Rehabilitation Medicine.

Rehabilitation Medicine 

Edited by Goodgold J. St Louis, Mo 63146, C V Mosby Co, 1988, cloth, 988 pp, illus, $85

The purpose of this book is never stated clearly in the preface or elsewhere. The book's apparent purpose is to provide a comprehensive review of the scope of rehabilitation medicine, including relevant social, economic, educational, vocational, and behavioral issues. The book contains 62 chapters that are organized into eight sections: "Patient Evaluation," "Brain Damage and Stroke," "Spinal Cord Trauma," "Systemic Disorders and Special Services," "Musculoskeletal Disorders ... .. Pain Syndromes," "Allied Therapies and Technology in Rehabilitation," and "Psychosocial and Economic Aspects of Rehabilitation." Contributing to the book are 80 authors. Normally a topic as extensive as rehabilitation medicine could not be covered comprehensively in a single volume, not even in one of this size; however, numerous topics are presented here with clarity. Tables and figures contribute substantially to the overall effectiveness of the presentation. Each chapter is referenced extensively. I doubt that experts in any of the specific areas covered in the book would find much new material relevant to their specialty; however, others should find the information presented to be an excellent introduction. The book provided me with a first-time understanding of a number of topics I often encounter but have never dealt with personally. Although the information is not specific enough to clarify how to do certain procedures, it is sufficient to aid in the interpretation of clinical findings and to assist in treatment planning. I can definitely recommend purchase of the book as a reference text, despite its high cost.

Richard W Bohannon, EdD