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Health and Lifestyle Mildred Blaxter Routledge 1990 268pp illus ISBN: 0-415-00147-l 212.95

This book attempts to build models of the relationship between health and lifestyle, encompassing habits such as alcohol consumption and exercise and also the social circumstances in which people live. It is based on the results of a national survey conducted in England, Wales and Scotland during 1984/5 using a sample of just over 9000 individuals and employing a wide variety of data collection techniques, including physio- logical measurements, open-ended interviews and self-completion questionnaires.

Amongst the topics investigated are the relative significance of economic, cultural and behavioural factors on health status and the degree of responsi- bility an individual should have for his or her own health. The conclusions derived from the data are numerous: amongst the most revealing include the suggestion that those people who are most exposed to adverse influences such as poverty, are infact less likely to attribute ill-health to environmental factors, and that the ‘North/South divide’ has limited significance on health in itself, the place of residence being less important that the @pe of area (e.g. rural/industrial) wherever geographically situated. The author con- cludes by highlighting that although broad statements about the effects of class, income, area of residence or the relationship of behaviour to health, may seem to offer simple implications for policy, they can never be assumed to be universally applicable. Furthermore health-change policies which focus entirely on the individual may be ineffective not only because expo- sure to health risks is largely involuntary, but also as this study shows, because of unwarranted assumptions about the extent to which behaviour can, in certain circumstances, be effective in improving health.

This book is a very useful research-based text and as well as offering a great deal of valuable and revealing information on individual perspectives of health, it is likely to stimulate much debate amongst those readers involved in health promotion and health education. It is certainly a book to which students and practitioners of community nursing and health visiting will wish to refer.

CAROLINECARLISLE BA MSc RGN SCM NDN Cert RNT

Nursing and the Law David Carson &Jonathan Montgomery MacMillan 1989 13Opp ISBN: I-333-49572-l 26.95

This text sets out, in a lively question and answer approach, to answer the most common queries nurses have about the nature and process of law affecting them. It is a deliberately brief and down to earth

volume, designed by its authors to cut away the mystery of legal matters, and get to the practical concerns of everyday practitioners of care. It avoids discussion of medical case histories, the law as it affects doctors, concentrating instead, upon the scanter. but perhaps clear problems that have concerned nurses. By and large the authors succeed in doing just that. The text is readable, well up to date, and does avoid the worst excesses of legal jargon and unnecessary niceties. The questions posed do indeed seem to reflect the concerns of at least this reviewer’s colleagues and students. The glossary was especially welcome (if a little too brief), covering as it does those central definitions such as a ‘duty of care’, ‘negligence’ and ‘trespass’. Against these encouraging comments, it’s also fair to say that this volume isn’t that rich in situation examples, and these have always been a useful way of pointing out the critical points. Examples where they appear look cramped on the page. and often spill over onto the next, in a rather untidy manner. Cost is manageable for a wide range of nurses, but given the growing importance of law in nursing, I wonder whether the presentation of this volume does itjustice? In short this is an adequate first reader, very accessible and practical in its approach. It may be a little thin on examples to become a core text within college courses.

BOBPRICE

SRN BA MSc Cert Ed

Legal Aspects of Nursing Bridgit Dimond Prentice Hall International 1990 516pp iflus ISBN: O-13-529355-3 f14.95

If we are to avoid practising defensive nursing care, and to continue safe yet imaginative practice, we must understand the law affecting our profession. That seems to have been the concern behind this excellent textbook, which sets out to address all the key areas of worry. It not only discusses the classic problem areas, negligence, consent, confidentiality and accountabi- lity, but the process of legal and professional discipline proceedings as well. Understanding just what is involved in a civil action, criminal charge or disci- plinary hearing (UKCC) seems an important aspect of this topic, and the case examples illustrate the matters clearly. Following broad introductory chapters, the author goes on to explore the legal aspects of specialist practice. Midwives, nurse teachers, theatre nurses, colleagues in the community, child care and ITU will all find useful guidelines here. It was pleasing to find that not only was the subject well covered, but that explanation was both clear and unpatronising. This however does not preclude the author from admitting that some areas of law have not been fully tested in practice. In conclusion then, this is an admirable text. prepared by a well qualified author who has a firm

IWRSE EDUCATlO&- TODAY 473

grasp of nurses’ legal concerns. It is a text accessible to projects are discussed. These are most useful com- all practitioners and one which should appear on the shelves of all the best college or nursing libraries.

ments, helping to guide the reader’s thinking regard- ing the conduct of research and subsequent

BOB PRICE implementation of findings. A review of research in

SRN BA MSc CertEd key areas is also provided.

Aids and its Metaphors Susan Sontag Penguin 198811990 95pp ISBN: l-01-012040-8 f3.99

This essay continues the themes put forward in Sontag’s earlier book, ‘Illness as Metaphor’ and, in many ways, one must read the earlier text to fully appreciate the later exposition. ‘Illness as Metaphor’ analyses the imagery surrounding particularly cancer and tuberculosis and demonstrates how such illnesses are constructed within the popular imagination. It is these constructions that commonly allow for disease states to be used as metaphors for all that is feared within society at any one time.

Aids and its metuphors focuses on what is viewed as a ‘catastrophic epidemic’ and explores the meanings, often moralistic, given to this syndrome. The imaginery generated can be seen to foster both ignor- ance and fear. In the closing section of this excellent book, Sontag makes a plea for the demise of unnecess- arily ‘unsavory and distorting’ metaphors be they of military origin or those adopted by the medical model. In this way, it can be argued that associations of dread and fear may be minimised and a more positive approach, devoid of blame, shame and punishment, adopted; an approach that enables the individual and society to cope.

This book has to be highly recommended.

TONKS N FAWCETT SRN BSc (Hans) MSc RNT

oncology Ann Faulkner Scutari Press 1989 132pp illus ISBN: 1-871364-19-l 211.95

This book is the first in a series which ‘aims to present research in a way that makes sense to clinical nurses’. It is well presented, well referenced and easily readable.

The introductory statements review the difficulties for researchers and reasons why nurses are not yet ‘research minded’. In the first chapter Ann Faulkner reviews the present situation for the cancer patient - treatments, attitudes and areas requiring research. Subsequent chapters deal with various topical and important issues which have been researched by experienced health care professionals for example - patient teaching, nurses’ stress, patient assessment. Each section is well structured and clearly written.

The concluding chapters review these research papers considering their implications for education and change. The strengths and weaknesses of the

Finally, Dr Faulkner makes some challenging and thought provoking comments which contribute towards a well balanced review of the research process.

This reasonably priced book is essential reading for both the specialist and general nurse. If the future books of this series are as readable and interesting, then they will make a valuable contribution to the presently available research literature.

EDWINA M GERRY RGN JND BSc(H0n.s) RCNT RNT DipN(Lond) CertEd

Patient Participation Sally Brearley Scutari Press 1989 116pp ISBN: l-871354-24-8 $9.50

This is an unusual book. It begins with an acknowl- edgement and an abstract. The reader is informed that the contents represent submission towards the degree of BSc (Hons) Nursing Studies at a British University. It is published in the Royal College of Nursing Research Series.

There are five chapters neatly divided to cover the essential issues related to the question of patient participation. Chapter 1 introduces the concept - the author concludes that tensions arise when nurses seek to support patients’ autonomy or act as their advocates.

Chapter 2 justifies the area selected for review and the rationale underlying the author’s decisions. Patient’s involvement in the evaluation of care is deliberately omitted. This is a pity as the notion of active participation is flawed without patient’s partici- pation in the process of evaluation.

Chapter 3 describes the method of selection of literature for review. All articles were selected from six nursing journals - two British and four American.

It could be argued that undergraduate research cannot be treated with the same degree of seriousness as those for higher degrees. If the appearance of this book is to change that view, then readers must be convinced that selection is made from a wide range of submissions of this type of undergraduate work for publication.

The book can be recommended for students in all settings not least because it challenges a number of assumptions about patient participation and offers an agenda for a way forward.

CYNTHIA AKINSANYA RGN RFN RM NDM PGCEA DNT