Physiotherapy August 1999/vol 85/no 8

441

Book reviews

441

Haworth Press,10 Alice Street, Binghamton, New York13904-1580, USA1998 (ISBN 0 7890 0652 9). 176 pages

edited by Anne Hiller Scott PhD OTR FAOTA $36This is a hardback book designed for occupational therapistsworking in the American market, although many of the issuesraised could apply to English occupational therapists - issues suchas the demands placed on therapists caused by lack of money,accountability and necessity to prove effectiveness of the service.

The book is divided into chapters, which can be read asseparate articles. References are at the end of each chapter,which I found helpful.

It was interesting to read the information that the US Mental

Health Education Task Force reported that occupationaltherapists still do not agree upon a clear definition of theirprofession. I think that many occupational therapists in the UKwould agree with this statement.

I read the chapter on the ‘Internet and World Wide Web as aresource for mental health occupational therapists’ by MargaretC Blodgett MS OTR. I felt this simple article would have beenmore at home in a computer magazine for new computer usersrather than a hardback book. ‘Out of the ashes’ by Justine BHopper, an ex-patient, was easy to read and obviously anemotional time for the author, but how it could be included in abook called New Frontiers, I am not sure.

Generally I would not recommend this book forphysiotherapists working in psychiatry. I did show it to anoccupational therapist. She had a very quick read and suggestedthat it might be useful in a university library for occupationaltherapy students.

Christine Marsh MCSP

New Frontiers in PsychosocialOccupational Therapy

Radcliffe Medical Press, Abingdon, Oxon1999 (ISBN 1 85775 242 2). 242 pages

edited by Yvonne Carter and Cathryn Thomas £18.50This handbook is designed to introduce research opportunitiesto ‘relevant’ members of the primary care team. It is describedwithin the introduction as a series of practical notes that givecommunity-based examples of research activities. It is aimed atdeveloping an enthusiasm in the reader for the advantages ofundertaking research by giving examples of the practical day-to-day aspects of research in primary care settings. However themajority of contributors to the book are from academic ratherthan clinical backgrounds. It is stated that this book is tocomplement a previous work, Research Methods in Primary Care.

The earlier chapters of the book concentrate on raisingawareness of existing research networks as well as the fundingand training arrangements that are available to professionalswithin primary care. There are sections in each chapter writtenby individuals currently undertaking research, describing their

personal experiences of research, and reflecting on the ways thishas enhanced their own development. These sections tend to beanecdotal reflections rather than specific descriptions of howtheir research was conducted.

There is only slight reference to multidisciplinary researchthroughout the book and the only contributors besides doctorsare a practice nurse and a pharmacist. This may well frustrateany physiotherapist who may choose to read this book, owing toits narrow focus of the team members within primary care.However, there are some practical points that could begeneralised to any member of staff working in this setting.

The book is very readable and each chapter is well referencedat the end. Its general layout is attractive with good use of clearheadings and chapter sections, including the use of differentfonts and shading. Within many of the chapters there arechecklists, which are identified by being within a box, acting asan aide memoire to the subject matter.

This book should be available to members of the primary careteam within each GP practice, acting as a stimulus to becomeinterested in research rather than being expected to be atextbook on how to practically undertake it.

Jill Simpson MCSP

Research Opportunities in PrimaryCare