbooks all of which, in my opinion, are directly relevant to caring in an A&E environment. Each workbook contains several activities and is often structured around examples of different patient scenarios to illustrate the subject area. The workbooks prompt the care assistant to find out information in their own areas, reflect on clinical situations and problem-solve. Those using the programme require a mentor to support them through the process and at the end of each part a 500-word assignment has to be completed. After the successful completion of each part a Health Care Assistant (HCA) certificate is awarded by Radcliffe Medical Press. The programme could be used easily in groups or by individuals and it appears to be transferable across the whole spectrum of health and social care. The Care Assistant’s Portfolio is comprehensive and flexible; it is based on adult learning principles and encourages the participants to be self-directed. It would be a good foundation for carers in A&E, not only because its content is appropriate but also because its structure promotes the concept of life-long learning. After having developed care assistant training in A&E, this programme could have saved me a lot of time and energy. My concerns centre around the award of an HCA certificate, which may be misleading in terms of its currency. How this programme fits with existing NVQ schemes would also need careful exploration locally. The work required for this programme is extensive and how directly transferable it is, could be open to dispute. Those thinking of embarking on a
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Book reviews
programme of this nature should, in my opinion, discuss with their local vocational training organization, exactly how a completed portfolio can be used to obtain the nationally recognized NVQ qualification. Paula O’Gara RN, RSCN, BSc, Hons, A&E Lecturer Practitioner doi: 10.1054/yaaen.2001.0328, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Measuring disease (2nd edition) Ann Bowling Open University Press 2001 ISBN: 0-335-20641-7 PB £25 ISBN: 0-335-20642-5 HB £65 On first inspection, I didn’t think this book had much to offer ‘shop-floor’emergency nurses, but when considered from a broader emergency care perspective, it may well have a contribution to make. The book reviews the key literature on quality of life and symptom measurement scales and is organized into disease-specific chapters. Much of the content relates to chronic diseases and, as such, this may be relevant for settings such as Walk-in Centres. The chapter on ‘Psychiatric Conditions and Psychological Morbidity’ would undoubtedly have a contribution to make in A&E settings such as self-harm follow-up clinics. Other chapters on conditions that can present as an emergency include respiratory, cardiovascular and neurological. Whilst no specific reference is made to quality of life after trauma or minor injury, several of the general sociological measurement scales may apply to these areas. To summarize, this book may have something to offer A&E nurses with specialist roles but would certainly be a valuable resource for nurses in specialisms such as palliative/cancer care, renal, mental health and chronic respiratory/cardiovascular care. lan Wood, Lecturer MA, RN, DipN(Lond), ENB 199, Department of Nursing & Midwifery, The Covert, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK doi: 10.1054/yaaen.2001.0329, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Action research in health and social care R. Winter, C. Munn-Giddings Routledge 2001 ISBN 0 415 22484 PB £15.99 ISBN 0 415 22483 7 £50 HB The authors of this book define action research as ‘the study of a social situation carried out by those involved
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in that situation, in order to improve both their practice and the quality of their understanding’. For those nurses involved in bedside patient care and not directly involved with research, the model of action research may heighten their interest. Traditional research involves a team of outside investigators studying a subject area. Action research involves the very people who are actually doing the daily work. The challenge with action research is finding the time and resources to do the research while still carrying out the daily work tasks and duties. It is especially important to read the Preface and Introduction of this book. Both these sections guide the reader through the best ways to use the book. The word ‘handbook’ in the title does suggest a practical component. Of the four parts of the book, Part 3 is the actual practical guide to undertaking an action research project. The other three sections are more academic oriented. Many examples of action research projects are provided throughout the book, however, none are directly related to bedside A&E Nursing. As the target audience for this book is managers, service-users, staff workers and educators involved in health care and community development, this book will be of most interest to those A&E nurses who are involved with teaching, management, and who are interested in participating in an action research project. Carole Rush, RN, MEd, CEN, Injury Prevention and Emergency Staff Nurse, Calgary Health Region, Calgary, Alberta, Canada doi: 10.1054/yaaen.2001.0330, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Crucial decisions at the beginning of life H.E. McHaffie Radcliffe 2001 ISBN 1 85775 479 4 PB £35.00 The author conducted semi-structured interviews with 108 parents who have experienced the withdrawal of treatment from their children. Paediatric and neonatal nurses along with midwives will be interested in the comments made by the parents in respect to different areas of their practice, including the way bad news is conveyed, timing of decision-making and suggestions to improve service amongst others. These interviews took place at 3 months and 13 months following the death of their child. The first chapters deal with the methodology of the study while the remainder of the text recounts the lived experiences of those parents involved in the study. From these experiences the author concludes with recommendations for practice, education, management and research which aim to improve practice and outcomes for both child and parents. Nurses at all levels can draw from these recommendations.
Book reviews
The reader will find this a very detailed book and it will take time to absorb all the findings of this study, but it will heighten the awareness of all health care professionals involved in the care of sick children and their parents. Nurses working in A&E will find some aspects of this book interesting, in particular aspects relating to the communication of bad news to parents but overall this book will be of more relevance to those working in ICU, HDU & SCBU. Ciaran Conlon RGN, RSCN, HDip, Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Dublin doi: 10.1054/yaaen.2001.0331, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
On death, dying and not dying Peter Houghton Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2001 ISBN 1 84310 020 7 PB £9.95
As a manager, I found the content of the book relevant to my own experience and feel that the author has produced a well-balanced view of the strengths of evidence-based management and the obstacles that may be associated with trying to use the approach. The author encourages you to reflect on how you are currently functioning within your role and describes how to begin to ‘manage’ your own job. It is easy to link the principles in the book with those of evidence-based medicine and as a manager with a clinical background this helped me understand the individual elements of evidence-based management more easily. Rosemary Stewart has produced a useful text for any health professional that might be considering a management position in the near future as well as those already in management posts. The author has produced a book that I believe will act as a useful reference text in health care for some time to come. Sylvia Knight RGN, MA, Clinical Services Manager A&E, Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Books about dying can be a heavy read – but don’t let that put you off this one. With humour and much insight, Peter Houghton explores his own encounter with death due to cardiomyopathy. He was working as a counsellor in palliative care, so had to confront many issues about dying from a non-theoretical or professionally detached perspective this time. There are plenty of books by professionals telling you about dying and how to deal with it. The advantages of this story are that it is very personal – there is little scholarly exploration here or heavy reliance upon substantive referencing. Peter managed to hold death at bay and 6 months later was still alive to write this eminently readable book. Next time you think a good textbook or course about dying will tell you what you need to know, remember to add this to your reading list. This touching story will teach you much. Prof. S.G. Wright FRCN, MBE, St Martin’s College/Sacred Space Foundation doi: 10.1054/yaaen.2001.0332, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Evidence-based management – a practical guide for health professionals Rosemary Stewart Radcliffe Medical Press, 2001 ISBN 1857754581 PB £18.95 Evidence-Based Management – a Practical Guide for Health Professionals explores why and how managers within the NHS should practice evidence-based management. The author has succeeded in producing a book that provides both a quick reference tool and the underpinning theory for people who have an interest in practising evidence-based management.
doi: 10.1054/yaaen.2002.0340, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Principles & practice of travel medicine Edited by Jane N. Zuckerman Wiley 2001 ISBN 0 471 49079 2 HB £150.00 Travel medicine has emerged as a new and important clinical specialty, which is increasingly relevant to Accident and Emergency practice. The millions who travel between countries each year have affected the scope and variation of the conditions we see in A&E. Almost any place in the world can now be reached within 24–36 hours, which is less than the incubation period for most infectious diseases. Few A&E staff will have had training in tropical medicine and in diseases and hazards outside their own environment. Travel medicine extends beyond tropical medicine, though, to include exposure to new environments, cultures and hazards ranging from high altitude and deep sea environments, to problems of cosmic radiation and space travel; emerging and re-emerging infections; safe food, safe water; safe clothing; natural and accidental disasters; and issues like jet lag, fear of flying, air rage and tourist risk of violence. Several chapters will be of particular interest to A&E staff including fitness to travel; travellers’ diarrhoea; returned travellers; aeromedical repatriation and the final section IV on Practical Issues for Travellers including children, women, the immune-compromised, elderly, chronically sick and disabled along with the health of migrants and refugees. The case histories are particularly useful and interesting. If nothing else, the awareness of travel medicine as a specialty and potential access to specialist advice,
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Book reviews
will reassure those working in A&E, that help is available to care for these, sometimes confusing, groups of patients. Lisa Hadfield-Law, Management Consultant, Oxford, UK doi: 10.1054/yaaen.2002.0341, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Current issues in nursing (6th edition) J M Dochterman, H K Grace St. Louis, Mosby 2001 ISBN 0323012760 PB £31.95 Current Issues in Nursing was developed to examine issues relating to all things nursing, and is now in its’ sixth edition over 20 years. The ideas behind the establishment of the book fit perfectly with its’ intended audience – those in academia, students and lecturers, and any nurse simply wanting to update. The structure of the book facilitates both these readers, setting out multiple viewpoints and a debate chapter in each section, to promote critical thinking for the academic reader. The contents are also clearly defined, with short, snappy chapters for ease of reference. Each section examines a specific field, including governance, changing practice and education, health care systems and costs. The breadth of coverage of nursing issues is the book’s main strength, alongside the insight it provides into the American health care system. It examines management, financial and academic arrangements, as well as the changing role of the nurse. However, this also highlights the book’s weakness – its relevance outside the US is restricted. At first glance the issues tackled seemed identical to those for the British nurse, and I’m sure world-wide, but the text only compounds the differences both in the systems of health provision and in nursing itself. However, the book did help in my understanding of the American system of health care and of nurse preparation, and some of the chapters were much more generic, e.g. benchmarking and leadership. Others were simply relevant to all, especially the International Nursing section, discussing multiple nursing systems. As a general text this book clearly sets out exactly what it aims to achieve, and I can only comment the need for an equivalent text in this country. Heather M. McClelland RGN, MSc, DipHE, PgDip, Practice Development Facilitator, A&E Leeds General Infirmary, U.K. doi: 10.1054/aaen.2002.0345, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
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Accident & emergency nursing Stuart Toulson (Editor) Whurr 2001 ISBN 1-86156-190-3 £24.50 PB It is refreshing to review a book that is written by clinical nurses rather than academics and clearly much time and effort has been expended in writing a book that covers a wide range of presenting complaints and A&E issues. Therein lies the problem with this book; it covers too many subjects in too little depth and with insufficient explanation. In these days of evidence-based practice, many assertions are made about patient management strategies often without evidence to substantiate the statements. On its back cover, the book states that it seeks to provide ‘general nurses at all levels’ with an overview of current A&E practice. If purchased by general nurses, it may succeed in this aim but if you are a new A&E nurse looking for your first A&E book you might like to look elsewhere. Ian Wood MA, RN, DipN(Lond), ENB 199, Lecturer, Keele University, U.K. doi: 10.1054/aaen.2002.0359, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Clinical decision making and judgement in nursing Carl Thompson and Dawn Dowding, (eds.) Churchill Livingstone ISBN 044307076 8 PB £16.95 How an individual constructs and contributes to decision making is referred to in several management and leadership books, but it is refreshing to see authors who have really considered the wider dimensions and implications of decision making on practice. Text regarding clinical decision making is topical and rightly so, as health care professionals must make many decisions in any one day. It is important to understand how our decisions and judgements influence and are influenced by the relationship of contextual issues in practice and this is identified early on in the book. The book is well structured, clear in its presentation and has an introduction to each chapter that includes an identifying content/key issues list, the illustrations are informative and explicit. Equally each chapter is well referenced and includes annotated additional reading that can be useful. There is a broad range of reader involvement with participation in exercises, presenting questions, scenarios for discussion and deliberation that will allow deeper understanding of the processes involved that contribute to the judgements we make on a daily basis. It is useful reading for how experienced and inexperienced nurses make good judgements and
Book reviews
explains and develops the application processes of decision making which influences and identifies at a later stage of how to draw on best evidence for our practice. I was particularly keen to look at Chapter 2 because I feel nurses need to understand how errors can occur in judgement and consequently our decisions. If by understanding this they are able to consider them in the safety of thought and discussion it will help to prevent some errors in practice. In A&E, nurses are required to be involved in several types of decision making which can involve patients, peers, the whole team or a specific team. If individuals can fully understand how to contribute to key decisions, these strategies can be used to enable one to be more professionally effective. Page 77 identifies specific criteria used by nurse practitioners and offers clues for strengthening our assessment skills. The penultimate chapter identifies a comprehensive review of how technology influences decisions. The editors emphasise that the book is meant as an introduction to decision making; in my opinion it is one of the most comprehensive introductions one could read. Annie Jenkin, PGDipEd (Nursing), BSc(Hons), Dip N, RGN, Senior Lecturer in Emergency Care, University of Plymouth, UK doi: 10.1054/aaen.2002.0364, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
Fundamental themes in clinical supervision John Cutcliffe, Tony Butterworth & Brigid Proctor (eds.) Routledge – HB 0 415 22886 7 £50 – PB 0 415 22887 5 £16.99 A comprehensive overview of the phenomenon of clinical supervision is given and the book will be valuable study material for the neophyte in this area of nursing practice. The theme is well delineated and emphasizes the role of both the supervisor and supervisee and how important it is for both role players to “buy in” in order to benefit most and to enhance nursing practice through the implementation of clinical supervision. The shared experiences of a variety of clinical specialists in the field of clinical supervision are indeed of great value to the reader and those who have to develop clinical supervision in their field of practice. As an educator, I am most interested in ways to assist nurse practitioners to upgrade the quality of their practice through taking responsibility for their own learning. Clinical supervision seems to be a most beneficial way to achieve this outcome because it is learner-centred. The supervisee is given the opportunity to reflect on her/his nursing practice and
consider alternative means to enhance her practice with the assistance of a supervisor/mentor. Clinical supervision is not practiced widely in South Africa and to my mind should be considered to enhance the quality of nursing care. This book definitely fills a gap in the market and the value of the shared experiences cannot be underestimated. The authors have successfully addressed the fundamental issues in clinical supervision. Ms Marinda Roux, Lecturer: Nursing Science Department, University of Port Elizabeth, South Africa doi: 10.1054/aaen.2002.0368, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
The child protection handbook (2nd ed) Kate Wilson, Adrian James (eds.) Bailliere Tindall 0 7020 2584 4 HB £29.95 All professionals working with children need access to a comprehensive guide to child protection policies and practice. This new edition provides just that and incorporates recent changes and developments in legislation since the Children Act 1989. Staff working in accident and emergency departments and minor injury units may be presented with possible cases of abuse. In these instances, local policies and procedures will be in place for assessment and management. However the pragmatic but analytical A&E nurse will always be left with questions unanswered. I feel this book fills that gap. Chapters have been included from a wide variety of professionals in the field of child protection, thus enabling the reader to see the complete picture from other perspectives. The chapter on child protection and the civil law is particularly well written. It does not merely state the legal provisions but invites the reader to critically analyse current legislation and question government policies regarding child protection. While this new edition includes much revised information on key policy documents such as Working Together to Safeguard Children (1999) and the Framework for Assessment (2000), I am surprised to find the 1991, out of date definitions of child abuse still being used by one of the writers. Although confusing for the less experienced practitioner, this does not detract from the rest of the book which includes very up to date, relevant, and evidence based material. I have no hesitation in recommending this book to any A&E nurse. Anessa Rush, BA Hons, Child Health, RGN, RSCN. Paediatric Liaison Nurse, Accident & Emergency, Leeds General Infirmary. doi: 10.1054/aaen.2002.0369, available online at http://www.idealibrary.com on
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