Industrial Therapy.

Key GL, ed. St Louis, MO 63146, Mosby, 1995, hardback, 521 pp, illus, $57.95.

Industtial Therapy is a comprehensive reference text for therapists interested in understanding their potential role in the treatment and prevention of workplace injuries. The book is written for any member of the health care team involved in industrial rehabilitation. The author refers to the "industrial therapist" throughout the text, as a specialist in workplace-injury management that incorporates aspects of physical therapy and occupational therapy. A team approach is recommended, and the roles of the team members (worker, employer, physician, physical therapist, occupational therapist, vocational rehabilitation counselor, psychologist, and case manager) are explored.

The author has compiled a great deal of information in one text. The introductory section, "Industrial Therapy in the Contemporary Workplace," includes chapters on outcome measurement and data collection. Section 2, "Injury Prevention," focuses on ergonomics, job analysis, job placement analysis and preemployment screenings, back and upper-extremity injury prevention, and employee fitness. The third section, "Returning the Worker to Productivity," is the most extensive in the book. Its 10 chapters examine the treatment of workplace injuries, from acute care to the assessment of physical impairment. Functional capacity assessments, work hardening, job simulation, worker education, psychological treatment, and vocational rehabilitation are also discussed here. In the last section, "The Management of Industrial Therapy," regulatory, legal, and marketing considerations are explored.

Each chapter is extensively referenced. References are current, with many from 1990 or later. Many of the references, however, seem to be data from Ms Key's company (eg, "Worker Data Bank, KEY Method, Minneapolis, 1994"). It would be helpful to the reader to know whether and how this information is available.

The book is clearly organized. Each chapter can stand alone, making it a good reference source for any therapist or team member in the area of workplace injury management. The book has many illustrations and photographs, and there are case examples throughout. There are many examples of forms and educational materials as well. The chapters are easy to read, with information presented in short segments. if the book has any fault, it is that the authors have sacrificed depth for scope. The therapist, interested in exploring any particular issue would need to delve into the source material. Nevertheless, I would recommend this book to any physical therapist, physical therapist assistant, occupational therapist, or certified occupational therapist assistant interested in the workplace injury management field. I would also recommend the text as a reference source for any workplace injury program.

Lisa Janice Cohen, PT, OCS Spaulding Neighborhood Rehabilitation

Center at Medford Medford, Mass

Ms Cohen is Physical Therapy Supervisor at the Medford outpatient satellite of the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. She specializes in the area of chronic pain management and orthopedics.