NURSE EDUCATION TODAY 2 15

Mental Health and Mental Illness W Nganasurian Wiley 1988 95pp Ilus ISBN O-471-91972-1 f5.95

Mental Health and Mental Illness is one in a series of books designed around the Modules that general nursing students undertake during their training. Its approach is a successful hybrid of text and work book. Initially the student’s anxieties and feelings towards their psychiatric placement are examined. It then progresses to cover a breadth of approaches, condi- tions and treatments relevant to the psychiatric setting. These are covered at a depth suitable for general students or as an introduction for psychiatric nurses.

There are numerous exercises in each chapter designed to get the student involved and if used in a small group, would trigger the sharing of views, experiences and feelings. The majority of chapters finish with a self evaluation section which usefully summarises the essential points of that section.

My main criticism is that the book does little to transfer the skills of psychiatric nursing to use in the general environment. The Mental Health/Mental Ill- ness experience is presented here (and to be fair reflects the majority of the general nurses psychiatric experiences nationally) as a mini, albeit well designed, RMN syllabus.

A useful book reasonably priced.

JOHN FOWLER RGN RMN DN RCNT CertEd RNT

Midwifery Questions V Smith Faber 1988 173pp ISBN O-

Answered

-571-15051-9 23.95

Whilst we may debate the validity and reliability of the current United Kingdom midwifery examination system, there is no question as to the reality of the situation. Students are hungry for guidance on how to convince examiners, through their literary and oral skills, that they will become safe practitioners. For this reason this very readable concise and down to earth book with an easy to follow format is a must for all concerned with learning and teaching midwifery. The size is handy and the price affordable.

A comprehensive contents list directs the reader quickly to areas of interest. Sections on studying and examination technique are detailed and helpful. Information on the viva vote sets the scene accurately and should help minimise anxiety. Weighting, mark- ing and moderating are discussed honestly. It is refreshing to read an open account of the examination system which will give insight to the student and non-examiner teacher alike. Inclusion of a section on the Advanced Diploma in Midwifery is a welcome addition.

The 81 sample questions cover a wide range of topics. The answer guides give structured analysis and suggest possible answer plans which are useful aids to learning. Appendices contain recent National Board papers which students can utilise for further practise.

Thank you to the Midwife Teachers of Queen Charlotte’s Hospital for this vital up to date edition.

ROSEMARY DENISON SMITH SRN SCM MTD

Altered Body Image M Salter Wiley 1988 203pp Illus ISBN o-471-91042-2 f7.50

This book’s intention is to raise awareness of nurses at all levels to the problems of altered body image so that they can bring the ideas discussed into their nursing- care. It is particularly concerned both in hospital and the community, with counselling and advising patients and their relatives.

The approach is to offer ‘practical wisdom’ rather than a strong theoretical base, and this makes me question its aim of reaching nurses at all levels. In the late 198Os, with increasing numbers of students taking basic and post-registration diplomas and degree courses - not to mention Project 2000 developments - I think that more theoretical grounding is needed.

Body image is strongiy influenced by social factors, including cultural norms of beauty and conceptions of gender-appropriate appearance and behaviour. This sociological viewpoint is virtually absent with the book following the medical model in many places. There are chapters on body image as ‘a neurological problem’, the ‘oncological perspective’, and the ‘gynaecological perspective’. The style is anecdotal rather than research-based in many places, which results in un- supported (and probably unsupportable) generali- sation. Everybody is assumed to have a partner, and there is only one small section referring to single people. Homosexuals are written about as if only men were involved.

My overall reaction to the book is one of disappoint- ment, because the idea of a book on body image for nurses is an exciting one. For me at least, the result did not match up to my expectations.

CHRISTINE WEBB BA MSc PhD SRN RSCN RNT

The New Faber Anatomical Atlas A Roberts Faber 1988 125pp Illus ISBN O-571-13839-X &5.95

As the title suggests this book is designed to present the basic facts of human anatomy by illustrations and a brief explanatory text. The book is divided into two