- Email: [email protected]
Occupational Medicine
APRIL 1996, VOL 63, NO 4
THE SECOND DECADE Of AIDS: A MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE HANDBOOK Edited by Walter Odets, Michael Shernoff 1994,312~~ $I 9.95 paperback
‘p his book presents vital information about the second decade of AIDS through a series of chapters written by different authors. The authors do not specifically address the disease process of AIDS, but they discuss the different patients who are affected by AIDS. This approach helps readers put a face on AIDS, which is good, because as long as people think of AIDS as someone else’s problem, they will never quite understand the extent of the AIDS epidemic. This book applies more to mental health care providers than to perioperative health care providers, but this does not make the information any less important. The book is composed of 14 chapters, each written by a different health care professional, and focuses on a specific subgroup of AIDS patients. The first chapter serves as an introduction to AIDS and brings readers up to date on the 20-year history of AIDS in America. The remaining chapters discuss many different topics related to populations affected by AIDS. In chapter two, the author focuses on the chemically dependent client and discusses the difficulty of separating the problems of AIDS and chemical dependency. Many times, drug abuse leads to a person’s acquiring HIV,and sometimes an HIV-infected person turns to further chemical dependency to better cope with his or her illness. Chapter three discusses AIDS
in the African American community.The author applies one model of a typical African American with HIV to all African Americans with HIV, which I found offensive. There are African American people diagnosed with HIV who do not fit the model. This chapter would be better suited in combination with chapter five, which does not generalize its information about innercity families affected by AIDS. A later chapter discusses AIDS as it affects the Latino population and presents some of this group’s special needs that should be addressed by health care providers when AIDS is diagnosed. Chapter four is one of the best in the book. It is well written, and it discusses AIDS and the special needs of homosexual couples. This chapter could stand alone as a booklet to help health care providers better understand how to care for homosexual couples affected by HIV or AIDS. Chapter six addresses the special concerns of women with HIV and AIDS. Women have been an overlooked sector of the AIDS population, and they lack the support systems that are available for other patient groups. The remaining chapters discuss methods of counseling patients diagnosed with HIV or A I D S , the grieving process for survivors, and ethical and legal issues. This book is helpful for all health care providers who care for patients diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. This book is available from Hatherleigh Press, 420 E 5th St, New York, NY 10022; (212) 3550882.
OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE, third ed By Carl Zenz, 0.Bruce Dickerson, Edward P . Horvath, Jr I994,1,316pp $1 49 hardcover
T
he term occupational medicine brings to mind industrial medicine and issues such as asbestos and radiation exposures. When I read this book, I discovered that occupational medicine is a vast field, and it includes any employment aspect that could cause illness or injury. The beginning chapters introduce the reader to the basic concepts of occupational medicine. The reader soon discovers that many common employee complaints (eg, coughing, watery eyes, sneezing, headaches) may not be of unknown etiology but may need to be investigated to see whether there is a work-related cause. The workplace includes many hazards, both seen and unseen. Health care professionals who practice occupational medicine help prevent, diagnose, monitor, and treat a multitude of workrelated health problems. This book is designed as a textbook for physicians who are studying occupational medicine; however, it may be useful for any nurse practitioner who is interested in these issues. Included in this edition are discussions on issues such as asthma, ergonomics, biomechanics, and the effects of chemicals, trauma, radiation, temperature, sound, and vibration. The section that discusses chemicals and chemical comCLARENCE FENTON pounds is particularly interesting. RN, BS, CNOR Issues addressed include the comDIRECTOR OF s u ~ o l wSERVICES position of many workplace chemiPARKVIEW HOSFITAL cals, sources of exposure, systemic BRUNSWICK,ME effects of chemicals, toxicity levels, 800 AORN JOURNAL
APRIL 1996, VOL 63, NO 4
for perioperative nurses because the topics that are discussed are also nursing concerns. The book is divided into four sections that each reveal one aspect of empathy. Section one begins with a 16-page historical perspective that is too encumbered with historical data and quotes. Chapters two and three in section one are more interesting in that they contrast the ideas of a holistic advocate with the ideas of a scientific reductionist. Throughout section one, the author makes reference to the controversy of vivisection as a turning point in empathic practice-by dehumanizing subjects in vivisection, the art of caring in medicine becomes the “cold science” of medicine. Section two is full of philosophy and psychology and concentrates on gender roles. The essays warn that an empathic approach may be caring and supportive, but it also can be coercive and intrusive if a health care practitioner tells us how we should feel. One JAMES H. LAUBERT author argues the theory that RN, CNOR empathy is a naturally occumng phenomenon with women. The DIRECTOR OF NURSING SERVICES ENT HEALTH SERVICES,INC author asks, “If empathy is femiNORTH OLMSTEO, OHIO nine, how can we expect men to participate?” Another author interprets and quotes feminists, THE EMPATHIC PRACTITIONER: philosophers, theorists, and psyEMPATHY. GENDER, AND chologists extensively in her MEDICINE Edited by Ellen Singer- More, essay, and she ties in examples of Maureen A. Milligan successful approaches from other 1994,266 p p disciplines as reinforcement to her challenging statements. $18 paperback Contributors to section three his book is an organized collec- consider the challenges to an tion of essays that are written empathetic clinical practice. They almost exclusively by women use the feminist approach of and that explore the practice of empowering patients. The essay empathy in medicine. Although the on listening in this section is one book is written by and for the use of the most practical chapters in of physicians, it has useful insights this book. The author of the essay and carcinogenesis. This section also includes a discussion on the diagnosis, monitoring, prevention, and treatment of chemical exposures. I found it interesting to compare the variability of acceptable toxic substance exposure levels of different countries and of different agencies within the United States. Other topics presented in the book are the role of the occupational health nurse, the diagnosis of absenteeism, and guidelines for establishing drug and alcohol abuse programs in the workplace. This book has an abundance of information, and it contains many pictures, graphs, and tables to enhance the presented information. Occupational medicine is a highly technical and complex specialty, but this book would be a helpful reference for anyone who is concerned about possible safety hazards in their workplace. This book is available from Mosby-Year Book, Inc, 11830 Westline Industrial Dr, St Louis, MO 63146-3318; (800) 826-1877.
T
80 1 AORN JOURNAL
cites an alarming study that found that a majority of physicians listened an average of only 18 seconds to their office patients before interrupting them with their own agenda of questions or advice. The author suggests that we, as health care practitioners, reexamine our distancing of patients and promote our capacity to hear while we are listening. The best chapter is in section four and begins with a clinical anecdote that seems heartwarming but is then analyzed to show different perspectives of the empathic encounter. In this section, political controversies such as the Oregon Plan (ie, rationing of health care and resources) and genderbias research also are explored. One chapter offers insight into the African-American female healer, and the last chapter focuses on the special needs of female medical students. Compiling 13 authors’ works into a cohesive book is a difficult task. The editors and authors use a feminist perspective and a holistic practice approach to interweave these essays for continuity. Dividing the book into sections allows the reader a much needed pause to reflect on the subject matter. Although this book is not for novice perioperative nurses, experienced perioperative nurses easily can use these essays to analyze and possibly refocus their nursing practice and patient interactions. This book is available from Rutgers University Press, 109 Church St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901; (800) 446-9323. DONNA LAGUEUX RN, BS, CNOR STAFF NURSE AMBULATORY SURGERY NEWBRITAIN(CONN)GENERAL HOSPITAL
THE SECOND DECADE Of AIDS: A MENTAL HEALTH PRACTICE HANDBOOK Edited by Walter Odets, Michael Shernoff 1994,312~~ $I 9.95 paperback
‘p his book presents vital information about the second decade of AIDS through a series of chapters written by different authors. The authors do not specifically address the disease process of AIDS, but they discuss the different patients who are affected by AIDS. This approach helps readers put a face on AIDS, which is good, because as long as people think of AIDS as someone else’s problem, they will never quite understand the extent of the AIDS epidemic. This book applies more to mental health care providers than to perioperative health care providers, but this does not make the information any less important. The book is composed of 14 chapters, each written by a different health care professional, and focuses on a specific subgroup of AIDS patients. The first chapter serves as an introduction to AIDS and brings readers up to date on the 20-year history of AIDS in America. The remaining chapters discuss many different topics related to populations affected by AIDS. In chapter two, the author focuses on the chemically dependent client and discusses the difficulty of separating the problems of AIDS and chemical dependency. Many times, drug abuse leads to a person’s acquiring HIV,and sometimes an HIV-infected person turns to further chemical dependency to better cope with his or her illness. Chapter three discusses AIDS
in the African American community.The author applies one model of a typical African American with HIV to all African Americans with HIV, which I found offensive. There are African American people diagnosed with HIV who do not fit the model. This chapter would be better suited in combination with chapter five, which does not generalize its information about innercity families affected by AIDS. A later chapter discusses AIDS as it affects the Latino population and presents some of this group’s special needs that should be addressed by health care providers when AIDS is diagnosed. Chapter four is one of the best in the book. It is well written, and it discusses AIDS and the special needs of homosexual couples. This chapter could stand alone as a booklet to help health care providers better understand how to care for homosexual couples affected by HIV or AIDS. Chapter six addresses the special concerns of women with HIV and AIDS. Women have been an overlooked sector of the AIDS population, and they lack the support systems that are available for other patient groups. The remaining chapters discuss methods of counseling patients diagnosed with HIV or A I D S , the grieving process for survivors, and ethical and legal issues. This book is helpful for all health care providers who care for patients diagnosed with HIV or AIDS. This book is available from Hatherleigh Press, 420 E 5th St, New York, NY 10022; (212) 3550882.
OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE, third ed By Carl Zenz, 0.Bruce Dickerson, Edward P . Horvath, Jr I994,1,316pp $1 49 hardcover
T
he term occupational medicine brings to mind industrial medicine and issues such as asbestos and radiation exposures. When I read this book, I discovered that occupational medicine is a vast field, and it includes any employment aspect that could cause illness or injury. The beginning chapters introduce the reader to the basic concepts of occupational medicine. The reader soon discovers that many common employee complaints (eg, coughing, watery eyes, sneezing, headaches) may not be of unknown etiology but may need to be investigated to see whether there is a work-related cause. The workplace includes many hazards, both seen and unseen. Health care professionals who practice occupational medicine help prevent, diagnose, monitor, and treat a multitude of workrelated health problems. This book is designed as a textbook for physicians who are studying occupational medicine; however, it may be useful for any nurse practitioner who is interested in these issues. Included in this edition are discussions on issues such as asthma, ergonomics, biomechanics, and the effects of chemicals, trauma, radiation, temperature, sound, and vibration. The section that discusses chemicals and chemical comCLARENCE FENTON pounds is particularly interesting. RN, BS, CNOR Issues addressed include the comDIRECTOR OF s u ~ o l wSERVICES position of many workplace chemiPARKVIEW HOSFITAL cals, sources of exposure, systemic BRUNSWICK,ME effects of chemicals, toxicity levels, 800 AORN JOURNAL
APRIL 1996, VOL 63, NO 4
for perioperative nurses because the topics that are discussed are also nursing concerns. The book is divided into four sections that each reveal one aspect of empathy. Section one begins with a 16-page historical perspective that is too encumbered with historical data and quotes. Chapters two and three in section one are more interesting in that they contrast the ideas of a holistic advocate with the ideas of a scientific reductionist. Throughout section one, the author makes reference to the controversy of vivisection as a turning point in empathic practice-by dehumanizing subjects in vivisection, the art of caring in medicine becomes the “cold science” of medicine. Section two is full of philosophy and psychology and concentrates on gender roles. The essays warn that an empathic approach may be caring and supportive, but it also can be coercive and intrusive if a health care practitioner tells us how we should feel. One JAMES H. LAUBERT author argues the theory that RN, CNOR empathy is a naturally occumng phenomenon with women. The DIRECTOR OF NURSING SERVICES ENT HEALTH SERVICES,INC author asks, “If empathy is femiNORTH OLMSTEO, OHIO nine, how can we expect men to participate?” Another author interprets and quotes feminists, THE EMPATHIC PRACTITIONER: philosophers, theorists, and psyEMPATHY. GENDER, AND chologists extensively in her MEDICINE Edited by Ellen Singer- More, essay, and she ties in examples of Maureen A. Milligan successful approaches from other 1994,266 p p disciplines as reinforcement to her challenging statements. $18 paperback Contributors to section three his book is an organized collec- consider the challenges to an tion of essays that are written empathetic clinical practice. They almost exclusively by women use the feminist approach of and that explore the practice of empowering patients. The essay empathy in medicine. Although the on listening in this section is one book is written by and for the use of the most practical chapters in of physicians, it has useful insights this book. The author of the essay and carcinogenesis. This section also includes a discussion on the diagnosis, monitoring, prevention, and treatment of chemical exposures. I found it interesting to compare the variability of acceptable toxic substance exposure levels of different countries and of different agencies within the United States. Other topics presented in the book are the role of the occupational health nurse, the diagnosis of absenteeism, and guidelines for establishing drug and alcohol abuse programs in the workplace. This book has an abundance of information, and it contains many pictures, graphs, and tables to enhance the presented information. Occupational medicine is a highly technical and complex specialty, but this book would be a helpful reference for anyone who is concerned about possible safety hazards in their workplace. This book is available from Mosby-Year Book, Inc, 11830 Westline Industrial Dr, St Louis, MO 63146-3318; (800) 826-1877.
T
80 1 AORN JOURNAL
cites an alarming study that found that a majority of physicians listened an average of only 18 seconds to their office patients before interrupting them with their own agenda of questions or advice. The author suggests that we, as health care practitioners, reexamine our distancing of patients and promote our capacity to hear while we are listening. The best chapter is in section four and begins with a clinical anecdote that seems heartwarming but is then analyzed to show different perspectives of the empathic encounter. In this section, political controversies such as the Oregon Plan (ie, rationing of health care and resources) and genderbias research also are explored. One chapter offers insight into the African-American female healer, and the last chapter focuses on the special needs of female medical students. Compiling 13 authors’ works into a cohesive book is a difficult task. The editors and authors use a feminist perspective and a holistic practice approach to interweave these essays for continuity. Dividing the book into sections allows the reader a much needed pause to reflect on the subject matter. Although this book is not for novice perioperative nurses, experienced perioperative nurses easily can use these essays to analyze and possibly refocus their nursing practice and patient interactions. This book is available from Rutgers University Press, 109 Church St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901; (800) 446-9323. DONNA LAGUEUX RN, BS, CNOR STAFF NURSE AMBULATORY SURGERY NEWBRITAIN(CONN)GENERAL HOSPITAL