Evidence-Based Cancer Care and Prevention: Behavioral Interventions
By Given C, Given B, Champion V, Kozachik S, and DeVoss D. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co; 2003; 434 pp. ISBN 0-8261-1574-8.
Evidence-Based Cancer Care and Prevention: Behavioral Interventions is a collaborative work by experts in various aspects of cancer care. The purpose is to synthesize knowledge of state-of-the-science behavioral interventions across the cancer care trajectory. The text covers the entire scope of cancer care from prevention and detection to diagnosis and treatment, through survivorship, to recurrence and/or death. There are common elements to each chapter, including summaries of recent research supported by literature reviews, discussions of the research, acknowledgment of limitations of the interventions, and suggestions for future research. The authors primarily used randomized clinical trials as their source material. The level of evidence supporting the interventions is clearly identified.
The introductory chapter discusses behavioral oncology, a new and rapidly growing body of science, and defines quality behavioral interventions. The subsequent chapters include topics such as smoking cessation in cancer patients, fatigue, pain management, cancer screening, family care giving, complementary and alternative interventions, and end-of-life interventions. The concluding chapter provides suggestions and thoughts on how these behavioral interventions can become part of the standard of practice in cancer care. Numerous detailed tables are included that summarize the relevant research on each topic. The reference lists at the end of each chapter are extensive.
Evidence-Based Cancer Care and Prevention: Behavioral Interventions is of interest to all nurses, in all settings, because all have experience with cancer, either in a professional or personal capacity. The text offers a quick accurate reference on topics that can provide another perspective and offer a viable complement to traditional therapy. Evidence-Based Cancer Care and Prevention: Behavioral Interventions is a well-written thorough text that will be a valuable resource to the clinical nurse specialist when assisting patient, family, and/or friends dealing with cancer.
Persistent Pain in Older Adults: An Interdisciplinary Guide to Treatment
By Weiner D, Herr K, and Rudy T. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co; 2002; 390 pp. ISBN 0-8261-3835-7.
Persistent Pain in Older Adults: An Interdisciplinary Guide to Treatment addresses an important topic that should be of concern to all nurses. Pain seriously affects at least half of all older adults and is frequently undertreated. This text draws on the perspectives of a multidisciplinary group of contributors from psychology, medicine, neuropsychology, nursing, complementary medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacology, and education.
The initial chapter introduces the topic of pain in older adults. Each of following chapters contain similar sections. Evidence and Principles for Practice discusses key relevant literature on the topic. Setting Specific Considerations are included in each chapter, and Case Studies conclude the chapter and bring the ideas to life. The chapter on Interdisciplinary Assessment is one of the strengths of the text. Multiple perspectives and methods of assessing pain are covered, as well pain intensity instruments in the nonverbal adult, a topic that is currently the subject of much discussion among nurses who care for this population. There is a chapter on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Modalities. Also included are chapters on Ethics of Pain Management, Pain and Suffering at the End of Life, and Approach to Reimbursement Issues, always an important concern for clinical nurse specialists. Additional chapters focus on Pharmacologic Management and Invasive Modalities, as well as Exercise Prescription. Conditions and disease states that can result in or contribute to pain are thoroughly discussed throughout the text.
Persistent Pain in Older Adults: An Interdisciplinary Guide to Treatment contains practical evidence-based information that can assist nurses in their care of older patients experiencing pain. Numerous helpful tables and figures are included. The text can be applicable to all nurses in all settings, because most will encounter older patients; most of whom will be experiencing some degree of pain. The focus is on older adults, but much of the content can be applied to any patients experiencing pain. The target audience of text are "practitioners" which includes clinical nurse specialists as advanced practice nurses. With the Setting Specific Considerations, the text can be of use to clinical nurse specialists in almost any setting.
Technology Competency as Caring in Nursing: A Model for Practice
By Locsin R. Sigma Theta Tau International; 2005; 229 pp. US$29.95. ISBN 1-930538-12-X.
Can the traditions of caring in nursing survive the burgeoning growth of technology? What tools do we have as nurses to intertwine these 2 facets of health care today? Rozzano C. Locsin brings forth his theory of nursing in Technology Competency as Caring in Nursing to help demonstrate the right relationship between technology and caring. While the book is detailed with many references and arguments to support his practice model, chapter 10, Vignettes of Caring: Stories and Reflective Summaries of Knowing was particularly helpful in elucidating through stories. Technology is a double-edged sword, and nurses at times have an uneasy relationship with technology. It can both hinder and support our basic tenet of nursing, patient advocacy. As the author states, "The purpose of technology in nursing is not just to retrieve data, achieve particular status among health care providers, or to simply exhibit proficiency, but rather, and most importantly, to know intentionally the person fully as a whole and living person." The patient is not reduced to the sum of his laboratory work, risk scores, pumps, etc, but exists as a whole person. This model reminds us that the patient is not just the ventilator in room 12. Reading and discussing this book are essential for nurses who teach other nurses in any setting along with those seeking thought-provoking guidance in their own practice to care for their patients.
So, You Want to be an Oncology Nurse Manager?!
By Oncology Nursing Society. Pittsburgh, Pa: Oncology Nursing Society; 2004. 62 pp. US$29.95.
This monograph aims to serve as a continuing education offering for nurses who are interested in learning more about the skills and activities required of oncology nurse managers and as a review of key concepts for experienced managers. I am not aware of any other publication of this kind and think that the concept is an excellent one, as many nurses do not fully understand what they are getting into when they accept a management position! I found the content's scope to be broad, and the text was well organized and easy to read. Each short chapter includes lists of references and resources for learners who want to explore a particular topic in more depth. Topics include a variety of common functions including but not limited to basic management styles, leading teams, recruitment and retention, and budgeting. I particularly appreciated the section that explains that just because one becomes a manager, he or she is not suddenly clinically incompetent and can still demonstrate clinical expertise through evidence-based practice. The level of content is geared toward the staff nurse, not the advanced practitioner or a graduate student; however, a clinical nurse specialist who is considering switching from a clinical to a management role may find it useful as food for thought. Although the pocket-sized spiral-bound design is handy, a workbook format that included self-assessment exercises and suggested experiential activities at the end of each chapter would have enhanced the monograph dramatically. The range of topics was comprehensive, although I would have expected more emphasis on the critical management skills of conflict management, stress management, and performance improvement. The content is not specific to oncology nursing and may be applied to any specialty area. Overall, the concept of the book is unique, and it serves a valuable purpose. I recommend this monograph for basic and advanced practice nurses who are in the early stages of considering a career in nursing administration.