- Email: [email protected]
Preventing Disability in Leprosy Patients
Preventing Disability in Leprosy Patients, by Jean M Watson OBE FCSP HT. The Leprosy Mission International, 8 0 Windmill Road, Brentford, Middlesex T W 8 OQH, 1988 (ISBN 0 902731 2 4 6). Illus. 116 pages. €1.50. Essential Action t o Minimise Disability in Leprosy Patients, by Jean M Watson OBE FCSP HT. The Leprosy Mission International, 8 0 Windmill Road, Brentford, Middlesex T W 8 OQH, 1986 (ISBN 0 902731 2 5 4). Illus. 3 2 pages. Free, b u t donation appreciated.
'Don't worry, 1'11 show you how it goes' Working Together Towards Independence: Guide lines for non-teaching assistants working with children with physical disabilities, by Judith Male and Jean Ward. The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR), 25 Mortimtr Street, London W1N 8AB. 1987 (ISBN 0 9 0 0 2 7 0 446). Illus. 36 pages. f l , plus 20p postage. This handbook is written primarily for nonteaching assistants (NTAs) working among children with physical disabilities. The aim is to help clarify their role and t o describe some of the tasks they may be asked to carry out. The authors feel the potential of NTAs is not fully utilised because of the general lack of information and training available t o them. There are four main sub-sections, one of these being devoted to listing the tasks in which NTAs are most frequently involved, together with many useful practical ideas. The other sections are involved w i t h outlining their role within the classroom and
The Hand: Principles and Techniques of Splintmaking, by Nathalie Barr and Diana Swan. Butterworth, London, 2nd edition (ISBN 0 4 0 7 0 0 5 7 7 3). Illus. 2 0 9 pages. €16. This book presents the principles and rationale of s p l i n t m a k i n g f o r t h e inexperienced therapist, a difficult but essential skill for the hand therapist. Originally published in 1975, it has been updated and expanded. Both authors are acknowledged experts in this field. The book is divided into t w o sections: the first and shorter part deals w i t h the principles, t h e second w i t h detailed discussion of the techniques. The text is concise and clear w i t h good illustrations. The lists of references and the appendices provide a very useful source for anyone
other people w i t h w h o m they may have t o liaise. When t o take risks, matters of behaviour, and independence training are among useful points raised. Various d i f f i c u l t i e s t h a t c a n face NTAs are recognised and mentioned, such as their o w n attitudes t o children with w h o m they are involved and those of other people. Three useful appendices are at the end of the booklet containing descriptions of other people in the 'team', some useful names and addresses and ideas for physical education activities. Of necessity many subjects are covered only briefly and it is felt some points would require further explanation. It is also felt the description of the role of the physiotherapist is somewhat misleading. However this attractive and well-produced booklet with its entertaining and appropriate line drawings will prove t o be a most helpful guide t o any NTA and others working w i t h physically disabled children. GlLLlAN RILEY MCSP
interested in developing their knowledge. There is a particularly comprehensive chapter guiding one on the splinting materials available, w i t h an excellent appendix of the suppliers. The details on making a pattern w i t h practical exercises should be a part of all undergraduate physiotherapists' experience as this is the key t o a successful splint. This is a very useful book that certainly achieves its objectives. It would be a helpful addition t o all departments dealing w i t h splintmaking, and also t o all physiotherapy school libraries. It does not provide standard designs for splints but instead shows the therapist a methodical approach t o solving the individual problems and needs of each patient. BRIDGET ELLIS MCSP
Finished splint. Note the static support for the wrist enabling dynamic effort to be concentrated at the metacarpophalangeal joints
physiotherapy, February 1989, vol 75, no 2
Miss Watson was last year awarded a Fellowship by the Chartered Society in recognition of her innovatory and unique work in establishing the physiotherapeutic approach t o the management of patients w i t h leprosy. This excellent manual and its companion booklet reprinting the main 'action' sections of the manual are evidence t o justify the correctness of the Society's action in bestowing the award. The author sets out t o show that by careful assessment, recording and teaching of patients in the early stages of Hansen's disease, deformity and blindness are preventable. Even in patients w i t h established deformity and permanent nerve damage, further problems are avoidable by establishing a life-long habit of self-care. The purpose of each chapter is stated under the chapter heading and the book proceeds logically from causes of disability; setting u p a reliable assessment and record system,
Prepared to help out-patients practise needed self-care w i t h examples of record cards; and h o w t o recognise 'at risk' patients. There then follow very practical chapters on caring for the eyes, hands and feet and on teaching methods. A useful section on further reading concludes the book. The manual is aimed at t w o groups health workers and medical staff already skilled in the management of leprosy control programmes. While both groups should find the manual valuable, the simple language, clear layout and helpful illustrations will be particularly useful for health workers whose first language is not English. This eminently practical manual and accompanying booklet, while not replacing the need for further in-depth reading, would be a most helpful addition t o the bookshelf of any physiotherapist planning t o take part in a leprosy control programme. BRENDA WILLIAMS MCSP
131
'Don't worry, 1'11 show you how it goes' Working Together Towards Independence: Guide lines for non-teaching assistants working with children with physical disabilities, by Judith Male and Jean Ward. The Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation (RADAR), 25 Mortimtr Street, London W1N 8AB. 1987 (ISBN 0 9 0 0 2 7 0 446). Illus. 36 pages. f l , plus 20p postage. This handbook is written primarily for nonteaching assistants (NTAs) working among children with physical disabilities. The aim is to help clarify their role and t o describe some of the tasks they may be asked to carry out. The authors feel the potential of NTAs is not fully utilised because of the general lack of information and training available t o them. There are four main sub-sections, one of these being devoted to listing the tasks in which NTAs are most frequently involved, together with many useful practical ideas. The other sections are involved w i t h outlining their role within the classroom and
The Hand: Principles and Techniques of Splintmaking, by Nathalie Barr and Diana Swan. Butterworth, London, 2nd edition (ISBN 0 4 0 7 0 0 5 7 7 3). Illus. 2 0 9 pages. €16. This book presents the principles and rationale of s p l i n t m a k i n g f o r t h e inexperienced therapist, a difficult but essential skill for the hand therapist. Originally published in 1975, it has been updated and expanded. Both authors are acknowledged experts in this field. The book is divided into t w o sections: the first and shorter part deals w i t h the principles, t h e second w i t h detailed discussion of the techniques. The text is concise and clear w i t h good illustrations. The lists of references and the appendices provide a very useful source for anyone
other people w i t h w h o m they may have t o liaise. When t o take risks, matters of behaviour, and independence training are among useful points raised. Various d i f f i c u l t i e s t h a t c a n face NTAs are recognised and mentioned, such as their o w n attitudes t o children with w h o m they are involved and those of other people. Three useful appendices are at the end of the booklet containing descriptions of other people in the 'team', some useful names and addresses and ideas for physical education activities. Of necessity many subjects are covered only briefly and it is felt some points would require further explanation. It is also felt the description of the role of the physiotherapist is somewhat misleading. However this attractive and well-produced booklet with its entertaining and appropriate line drawings will prove t o be a most helpful guide t o any NTA and others working w i t h physically disabled children. GlLLlAN RILEY MCSP
interested in developing their knowledge. There is a particularly comprehensive chapter guiding one on the splinting materials available, w i t h an excellent appendix of the suppliers. The details on making a pattern w i t h practical exercises should be a part of all undergraduate physiotherapists' experience as this is the key t o a successful splint. This is a very useful book that certainly achieves its objectives. It would be a helpful addition t o all departments dealing w i t h splintmaking, and also t o all physiotherapy school libraries. It does not provide standard designs for splints but instead shows the therapist a methodical approach t o solving the individual problems and needs of each patient. BRIDGET ELLIS MCSP
Finished splint. Note the static support for the wrist enabling dynamic effort to be concentrated at the metacarpophalangeal joints
physiotherapy, February 1989, vol 75, no 2
Miss Watson was last year awarded a Fellowship by the Chartered Society in recognition of her innovatory and unique work in establishing the physiotherapeutic approach t o the management of patients w i t h leprosy. This excellent manual and its companion booklet reprinting the main 'action' sections of the manual are evidence t o justify the correctness of the Society's action in bestowing the award. The author sets out t o show that by careful assessment, recording and teaching of patients in the early stages of Hansen's disease, deformity and blindness are preventable. Even in patients w i t h established deformity and permanent nerve damage, further problems are avoidable by establishing a life-long habit of self-care. The purpose of each chapter is stated under the chapter heading and the book proceeds logically from causes of disability; setting u p a reliable assessment and record system,
Prepared to help out-patients practise needed self-care w i t h examples of record cards; and h o w t o recognise 'at risk' patients. There then follow very practical chapters on caring for the eyes, hands and feet and on teaching methods. A useful section on further reading concludes the book. The manual is aimed at t w o groups health workers and medical staff already skilled in the management of leprosy control programmes. While both groups should find the manual valuable, the simple language, clear layout and helpful illustrations will be particularly useful for health workers whose first language is not English. This eminently practical manual and accompanying booklet, while not replacing the need for further in-depth reading, would be a most helpful addition t o the bookshelf of any physiotherapist planning t o take part in a leprosy control programme. BRENDA WILLIAMS MCSP
131