NURSE EDUCATION TODAY 349

provision of specialised training using an instructor or It is the third edition of a book based on articles pub- teacher centred approach. This comment could be lished in the BMJ. It presents in a straightforward and seen as less of a criticism of the book and more a fear of uncomplicated way with generous use of illustrations, how it could be used. I was also disappointed by the what the non-specialist needs to know about under- photographs and illustrations which were bland, standing and managing alcohol problems. It does this unimaginative and incongruent in a book about such a by discussing research, current thinking and controver- dynamic subject.

ROBERT UNWIN Clinical Nurse Specialist,

RMN BSc(Hons) Diploma in Therapeutic Community Practice

Clinical Phamacology for Nurses John Trounce & Dinah Gould Churchill Livingstone 1994 333pp illus ISBN 0443-04888-6 512.95

This is the latest edition of this classic text, first pub- lished in 1958, and is highly recommended to all nurses. The authors take the reader from basic pharma- cological principles in Chapter 1, through to fairly detailed explanations of the actions and clinical impli-

sies. It is aimed first and foremost at doctors in both a gen-

eral practice and hospital setting and the approach and tone does reflect this. For example, the section on ‘Detection in Hospital’ focuses on ‘Spotting the Problem Drinker’ through diagnostic features which could be mistaken for symptoms of other complaints. In parts, the ABC comes dangerously close to falling prey to stereotypes:

‘problem drinkers may be spotted by their brash, jocular, overfamiliar manner, inappropriate to the circumstances of a medical consultation . . . . . . . . . People of Irish and Scottish descent seem to drink more than the English and to be more prone to physical damage . . . . . ...’

However, this is balanced by a very useful updated cations of most commonly used drugs. There are also section on ‘Wider Issues’ which looks at social and eco- chapters on the legal and professional aspects of drug nomic factors in alcohol misuse and shows trends in administration - my criticism here is that not enough is consumption and alcohol-related harm. made of the use of locally-agreed protocols as a means There is also concise and helpful information to of extending the role of the nurse. direct the doctor or helper in the sections on ‘Asking

Each chapter concludes with an excellent research- the right questions’, ‘Detection in General Practice’, based reading list, however I believe that references to ‘Tools of detection’ and ‘Help: advice’. The section on research should be placed within the text to underpin ‘Help: resources’ is also useful on a broad level but obvi- the information. For example, quite a lot of research ously all contacts are national. A greater emphasis on has been undertaken by nurses and others surrounding researching local sources of help and alcohol agencies the area of patient ‘compliance’ with medication, but would have been helpful here. this is not clearly seen to inform any recommendations made regarding helping patients to manage their drug regimes.

The style of writing makes the book extremely acces- sible, and the text is regularly embellished with helpful line drawings. However what makes this text the best of

HEATHER TOYNE Senior Health Promotion Specialist

the ‘pharmacology for nurses’ books published in the Career Developments for Nurses UK, is the way that the implications for nursing patients Jane Sanderson on certain drugs are highlighted, and specific points for Scutari Press, London patient education given prominence. This book really 1992 15Opp ISBN l-871364-92-2 dill.99 does help to translate the theory of clinical pharmacol- ogy into nursing practice, and is a recommended acqui-

The book consists of 31 chapters of varying lengths

sition for every ward, health centre and library. divided into 3 sections. The sections are developed logi- cally and include a chapter on Post Registration

NICKY CULLUM Oooortunities and PREP concluding with useful advice

ABC of Alcohol (3rd ed) Alex Paton

BMJ 1994 illus ISBN 0-7279-0812-X 27.95

PhD RGN 0; ‘Funding and Financial Assistance for undertaking further study.

The author has covered a wide number of opportuni- ties in which career moves may be developed including working in the independent sector. The inclusion of contact addresses and information on compiling a CV makes it a useful as ell as interesting read. The book is more of a mini reference manual full of useful informa-

The ABC covers the basic knowledge required to iden- tion designed to enable nurses who are at a career cross- tify and help people with alcohol problems. roads to make a move in the right direction.

350 NURSE EDUCATION TODAY

In places some of the chapters seem unduly long, i.e. opportunities in the armed forces, whereas others seem unduly short. The book is a valuable reference source for qualified nurses and deserves a place in any library used by nurses. It would also serve as a useful text for nurse educators who find themselves advising nurses who are thinking of making a career move.

JOHN COSTELLO RMNRGNRNTMhd

Teaching Interactive SkiBs in Health Care A Faulkner Chapman & Hall 1993 ISBN 041245870-5 29.95

The focus of this book is the teaching of effective com- munication in health care and as such it is structured as a guide for teachers who wish to update and review their skills in that field. The growing awareness of the fundamental importance of communication has meant that the subject is gaining a more prominent place in the curricula of health care courses at all levels. There is, therefore, a need for texts such as this which will pro- vide teachers with support, guidance and ideas. Ann Faulkner has used her extensive experience in this field to ensure a sound base for this text.

Numerous verbatim accounts are included demon- strating ways in which a teacher may use his or her own communication skills to facilitate students. This focus on the precise words which may be used could prove to be helpful to the novice facilitator. More experienced group leaders and facilitators do not need this level of guidance and would probably prefer a text which con- centrates on principles rather than specifics in this way. Overall, however, the majority of teachers would find a number of stimulating ideas in the book.

The need to teach effective interaction strategies is well argued and I am pleased to see the inclusion of a discussion of the emotional cost of caring. Any teacher with responsibilities for teaching interpersonal or com- munication skills should find this book useful. I would also have no hesitation in recommending this book for any student teacher within the health care field.

There is a strong focus on the practical needs of the CAROLINE CARLISLE teacher and the book contains some very explicit guide- MSc BA RGN Rh4 DN Cert RNl

lines on the various interactive strategies which teachers could employ in their teaching. Detailed discussion is included on such areas as using videotaped and audio material, role play, and the facilitation of discussion and feedback sessions. There is a very useful chapter dis- cussing the potential difficulties of experiential work and this provides invaluable guidance for teachers who may be considering using group work and role play for the first time.

FORTHCOMING ISSUES APOLOGY

Nurse education and the impact of profession- alisation Michael Purdy

Australian nursing - moving forward? Compe- tencies and the nursing profession Fran A Sutton and Paul A A&on

A survey of the teaching and learning of biological sciences on undergraduate nursing courses Heather J whawad, Nick Allcock and May Cha@!e

Nurse teachers in higher education - without clinical competence, do they have a future? Ian Cave

Matrix learning: an Innovative development in huge group experiential teaching and learning Peter Goble NurseEducation Today (1994) 14 (2): 140-145

The Publishers should like to acknowledge that extracts of the material and Figures 1 and 2 from the above paper had been published previously in a paper entitled ‘Meridian matrix: experiential learning for tomorrow S world’ by David Wasdell which appeared in ‘Gmup Relutions’ (Ott 1992) 4 (2): S-10. The paper was also published in September 1992 by the Unit for Research into Changing Institutions, London.

Student’s evaluation of the process of conducting The Publishers wish to take this opportunity to apolo-

a patient assessment gise to Mr Wasdell and to ‘Group Relations’, and to recog-

Moira Attree, Denise Button and Hannah Cooke nise their copyright on the published material.

Designing an integrated curriculum with a com- mon core for an interdisciplinary course in com- munity nursing Elizabeth Howkins