tailed dietary regimens and recipes differ somewhat in presentation but adhere to principles now being taught in Canada. Advice on how to choose a physician ...
tailed dietary regimens and recipes differ somewhat in presentation but adhere to principles now being taught in Canada. Advice on how to choose a physician includes the recommendation that the physician "should read the sports medicine journals". I support the objective of a regular program of exercise to complement diet and insulin. However, at present patients with diabetes mellitus would do well to continue to depend on information currently available from diabetes education centres and branches of the Canadian Diabetes Association supplemented by general fitness and exercise literature and advice from experienced colleagues and physicians participating in well organized exercise programs. N.W. RODGER, MD, FRCP[C]
Department of medicine St. Joseph's Hospital London, Ont.
covers topics such as preparation for the difficult subject of dizziness and hospital, the value of play, the needs falls in the elderly are not menof the infant, toddler, preschooler, tioned. The 11 pages of the final school-age child and adolescent in chapter deal with 12 subjects, inhospital, the effects of hospitaliza- cluding unreported illness, sensory tion on the entire family, and dis- problems (including vision and hearcharge and home care. ing difficulties), dental care, conThe illustrations contribute to the stipation, incontinence, hypopositive message contained in the thermia, and institutional and termibook. However, there is stereotyping nal care of the elderly. In geriatric (i.e., all doctors are men and all practice these subjects represent an nurses are women wearing caps). enormous burden of functional disThe use of the two colours red and ability; indeed, many of the people brown in the illustrations is very who require institutional care do so effective. because of disabilities arising from The variety and complexity of these "little things". professionals, which often overThis book is not intended to be a whelm children and parents, is not textbook of geriatric medicine, but it addressed, nor is there an emphasis deserves to be widely read because it on the need for parents to be with is a very good text illustrating some their child in some high-stress situa- of the problems of internal medicine tions, when they are the child's most as related to older patients. trusted and reassuring support. JIC. DALL, MD, FRCP (GLASG) Overall, this is an excellent handProfessor of geriatric medicine book. I hope it will soon be available University of Ottawa in French as well. Ottawa, Ont. DENISE ALCOCK, B SC N, MA (ED)
Children in hospital When Your Child is Hospitalized. A Handbook for Parents. Eleanor G. Pask and Catherine E. Cragg. 30 pp. Illust. The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, 1982. Available from the Family Information Centre, the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto; the Canadian Institute of Child Health, Ottawa. Single copies $3, 50 copies or more $2. Stress, anxiety and interruption of family routines are known to result from a child's illness and hospitalization. Parents often feel helpless in these circumstances. "When Your Child is Hospitalized" provides parents with information that will enable them to help their child cope with a hospitalization. It will also help them to understand the reactions and needs of their child and those of his or her siblings. It reassures them that asking questions of hospital staff is not only their right but also will help them to prepare their child more adequately. The section "Questions to ask the hospital or your child's nurse" is cleverly worded to avoid giving parents negative instructions and also to stimulate favourable responses from hospital personnel. The information contained is clearly expressed and 1238
Director Child life department Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Ottawa, Ont.
Internal medicine and the elderly patient Clinical Internal Medicine in the Aged. Robert W. Schrier. 324 pp. Illust. W.B. Saunders Company Canada Limited, Toronto, 1982. $37.05. ISBN 0-7216-8019-4 This small book, whose contributors are from the school of medicine and hospitals in Denver, addresses the problem of internal medicine in old age. The chapters are succinct, easy to read and well referenced, and the presentation and illustrations of the book are pleasing. As the book is written in a positive rather than a discursive style it will be valuable to doctors in family practice who find they are required to treat increasing numbers of elderly patients. The many references will make it a valuable library addition for physicians in hospital practice in internal medicine. However, for the physician who is purely interested in geriatric practice there may be some disappointments. The management of stroke disease and
CAN MED ASSOC J, VOL. 128, MAY 15, 1983
Computers in health care Managing Computers in Health Care. A Guide for Professionals. John Abbott Worthley. 253 pp. Health Administration Press, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1982. $22.50 (US), paperbound. ISBN 0-914904-80-9 At a time when it is becoming increasingly difficult for busy practitioners to keep up with their office paperwork, this book on computers in health care is extremely relevant. The reader is brought into the picture in a painless way and provided with good educational instruction. The book begins by covering some of the problems of computers and discussing the resistance of many people to getting involved with them. It also points out the tremendous asset that a well managed computer can be both in hospitals and in private practice. Security of information A reader who has no previous experience with the language of computers will find this book easy to understand. For example, it shows how to differentiate between a collection of data which is merely a list of facts, and information, which is usable and relevant. Management of
