This symptom management handbook is a very valuable resource for the health professional working in areas that require a higher understanding of pain control outside of the regualted medical-surgical and emergency hospital environment. Pain in oncology, burn, chronic disease, wound and hospice patients is a complex issue for both the patient and the healthcare provider. The algorithms help professionals look scientifically at "if" "then" issues. "If" this happens "then" this is what can be done for the situation. The table of contents tells the reader immediately that every known topic that causes pain is discussed. Then each algorithm presents the user with the drugs used, the assessment needed for the situation, and the non-pharmacologic interventions. There is even a section on the rapid use of spiritual care. If you are a lay person dealing with chronic pain or you are caring for a loved one in pain this handbook will give you understanding why the professionals involved make the decisions they make. Finally the Appendix is full of useful tools to further expertise in the area of chronic pain control. (The size of the handbook slips easily in a uniform pocket.)
From the Librarian - Manager of Knowledgebase Information Services at Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.