Interpersonal Skills and Health Professional Issues.

Interpersonal Skills and Health Professional issues By Adams CH, jones PD. Mission Hills, CA 91345, Glencoe Publishing Co, Div of Macmillan Publishing Co, 1989, paper, 326 pp, illus, $21 This book is divided into two major sections, Developing Communication Skills and Professional Issues. in the foreword the authors indicate that their selection of material was based on the assumption that readers have had an introduction to the psychological theory of the health care system, but they maintain that an in-depth knowledge of theory is not essential for profitable reading. The authors' writing style is clear and readable. Many references to case material enhance the points made in the text. Chapters begin with a list of objectives to be achieved by reading and end with a summary, a glossary of important terms, and review questions. Several chapters were written by other authors, but this is not indicated on the title page or in the table of contents. The only notification appears in a shaded box placed near the beginning of each specific chapter, identifying the author, the professional sphere of work, and a brief reference to establish credibility. I believe the book has several problems. The authors tried to deal with a broad range of topics within the confines of a small book, which resulted in a superficial treatment of important concepts, interpretations, and applications. Chapter I is entitled "Body Language and Nonverbal Communication." The authors include a five-page discussion of observing behavior and making interpretations about it, putting the observations into a nonchallenging statement, sending nonverbal messages, and creating an environment for communicating; this is followed by a summary and a review. The chapter "Basic Psychology" has as one of its objectives "to understand Freud's concept of the unconscious mind," to which about 700 words are devoted. This book may be useful for an introductory course in 1- or 2-year training curricula, such as physical or occupational therapist assistant programs. It is far too superficial a treatment for baccalaureate curricula in the health professions. The authors state in the first sentence of their preface that "there is a need for a text such as this one." I agree in principle, but this book is not it. Elsa L Ramsden