H U L T I H E D I A REVIEW

Bodyworks for windows v5.0 Softkey International Ltd

Bodyworks has been around for some time now but it is only since I invested in a computer with a CD- 1KOM that I have had the opportunity to play with it. O f course, although it does include the option of a fun TV-style quiz show, to use the word 'play' is unfair. This is no shoot 'era up game, but a serious 'interactive exploration of human anatomy and physiology'. At least, that what it says in the docu- mentation. Minimum requirements for the pro- gramme are a 386/26 processor, windows 3.1, 4MB RAM, SVGA colour graphics, and a double speed C D - K O M . O f course it runs better on a higher spec. machine, the prices for which seem to tumble daily.

Once the somewhat irritating background music has been silenced, Bodyworks is a joy to run. The soundtracks are, of course, made with a North American accent and the only bit o f E n ~ a n d I found was a video clip made in Gateway House, Manchester (home to the local blood transfusion ser- vice). Hurrah for the good old NHS! The Americans still can't touch the quality of our voluntary blood

donor panels. The other fault with the US bias is that the addresses of patient-help organisations are North American.

The video clips themselves are a bit on the small- ish side, but then again, this is true of many interac- tive programmes. However, one potentially useful feature is the ability to copy pictures, photographs, video or sound and diagrams for use elsewhere. For example, I found that by using a simple cut and paste operation it was easy to copy diagrams into my word processing package. This capability is in itself proba- bly worth buying the programme for, e.g. in order to produce local information sheets for students or patients.

Is this programme a substitute for an anatomy and physiology book? Almost certainly not, although it makes an easy-to-follow addition. As for the audi- ence it is intended for, as a source of information it is in many respects too simplistic for nurses, although it does contain useful videos to help conceptualise knowledge. However, given the appropriate hard- ware being available it might be a useful patient edu- cation tool. My own children, aged 9 and 11, both seemed to enjoy using it and told me I should keep my sample copy because it would 'come in handy for school projects'.

Andrew]. Newens BSc, PhD, R N

Alongside the person in pain. Holistic care and nursing practice M. Fordham and V. Dunn

Bailliere TindalI, London, 1994, i53 pages. Price £11.95

Pain is the most frequent reason for seeking medi- cal advice and as nurses many of us will undoubt - edly recall times when we have felt dissatisfied with the pain management we were able to offer to patients. This book approaches a complex subject with sensitivity and realism. It is not prescriptive; rather it is a thoughtful guide which offers a com- prehensive insight to a diverse area wi thout resort- ing to the platitudes or stereotyping often seen in texts centered around patient responses and feel- ings.

There are nine chapters covering issues such as people and pain; the nature and meaning of pain; assessment of pain; principles of effective pain management and role relationships in pain management. The text is well referenced and up- to-date. As suggested by the title, there is a strong emphasis on patient involvement and an individual approach.

This is the first research-based British nursing textbook to approach the subject and I would rec- ommend it to all those involved, at all levels, in car- ing for those in pain.

Rose Webster BSc, R N

Intensive and Critical Care Nursing (1996) 12,31~313 © 1996 Pearson Professional Ltd

Lifestyle management for patients with coronary heart disease N. H. Miller and C. B. Taylor

Human Kinetics, Champaign, Illinois, 134pages, 1996. Price £ I 7.00

It is notoriously difficult to help patients adopt and maintain lifestyle changes. Indeed, it probably poses the major challenge to nurses working with patients with coronary heart disease.

This monograph, written by two leaders in the field, is the second in a series entitled 'Current Issues in Cardiac Rehabilitation'. It is designed to help health care professionals who are involved in educat- ing and counselling patients to modify coronary risk factors. The authors use a behaviour-oriented approach drawing upon their extensive research and clinical experience at the Stanford Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme (SCP,.P).

The monograph consists of nine chapters. The first two briefly introduce the lifestyle management experience of the SCP~P and review theories and principles of intervention, drawing heavily on social cognitive theory and self-efficacy analysis. The next two chapters discuss education, communication and methods of intervention, and psychological issues affecting lifestyle changes. Separate chapters then fol- low on the modification of specific risk factors such as exercise, smoking, diet and stress. These draw largely on the work of the authors in the MULTI- FIT (multiple risk factor intervention) programme.