- Email: [email protected]
Professional Writing Skills for Health Care Managers: A practical guide
Hand Injuries: A therapeutic approach, by M I Salter MBE MCSP. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1987 (ISBN 0 443 02984 9).205 pages. €14.95.
Orthopaedic Physical Assessment, by David J Magee PhD. W B Saunders Company, Eastbourne, 1987 (ISBN 0 7216 1855 3).423 pages. €19.95. This well-presented book of over 400 pages aims to provide medical and paramedical students with a systematic approach to orthopaedic assessment. There are 14 chapters beginning with 'Principles and concepts'. The next 11 are divided into the main vertebral and peripheral regions, including the temporomandibular joint. The last t w o chapters outline gait analysis and posture. All sections follow a set format which includes applied anatomy, assessment, useful precis, references and extensive bibliography. The sequence of assessment the author advocates is a familiar one of history, active movement, passive movement, isometric muscle testing, special tests, neurology, accessory movements and palpation. Radiological interpretation follows the clinical examination. Essential aspects are identified and both techniques and interpretation well explained. Unfortunately, the author does not discuss irritability and the subjective examination is biased towards pain always being the presenting problem. More guidance on adapting the assessment for an acute condition would be helpful. The reader is, however, directed towards clinical diagnosis and the book contains a wealth of information which is easily accessed via the index and by virtue of the consistent layout of each chapter. This book has a place both in school and department libraries, where it will be of particular assistance to less experienced physiotherapists.
followed by treatment programmes. Included also are chapters on the frozen shoulder, total shoulder replacement and myofascial dysfunction. Unfortunately, the anatomy of brachial plexus lesion is confusingly written and its treatment inadequately covered (heat, massage and electrotherapy seem to be curative!). A chapter on mobilisation gives an account of the principles of treatment and examples of treatment techniques. It is not a recipe book of treatments. However, l found it t o have a good understanding of the shoulder and some of its problems. Despite its North American origins and consequent leanings, it provides food for thought for any therapist with an interest in shoulder conditions. JANE MATTHEWS MCSP Stress and Self-awareness: A Guide for nurses, by Meg Bond. Heinemann, London, 1986 (ISBN 0 433 03490 41. Illus. 221 pages. f6.95.
This book offers a fresh approach t o the topical issue of stress in nursing with a range of coping mechanisms. The author is an experienced nurse, having worked as a district nurse, health visitor and assistant director of a human potential research project. She has also held workshops on stress in nursing and the information gathered from the participants is a useful inclusion in parts of the book. The first t w o chapters 'Nurses and stress' and 'Understanding emotions' provide an introduction t o the topic. Several different methods of coping w i t h stress are given a chapter each - relaxation, meditation, assertiveness, receiving and giving support, creative problem-solving, exercise, diet and physical health, and transforming stress as JON ALLTREE MCSP a conclusion. The book is extremely well written and prePhysical Therapy of the Shoulder: Clinics in sented w i t h cartoons and regular exercises physical therapy, edited by Robert Donatelli t o stimulate thought and reinforce the M A PT. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, various aspects of stress in work, home and 1987 (ISBN 0 443 08458 0).317 pages. €28. environment. It is refreshing t o find several alternative coping strategies in the one book. The shoulder joint is one of the most I found the chapter on assertiveness most rewarding and most commonly treated interesting, and as a physiotherapist enjoyperipheral joints but is, perhaps, only just beginning t o be understood by the medical ed the aspects of exercise, diet and physical health covered in chapter 8. profession. This book aims to present a review The section on 'Receiving and giving of shoulder function and its dysfunction in a support' I found rather long and at times variety of specific disorders which the difficult t o follow. References and further physiotherapist may be required to treat. There are many contributing authors, each readings were comprehensive and given at regular intervals throughout the book. The writing about their own specialised field. They book closes w i t h an interesting request for present a review of the literature on the topic feedback about the book t o be forwarded to and usually go on to discuss treatment based the author - it would be interesting to know on their clinical experience. They all provide the response t o this request. comprehensive reference lists. Although the book was written for nurses, Shoulder anatomy and examination are covered in the first chapters, and assessment physiotherapists wocld find many parallel is mentioned throughout, specifically related situations. I would recommend this book for a department or unit library and suggest it to each topic. could offer much valuable support to staff at Throwing injuries, hemiplegia and thoracic this particular time. outlet syndrome are well presented with anatomical and biornechanical discussion JENNIFER BROOKS BA MCSP
Physiotherapy, April
1988,vol 74, no 4
This new book, written by a physiotherapist who is an acknowledged expert in the field of physiotherapy treatment of the hand, is primarily for physiotherapists entering the field of specialised hand management, and those encountering hand injuries. The initial chapter outlines the different functions of the hand. Following this, the assessment is described in detail with excellent explanation of this difficult and skillful process. Miss Salter tackles the important areas of functional and work assessment and resettlement. The chapter covering early physiotherapy management describes all aspects of initial treatment emphasising the value of early intervention preventing later complications. The remaining chapters deal in detail with specific conditions including nerve and tendon lesions, amputations, fractures, burns and occupational therapy. The latter t w o chapters have been contributed by different authors. The text of all sections is clear and easy t o follow with many good accompanying illustrations. At the end of each chapter there is a useful reference section and further recommended reading. The final chapter is followed by a comprehensive index. Miss Salter is to be congratulated on producing a comprehensive book that is of great value t o any physiotherapist working in this field and is a vital addition t o the library of any physiotherapy department. The book will act both as a useful reference for assessment of patients and in the treatment of specific injuries. BRIDGET ELLIS MCSP Professional Writing Skills for Health Care Managers: A practical guide, by Health Care Education Associates. Blackwell, Oxford, 1987 (ISBN 0 8016 2123 2). 93 pages. €17. The authors of this book have set out t o produce a self-paced programme of exercises to improve the quality and clarity of written communications for health care managers. There are five sections, each with clear objectives. They cover the writing of memos and letters that will get read and that will be easily understood. There is guidance on writing routine and special letters, including those of good news, bad news and persuasion. The chapter on memos covers memos to staff, memos for the record, and memos outlining recommendations for actions called 'issue memos' in the text. Finally there is a section on editing, correcting and an appendix on punctuation and nonsexist writing. Each section concludes with exercises to test learning and understanding. The book is very easy t o read in that it is well laid out, generously spaced and almost devoid of jargon, which is most refreshing in a publication from the USA. The examples given of good and bad practice are very pertinent to NHS managers. This is a most welcome and useful publication which fills a gap in the manager's library most admirably. It will be of particular help to superintendent and District physiotherapists t o produce simple, well-constructed and clear letters and memos which will be readily understood by those receiving them.
S CLIFTON GradDipPhys MCSP
169
Orthopaedic Physical Assessment, by David J Magee PhD. W B Saunders Company, Eastbourne, 1987 (ISBN 0 7216 1855 3).423 pages. €19.95. This well-presented book of over 400 pages aims to provide medical and paramedical students with a systematic approach to orthopaedic assessment. There are 14 chapters beginning with 'Principles and concepts'. The next 11 are divided into the main vertebral and peripheral regions, including the temporomandibular joint. The last t w o chapters outline gait analysis and posture. All sections follow a set format which includes applied anatomy, assessment, useful precis, references and extensive bibliography. The sequence of assessment the author advocates is a familiar one of history, active movement, passive movement, isometric muscle testing, special tests, neurology, accessory movements and palpation. Radiological interpretation follows the clinical examination. Essential aspects are identified and both techniques and interpretation well explained. Unfortunately, the author does not discuss irritability and the subjective examination is biased towards pain always being the presenting problem. More guidance on adapting the assessment for an acute condition would be helpful. The reader is, however, directed towards clinical diagnosis and the book contains a wealth of information which is easily accessed via the index and by virtue of the consistent layout of each chapter. This book has a place both in school and department libraries, where it will be of particular assistance to less experienced physiotherapists.
followed by treatment programmes. Included also are chapters on the frozen shoulder, total shoulder replacement and myofascial dysfunction. Unfortunately, the anatomy of brachial plexus lesion is confusingly written and its treatment inadequately covered (heat, massage and electrotherapy seem to be curative!). A chapter on mobilisation gives an account of the principles of treatment and examples of treatment techniques. It is not a recipe book of treatments. However, l found it t o have a good understanding of the shoulder and some of its problems. Despite its North American origins and consequent leanings, it provides food for thought for any therapist with an interest in shoulder conditions. JANE MATTHEWS MCSP Stress and Self-awareness: A Guide for nurses, by Meg Bond. Heinemann, London, 1986 (ISBN 0 433 03490 41. Illus. 221 pages. f6.95.
This book offers a fresh approach t o the topical issue of stress in nursing with a range of coping mechanisms. The author is an experienced nurse, having worked as a district nurse, health visitor and assistant director of a human potential research project. She has also held workshops on stress in nursing and the information gathered from the participants is a useful inclusion in parts of the book. The first t w o chapters 'Nurses and stress' and 'Understanding emotions' provide an introduction t o the topic. Several different methods of coping w i t h stress are given a chapter each - relaxation, meditation, assertiveness, receiving and giving support, creative problem-solving, exercise, diet and physical health, and transforming stress as JON ALLTREE MCSP a conclusion. The book is extremely well written and prePhysical Therapy of the Shoulder: Clinics in sented w i t h cartoons and regular exercises physical therapy, edited by Robert Donatelli t o stimulate thought and reinforce the M A PT. Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, various aspects of stress in work, home and 1987 (ISBN 0 443 08458 0).317 pages. €28. environment. It is refreshing t o find several alternative coping strategies in the one book. The shoulder joint is one of the most I found the chapter on assertiveness most rewarding and most commonly treated interesting, and as a physiotherapist enjoyperipheral joints but is, perhaps, only just beginning t o be understood by the medical ed the aspects of exercise, diet and physical health covered in chapter 8. profession. This book aims to present a review The section on 'Receiving and giving of shoulder function and its dysfunction in a support' I found rather long and at times variety of specific disorders which the difficult t o follow. References and further physiotherapist may be required to treat. There are many contributing authors, each readings were comprehensive and given at regular intervals throughout the book. The writing about their own specialised field. They book closes w i t h an interesting request for present a review of the literature on the topic feedback about the book t o be forwarded to and usually go on to discuss treatment based the author - it would be interesting to know on their clinical experience. They all provide the response t o this request. comprehensive reference lists. Although the book was written for nurses, Shoulder anatomy and examination are covered in the first chapters, and assessment physiotherapists wocld find many parallel is mentioned throughout, specifically related situations. I would recommend this book for a department or unit library and suggest it to each topic. could offer much valuable support to staff at Throwing injuries, hemiplegia and thoracic this particular time. outlet syndrome are well presented with anatomical and biornechanical discussion JENNIFER BROOKS BA MCSP
Physiotherapy, April
1988,vol 74, no 4
This new book, written by a physiotherapist who is an acknowledged expert in the field of physiotherapy treatment of the hand, is primarily for physiotherapists entering the field of specialised hand management, and those encountering hand injuries. The initial chapter outlines the different functions of the hand. Following this, the assessment is described in detail with excellent explanation of this difficult and skillful process. Miss Salter tackles the important areas of functional and work assessment and resettlement. The chapter covering early physiotherapy management describes all aspects of initial treatment emphasising the value of early intervention preventing later complications. The remaining chapters deal in detail with specific conditions including nerve and tendon lesions, amputations, fractures, burns and occupational therapy. The latter t w o chapters have been contributed by different authors. The text of all sections is clear and easy t o follow with many good accompanying illustrations. At the end of each chapter there is a useful reference section and further recommended reading. The final chapter is followed by a comprehensive index. Miss Salter is to be congratulated on producing a comprehensive book that is of great value t o any physiotherapist working in this field and is a vital addition t o the library of any physiotherapy department. The book will act both as a useful reference for assessment of patients and in the treatment of specific injuries. BRIDGET ELLIS MCSP Professional Writing Skills for Health Care Managers: A practical guide, by Health Care Education Associates. Blackwell, Oxford, 1987 (ISBN 0 8016 2123 2). 93 pages. €17. The authors of this book have set out t o produce a self-paced programme of exercises to improve the quality and clarity of written communications for health care managers. There are five sections, each with clear objectives. They cover the writing of memos and letters that will get read and that will be easily understood. There is guidance on writing routine and special letters, including those of good news, bad news and persuasion. The chapter on memos covers memos to staff, memos for the record, and memos outlining recommendations for actions called 'issue memos' in the text. Finally there is a section on editing, correcting and an appendix on punctuation and nonsexist writing. Each section concludes with exercises to test learning and understanding. The book is very easy t o read in that it is well laid out, generously spaced and almost devoid of jargon, which is most refreshing in a publication from the USA. The examples given of good and bad practice are very pertinent to NHS managers. This is a most welcome and useful publication which fills a gap in the manager's library most admirably. It will be of particular help to superintendent and District physiotherapists t o produce simple, well-constructed and clear letters and memos which will be readily understood by those receiving them.
S CLIFTON GradDipPhys MCSP
169