Book Review
Issues in Accident and Emergency Nursing
Edited by Lynn Sbaih
ISBN: 0 412 49830 8; 1994; 237 pages; Chapman Hall Publications London;
Lesley Dunstall
Nursing, University of South Australia, SA
The editor ofthis bookhas developed a comprehensive text different from the traditional clinical nursing text books sought after by nurses specialising in the area of Accident and Emergency. This text, through a selection of papers, explores issues and problems of current interest to nurses working inAand E.
The book has an overall intention ofpresenting two challenges to the reader.
• To consider what each contributor has to say, even though the information presented may be viewed from a standpoint different from their own.
• To translate some of the ideas and standpoints presented into the reader's own area of clinical practice, whether this be a small, medium or large A and E department. Although the book examines issues emerging from A and E nursing in the United Kingdom, these can be challenged and debated within the current Australian setting.
The themes emerging within each chapter are varied, addressing current issues within the clinical, educational and management context. Topics include: the ethical debate surrounding triage, the care of children and elderly in A and E, role of liaison psychiatry, and the introduction of technology.
Trauma, an evolving specialty within A and £, has also been addressed. Each contributor explores the issues from a range of perspectives, to challenging the readers to question their current practice. Each topic is introduced using points/issues for discussion and exploration of alternate ways of viewing aspects of clinical practice. The contents page and introduction provide a clear guide to readers who may wish to be selective in their reading.
Certainly the book can be used in this way as the chapters are quite discrete and organised into sections, allowing the reader to 'dip' into parts of the chapters as required. An extensive reference to extension reading is provided at the end of each chapter to allow readers to further explore ideas and information presented within the text. This text would be very useful for all nurses who are interested in widening the debate about nursing in A and E and its future development.
It is important for all nurses in A and E practice to be aware of and explore the broader socia-political issues related to roles as well as developing the appropriate knowledge and skills for clinical practice.
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