Compact Clinical Guide to Geriatric Pain Management: An Evidence-Based Approach for Nurses
Reviewed by: Jan Osborne, RN, GCNS-BC
By Ann Quinlan-Colwell and Yvonne D'Arcy (Series Editor). New York, New York: Springer; 2012. 444 pp. $45. ISBN 978-0-8261-0730-5.
This new publication is a handy compact clinical guide for the assessment and treatment of pain in the older adult. This book provides nurses with a comprehensive guide for geriatric pain management including assessing and managing pain, chronic pain, and comorbid conditions of alcohol and substance abuse, anxiety and depression, and end-of-life care.
Recognizing that the older adult population is growing at a faster rate than ever seen before, and living with chronic conditions that may include pain, the need for adequate pain management that is safe and effective becomes imperative. The purpose of this book is to provide nurses and other healthcare professionals with the most current and concise information available on geriatric pain management. The author aptly discusses both pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain management and the pain conditions that are common in the elderly. The content is particularly significant for the older adult as the aging process brings about changes that can influence the assessment and management of all aspects of their pain.
The book begins with a short overview of pain as experienced in the older adult and goes on to build a strong base of information for nurses to utilize in any setting. The organization of this book makes it an easy resource to read. For the reader's convenience, each chapter singles out the most important points labeled as "Pearls" and places them in boxes. At the end of every chapter, the author has provided guidelines, resources, case studies, and references. The author encourages the reader to remain current in new information for geriatric pain management by accessing the resources listed. Furthermore, the compact size of the book provides the appropriate amount of information for the reader on the go.
This is a well-written and concise book, by a practicing pain management clinical nurse specialist with a background in research and educating patients, families, and nurses and a leader in influencing policy and procedure development. Nurses and other healthcare professionals will certainly find this book a useful resource for understanding and managing geriatric pain.
The reviewer reports no conflicts of interest.
Sleep Disorders and Sleep Promotion in Nursing Practice
Reviewed by: Julie Otte, PhD, RN, OCN
By Nancy S. Redeker and Geoffry Phllips McEnany. New York, New York: Springer; 2011. 440 pp. $70.00. ISBN 978-0-8261-0657-5.
Sleep is a complex human process, and importance of adequate sleep has become a significant healthcare issue for many healthcare disciplines including nursing. In recent years, sleep has been highlighted by numerous federal, regional, and local agencies that support research to better inform clinical practice. Nurses have been an integral part in this effort to increase awareness of the negative impact of poor sleep. However, the dissemination of research evidence has not been fully integrated by healthcare practitioners. As a result, the Sleep Disorders and Sleep Promotion in Nursing Practice is a significant and timely contribution to nursing education and practice.
Sleep Disorders and Sleep Promotion in Nursing Practice was generated by 2 nationally recognized sleep experts with an impressive team of sleep experts. The purpose of the book is to address the gaps in knowledge regarding sleep. It is a tool for nursing educators and advanced practice nurses for improving understanding of the physiology, etiology, and treatment of sleep disorders for health promotion and in managing sleep-related symptoms and functional problems in acute and chronic illness in adult and pediatric patient populations. The book has a strong emphasis on evidence-based research essential for the integration of research into nursing education. The case studies included in various chapters are particularly helpful, providing realistic examples of common scenarios in practice.
The book is well organized into 4 main units that progress in logical path of physiology to future directions of sleep promotion, education, practice, and research. The unique aspect of this publication is the inclusion of sleep along the human life span and emphasis on nursing implications. Each chapter is well written with clear tables and illustrations providing in-depth information for each topic. In particular, the chapters focusing on sleep in specialized settings synthesize information specific to areas that experience a wide range of different sleep problems. The editors recognized that there is some overlap between articles, but this overlap further highlights the complexity of learning the science of sleep.
Sleep Disorders and Sleep Promotion provides the most comprehensive approach to date regarding the importance of sleep. As a foundational book, it is helpful for nurses in many areas of practice and as a guide for integration of sleep education into nursing curricula to better direct and promote health through improved sleep practices. It is highly recommended this text be incorporated into both practice and educational settings.
The reviewer reports no conflicts of interest.
Intervention Research: Designing, Conducting, Analyzing and Funding
Reviewed by: Yvonne Yueh-Feng Lu, PhD, RN
By Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk and Dianne Morrison-Beedy. New York, New York: Springer; 2012. 496 pp. $80.00. ISBN 978-0-8261-0957-6.
Healthcare providers need strong scientific evidence to achieve best practices, maximize patient outcomes, and determine health policy. Achieving evidence-based practice is going to require increased emphasis on the conduct of scientific inquiry. Changes are needed to help achieve more practice-relevant research, including closer working relationships between clinicians and researchers. Increasing the knowledge and skills in intervention research is essential for clinicians and researchers in order to benefit our patients. The book Intervention Research: Designing, Conducting, Analyzing and Funding is written by 2 outstanding senior nursing scientists and their colleagues who are also experts in various intervention studies. The purpose of the book is to accelerate the conduct of careful intervention studies that will ultimately construct the quality of evidence needed to guide practice in real-world settings and confidently influence health practices and policies. The book is the combined work of 40 authors, and each chapter is written by well-known senior nursing scientists and researchers from other disciplines who are experts in specific areas of intervention studies.
The book is divided into 4 parts with 24 chapters and is clearly organized in the order of standard research activities: designing, implementing, analyzing, writing grant proposals, and reporting. The book provides comprehensive, essential elements, and practical guidance for understanding how to design, conduct, analyze, and fund intervention studies as well as for institutional review boards and peer review. The sections on designing and implementing provide very useful and practical information to help readers gain knowledge of and skills for conducting intervention research, as well as useful guidance on cost-effectiveness analysis, writing research grant application, and disseminating results. Strengths of the book are (1) each chapter is readable and well-written in a professional and constructive manner, (2) each chapter lays out information that is described as a field guide rather than an instructional manual; (3) examples of successfully funded grants related to research activities are described in detail; (4) each important concept related to intervention research is briefly stated and posted in a unique box in each chapter to enhance readers' attention in conducting research; (5) a brief summary for each chapter is listed at the end of each chapter; and (6) the book contains a full reference section at the end of each chapter and an extensive list of glossary at the end of the book to help readers learn and identify specific terminologies related to intervention studies.
This book is a helpful resource for all healthcare professionals conducting intervention research and for doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows in healthcare studies.
The reviewer reports no conflicts of interest.