The Comprehensive Guide to Work Injury Management.

Isernhagen SJ, ed. Gaithersburg, MD 20878, Aspen Publishers Inc, 1995, hardback, 821 pp, illus, $75.

The Comprehensive Guide to Work Injury Management is an extensive presentation of current thought regarding work injury prevention, work injury management, and administrative concerns. It is basically an expansion on Isernhagen's Work Injury: Management and Prevention published in 1988. This work is authored by highly respected individuals from varied backgrounds, including not only the traditional rehabilitation fields of physical therapy and occupational therapy, but also psychology, chiropractic, law, risk management, and ergonomics. Notably lacking from participation are the fields of vocational evaluator/specialist, industrial hygiene, and occupational health nursing.

This book is divided into three sections. The first section deals with work injury prevention. The need for job analysis and ergonomic interventions is stressed. Standard information for assessing risk factors, performing job analysis, and implementing ergonomic programs is presented. Basic information for back schools an? legally performing prework screening is included. A comprehensive literature review of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and information detailing CTS measurement and surveillance techniques are beneficial.

The second section deals with work injury management. The emphasis of this section is on providing appropriate, timely, cost-effective, and objective services to the injured worker. Functional capacity evaluation is presented as the cornerstone for the determination of the appropriate intervention and return-to-work for the injured worker. Overviews of various rehabilitation programs including work hardening, work conditioning,

Switzerland programs, Australian programs, and pain programs are introduced. Philosophy and various components of evaluation and rehabilitation are discussed. Extensive instruction in how to develop and provide these services is not provided. The importance of engaging the worker and self-efficacy is discussed. In addition, the significance of providing program evaluation and outcome studies is stressed.

The third section deals with administrative and employer concerns. Discussions of risk management, utilization review, managed care, and the Americans With Disabilities Act will assist the rehabilitation provider in understanding some of the employer's concerns. The core team for occupational health, occupational medicine, occupational nursing, safety specialists, and industrial hygiene is introduced. As rehabilitation is only one small part of a comprehensive occupational health program, further explanation of rehabilitation's role within the total occupational health scheme would be helpful.

This text is well written and easily read. Numerous case studies illustrate the various injury management principles. Even though there are multiple contributors, consistency between chapters is generally maintained throughout this book.

This book will prove to be of value to both novices and experienced providers of work injury management. Although it does not provide step-by-step instruction in how to develop a program, it does provide a current and accurate philosophical foundation for a progressive rehabilitation program. This book is destined to become one of the classic reference sources in the work injury management field.

Deanna Fletcher, PT TruCare Health Systems Dallas, Tex

Ms Fletcher is director of clinic services at Trucare Health Systems where she directs the outpatient division. She also serves as an industry consultant.