communication in the nursing context: j c bradley & m a edinberg appleton-century-crofts 1986...

BOOK REVIEWS

Stoma Care Nursing Catherine Elcoat

Baillierc ‘rindall

1986 302pp Illus ISBN: 0-702OG1133-~9 A7.95

Catherine Elcoat has succeeded in writing a compre-

hcnsive and interesting text which should be useful

to nurses from many different areas, including nurse

trachcrs and those directly involved with stoma

patirnts cithcr in hospitals or in the community.

It is based on the content of the ENB Course in

Stoma Care Nursing and contains all essential

material such as anatomy and physiology and types

of appliances. ‘I’hcsc subjects arc dealt with suc-

cinctly to allow more space for discussion on some

csscntial arcas of p,aticnt care, including psycho-

logical considerations. and counsclling. ‘Thr latter

includrs useful advice to specialist and non-specialist

nurses working with patients or their families/

partners. The basic counselling strategy used is

casil!, understood and therefore is more likely to be

remcmbcrrd and applied. Excellent diagrams and

illustrations arc used appropriately to aid under-

standing; the black and white photographs are too

small and lack clarity but the good illustrations and

text compensate adequately.

‘l’he book has two more points in its favour. ‘I‘he

index makrs finding particular information an easy

task. and the ‘suggested reading’ lists at the end of

chaptrrs will be appreciated. Such an excellent text

must bc highly recommended to all nursing personnel

in\-olved in caring for patients with stomas; it should

hc includrd in all nursing school libraries.

A. HILTON

Clinical Teacher

Communication in the Nursing Context J C Bradley & MA Edinberg

Appleton-Century-Crofts

1986 337pp Illus ISBN: O&8385-1219--4

F21.35

I’he most csscntial part of this American publication

is the glossary, which is necessary to enable the

reader (this one at least) to understand some of the

terminology. The initial chapters cover the ground-

work. including communication channels and styles

and the authors then consider many nursing situ-

ations, providing case studies and exercises so that the many facets of communication can bc practised

and explored. The title of the first chapter,

Communication and Nursing Models. I found mis-

leading, as I expected some refercncr to specific

nursing models. instead the only ‘model’ referred to

is the ‘nursing process’!

The text is interspcrscd with a very occasional

cartoon-like line drawing and each chapter begins

with a list of behavioural objectives. ‘l’he method of

presentation of the exercises makes them easily

identifiable. The references at the end of‘ each

chapter are largely American in origin. which could

make further rrading difficult.

‘This is a book for the reference section of the

library rather than for individuals as there arc other

books on practical aspects of communication

available, which are as useful, are written in plainer

English and are certainly less cxpcnsivr.

Learning to Care on the Orthopaedic Ward Danielle Julien

Hoddcr & Stoughton Educational

1986 89pp Illus A2.95

It is not surprising that the Learning to Care series

of books is proving very popular with lrarncrs. and I

see no reason whv this one should br any less

popular than previous titles. The strength of the

series is the attempt by various authors to present

some of the complex issues relating to the specific

cart of various groups of patients in a simple but

interesting way using a number of illustrations.

Howrvrr, although this appears to hr a contradic-

tion in terms, this simplification is also the weakness

of this particular book, for the simplr presentation

does little to stimulate cognitive activity. ‘I‘he self

test questions relate solely to the previous feu pages

of text, and although a supplementary reading list is

given at the end of the chapter it is somewhat

limitrd in content. In spite of its limitations thr book

is cheap and fits easily into a uniform pocket. so it

can provide a quick on the spot reference. It is

therefore worth recommending as an individual pur-

chase, providing that the learner is also directed

towards more comprchcnsivc texts.

R~TFI HAWtiER

SR,V O.%%’ R..‘17- BEd I’hD

141