Pediatric Clinical Skills and Introduction to Epidemiology

As a Licensed Practical Nurse and educator I have just read a textbook entitled 'Pediatric Clinical Skills' Second edition that was written by Richard B. Goldbloom back in 1997. This textbook is actually a textbook for students studying to be registered nurses in some capacity or as a nurse practitioner. It is also a book that covers the various kinds of assessments that cover the whole body and all the systems from head to toe from the respiratory procedures to cardio to reproductive and hormones to the muscles and bones and even the skin.

The book covers how to do the initial interview to working with the parents and other staff and doctors to make sure that children and parents understand the many facets of their care. This would in my opinion also make a great reference text for all nurses, social workers, and even counselors to help explain various facets of what is happening to them at particular times of health and illness that fall along the continuum of living.

After reading the title of this book I mainly thought it would just be a step by step guide for this specialty in providing nursing care, but I learned that there was more. Richard B. Goldbloom wrote this textbook in a very understandable way that the language used could be understood by the patients and parents in learning about what the child's issues are about. This textbook is a well-structured for Robert starts out always stating the basics from history taking to even giving time that will bring understanding of the child's illness and the care that is needed. 'Pediatric Clinical Skills' does offer many pictures, tables, and diagrams to illustrate these skills along with how to handle sensitive issues that may occur during care.

The physical attributes of this book and its use by nurses and various medical professions are appropriate for the typeface of the words are easy to read and the diagrams were easy to follow. All the information had examples even though shown in black and white photographs. This is not an offensive textbook, but does show what is necessary for some physical examinations that could be very personal and shows that privacy was established during said examination. All the content of the text is explained clearly on how and what was and will be needed for each of the examinations for all the body systems. In my opinion this textbook will make a good ready reference for new practitioners for there is not really offensive material presented throughout the book. It is also a textbook that has easy to read print throughout its' content and easy to carry for being a softcover book and will fit in any backpack or briefcase one could even read it comfortably sitting just about anywhere.

_________________

Another textbook that I have read and reviewed is 'Introduction to Epidemiology' the sixth edition that is written by Roy M. Merrill in 2013 that is a textbook that is soft-covered and will fit well in a students' backpack or briefcase. This textbook covers the basics of the subject of epidemiology to more specific concepts along with the history of this subject. It is a book that covers the statistics of a topic as well as how to set up case studies and research projects according to person, place and time. There are several appendices that cover several case studies along with questions for further study. This is done throughout the textbook as well as at the end of each chapter there are terms that were defined in the chapter. This shows that the text was well-structured for students to learn the material presented as well as for the teacher to teach from the book. The typeface of the book is fine, but it is still somewhat easy to read and understand. 'Introduction to Epidemiology' to me does not need any other materials to bring understanding to the material that is presented to all nurses of all kinds along with nurse practitioners and doctors.

In my opinion there is no offensive material or language used. It is also a good text that mentions various diversity issues as well and how some ethnicities and cultures in society are dealing with various problems and issues. There are some historical materials used to show how certain diseases were dealt with in the past, so that the present will have an idea how to help themselves in dealing with other various epidemics, outbreaks, and pandemics presently and in the future.

All the theoretical material is explained and when necessary pictures, charts, and diagrams were used in the form of flowcharts for easier understanding of the issue covered. 'Introduction to Epidemiology' does have a companion website for online learning materials and will give students a better way to see how the past works with the present for the future of humanity and the possible 'epidemics' that have occurred then and even now and what to do when one materializes in the future so that panic does not happen.

(I hope you enjoy reading these reviews in hopes that they will be shared with others. Please read, comment and tip for all would be greatly appreciated. More to come.)