Physiotherapy November 2002/vol 88/no 11

710

discuss these issues with their physiotherapists, but this bookdoes provide brief and candid information for both maleand female patients.

Although the authors do not try to hide the lack ofeffective present-day treatments for progressive multiplesclerosis, they are hopeful for the future and deal with majorlifestyle changing problems in a positive manner. Since thebook is written for sufferers rather than for healthcareproviders, it offers a different slant on problem solving forpatients.

It does not contain any new information but does collatethe diagnostic tests, medications and drug trials in a simpleformat that could prove of use to any clinician wanting tolearn more about multiple sclerosis.

This book will be of limited use to busy neurologicalphysiotherapists but may be useful in a hospice or teachinglibrary. For patients I would recommend the MultipleSclerosis Resource Centre’s magazine New Pathways.

Caroline Russell MCSP

Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London2002 (ISBN 1 85302 649 2). Illus. 336 pages

by Diana Williams £16This practical guide to written communication lives up to itstitle. It covers most types of writing that a health professionalmight need to use – student notes, records, teachingmaterial, essays, project reports, and only the final section ison writing for publication.

The method of instruction is easy to follow andcomprehensive, with virtual check lists and summaries of keypoints. Examples of charts, graphs and tables are illustrated.

Some of the author’s own phrases can jar – for instance

‘Is all the key data represented?’ However, the book makesno claims to teach readers how to produce a text of literarymerit. It aims at written work which is clear, comprehensiveand accurate, and offers many practical tips, such as whenusing whiteboards or flipcharts, make sure all the audiencecan see them – and bring your own spare pens.

A valuable section gives up-to-date information on thelegal framework of record keeping and health informationmanagement. Professional accountability, possible formats,the ownership of records and clients’ rights are all covered.

The author of this book is a speech and languagetherapist, and is still practising in the health service, whichgives her advice practical value. If all writers followed theprinciples in her book their readers, in whatever capacity,should owe Ms Williams a debt of gratitude.

Gillian Adams BA

Writing Skills in PracticeA practical guide for health professionals

Radcliffe Medical Press, Oxford2002 (ISBN 1 85775 995 8). 312 pages

by Lewis Walker FRCS(Glas) £27.50This book presents us with the marriage of two disciplines –medicine in the traditional setting of the GP practice, andneuro-linguistic programming (NLP). The latter, thoughnot new, has gained most recognition through itsapplication in the business world. Here applied to themedical world, it has the potential to revolutionise ourdealings with patients. NLP is the study of the structure ofsubjective experience, and is so logical, it is incredible thatwe did not make use of its principles millennia ago. Otherdefinitions include ‘the art and science of excellence, ‘anattitude of mind’, and ‘a theory of communication’. Allhealth professionals need to be good communicators whenconsulting with their patients. Dr Walker in this book shows

us how we can become excellent communicators in both thework situation and otherwise.

The book is set out as in the Calgary-Cambridge model of the consultation, taking us through the stageschronologically. After an overview of NLP in the secondchapter, the author takes us through initiating the session,gathering information, building the relationship, explan-ation and planning, and closing the session. In each of thesechapters he give us plenty of examples, some amusing,clarifying the principles given. These are obviously typical ofwhat one would encounter in a GP consultation, but caneasily be adapted and applied in one’s mind to a physiotherapist-patient encounter, be it in an in- oroutpatient setting. An extensive bibliography directs readersto other material in the fields of NLP, communication andrelated areas, including websites. Five appendices serve asplaces of reference to support and further readers’ learningof the techniques throughout the book.

This is a fascinating and enjoyable read, and I wouldhighly recommend it to all health professionals with patientcontact.

Heather Wood MCSP

Consulting with NLPNeuro-linguistic programming in themedical consultation

707-711BookReviews 23/10/02 12:28 am Page 710