168 Off the shelf/ Patient Educ. Couns. 22 (1993) 167-174

whole field of headache. It is written by two of the most senior physicians in this field. It covers details of ways to take a headache history and the judgement calls on necessity of further studies. There are separate chapters on the common types of headache as they are currently classified -migraine, tension-type headache and cluster headache. Separate chapters are also devoted to headache as symptoms of other processes - cerebrovascular disease, otolaryngologic disease, head trauma. Several chapters are directed to treatment - the useful drugs, the dangers of over-use of drugs, and the non-pharmacologic treatments.

The book is primarily for physicians. It provides good summaries of the subjects dealt with and these sum- maries can easily be translated into lay language for patient counseling. The book is straightforward and that quality is useful. It also, however, minimizes to some degree the discussion of controversial or ‘fuzzy’ areas in which the field abounds. The book is too technical for lay readers. This compact volume. should be of value to both family practitioners and neurologists who will find its extended sections on the details of treatment par- ticularly valuable.

Department of Neurology University of Kansas Medical Center

Dewey K. Ziegler, M.D. Professor Emeritus

SSDI 0738-3991(93)00589-Z

An Introduction to Neurogenic Communication Disorders, 4th Edition Robert H. Brookshire (Editor) Mosby Year Book, St Louis, MO, 1992; 286 pp.

The author states he has ‘written this book to provide its readers with a basic understanding of neurogenic communication disorders.’ In this endeavor, he has suc- ceeded magnificently. This reader-friendly volume is a delightful read. The change in title from the third edi- tion’s Introduction to Aphasia (1986) to the current In- troduction to Communication Disorders previews the addition of material not covered in previous volumes. Information on subcortical aphasias, R hemisphere damage, traumatic brain injury, dementia and motor speech disorders make this a truly broad introductory text.

If breadth of coverage is the book’s greatest strength, the depth of coverage is it’s greatest weakness. The author knows this and states: ‘This book is neither a

training manual nor a source of techniques. Reading it will not make the reader competent to evaluate, diag- nose or treat patients with neurogenic communication disorders.’ Perhaps it would be appropriate to advise that the coverage is uneven. There are some areas that are well covered, (auditory comprehension deficits, aphasia tests) and some that are more readable by their concise and surface exposure (tumors, the neurological exam, technological advances in diagnoses). Some infor- mation is included that is too often overlooked (the rehab team, a list of important characteristics of the ‘typical’ aphasic patient, effects of feedback). Some areas are noticeably slighted, such as neurology, efficacy of treatment, assessment of cognitive deficits. The coverage of any one area is sufficient only to ‘help the student get started,’ but then, that is what the author in- tended to do.

The author writes in a very readable style. Explana- tions are clear and concise and occasionally even humorous. The book is logically organized with clear headings and divisions. It is visually pleasing with fre- quent use of good diagrams, sketches, and tables. There are lots of citations of other works to provide the reader with additional references, including most of the masters in the field. However, occasionally a reference will be made to material that actually occurs in another chapter.

Author Brookshire has been criticized for presenting some of his opinions as facts in the text. As a case in point, on page 150, he states that ‘most agree that aphasia is not a loss of language...but that it is a result of impairments in processes.’ While many (if not ‘most’) aphasiologists would agree with Brookshire’s statement, it does remain a point of controversy among profession- als and should be labeled as such.

The bibliography is extensive and reflects on Brookshire’s years as editor of the Clinical Aphasiology Conference Proceedings. Alas, it is lacking much materi- al beyond 1988.

Perhaps the ultimate value of a new book is whether it is relevant and useful for its intended audience. Brookshire is clear he has intended to write an introduc- tory text which will serve as an overview of a significant account of important material. As such, this text would be valuable for an undergraduate survey of neurogenic communication disorders or for professions other than Speech-Language Pathology. Portions of it might be ap- propriate for educating families of patients with neurogenic communication disorders. It is lacking the necessary depth to be effective as a graduate text in Speech-Language Pathology but should serve well to give those in allied professions an interestingly written,

Off the shelf/ Patient Educ. Couns. 22 (1993) 16 7- I74 169

insightful introduction to neurogenic communication disorders.

Speech-Language Services Sara Dale Brandt Chief, University of Kansas Speech-Language Pathologist Medical Centre

SSDI 0738-3991(93)00590-5

Educating Families of the Head Injured: A Guide to Medical, Cognitive, and Social Issues Dana S. DeBoskey, Jeffrey S. Hecht, Connie J. Calub (Editors) Aspen Publishers Inc., Gaithersburg, MD, 1991; 251 pp.; US$44.00

A traumatic brain injury is a devastating event that totally disrupts a person’s life. Because disablement of one family member can disorganize the entire family, rehabilitation programs place emphasis on involvement of the family throughout the rehabilitation process. This involvement typically consists of education, training, supportive counseling and family therapy, all of which are intended to assist the family in learning how to adapt to and manage the disability within the family system. Few texts are available that address both the medical and psychosocial aspects of a disability. Educating Families of the Head Injured is a guide that enables those (professional and nonmedical professionals) who have responsibility for the wellbeing, health, and care of others to develop insight into and to become more em- pathetic to the needs, motivations, feelings and behavior of their patient and family member.

The twenty chapters are well-illustrated with helpful tables, guides and figures. The loose leaf format allows the professional to customize the application to each case. The authors go one step further and list titles and addresses of other books and agencies that could benefit the caretaker. Chapter one is primarily an introduction to the text usage for the family and outlines pertinent in- formation for specific points in time during the rehabili- tation process. This chapter reinforces the importance of the family involvement with the multidisciplinary team.

In chapters two and three of the guide the medical is- sues of TBI are outlined from the accident scene, through the emergency room, intensive care and inpa- tient rehabilitation. Families will have to stay afloat in a sea of information and would benefit from repeat readings to absorb everything in these chapters. Here

normal brain function is compared to deficits seen after brain injury and the prognosis. Each section is focused through highlighted headings and subheadings; sum- maries, and thought provoking questions are also given. Medical terminology is abundant, however, the authors provided definitions of major terms.

The following 17 chapters each discuss a major issue related to head injury. The subjects covered are Prepar- ing for Home, Outpatient Options, Funding Sources, How to Choose an Appropriate Treatment Facility, Long-Term Placement Considerations, Cognitive, Be- havioral, Emotional and Psychosocial Problems, Long- Term Medical Issues and Substance Abuse. Chapters 17 through 20 address the needs of special populations like children and the elderly, and reintegration into the com- munity.

The chapters are divided into sections which include examples of deficits that might be observed and then provides a section on management techniques for each. Key words are highlighted and a glossary is provided for definitions of medical terms. The authors included a se- lected bibliography at the end of the book rather than at the end of each chapter.

The book has a few defects, its information is not always practical in the real world because of time and lack of interest. The text is detailed, up-to-date and it reflects wide experience. It is easy to read for the profes- sional who has some background in TBI rehabilitation. For the unexperienced practitioner it would be useful as a reference. It is a guide that I would recommend for patient-family education.

Neuro-Rehab Nurse Sandra Whittemore Cape Fear Valley Patient Education Coordinator Medical Center Fayetteville, North Carolina

SSDI 0738-3991(93)00591-U

Co-Dependency, 5-Video Series The What and Why of Co-dependency (22 min) Characteristics of Co-dependents (23 min) The Path to Recovery (20 min) Healing the Family Within (44 min) Pieces of Silence (56 min) Concept Media, Irvine, CA, 1990; US$995 (5 videos), USS880 (any 4), US$700 (any 3), US$275 (single video)