Rehabilitation: the use of theories and models in practice

Author:	Sally Davis
ISBN:	0 443 100241
Publisher:	Churchill Livingston
Published:	2006
Pages:	208
Format:	Paperback
Edition:	1st
RRP:	AUD$75.00

This text is described as being directed toward a market of healthcare professionals that work in the specialty field of Rehabilitation. “Rehabilitation is a complex process which is dependant on interprofessional working and should be focused on the individual’s goals”. A line from this text that paints the ideal picture of what interdisciplinary rehabilitation should be…and might become. There are four intended objectives of this text; 1.) explore the use of models and theories in rehabilitation, 2.) identify the use of models in practice, 3.) facilitate interprofessional working, 4.) enable an approach that is focused on the individual.

This text is Sally Davis’, MSc, RGN, PGCEA, DipMan first edition. There are an additional seven contributing authors.

Within this text, there are three major topics with nine specific chapters. The three major titles include 1.) Rehabilitation at a Macro and Micro Level, 2.) Models and Theories, 3.) Models in Practice. One of my moments of enjoyment when reviewing this text was during the reading of the Philosophy sections. The author outlined well the meaning of “adopting the philosophy of rehabilitation”; identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the patient including past achievements and their hopes for the future, adopting strategies that facilitate and enable the individual to achieve their full potential, and focus on the patient’s future quality of life.

STRENGTHS
This text allows for many strengths and benefits to the readers. Firstly, as an instructor in a university program, through the general topic is narrow, I am confident that this text would nicely suit as supplementary reading for a university unit in the field of Rehabilitation. There are numerous patient cases that are described and used to clarify a point. These cases are used throughout the text and aid in the “problem based learning” manner commonly utilized in the University-based health education setting.

A concise discussion details easily the varying terms of such interdisciplinary, interprofessional, multidisciplinary, etc. and what makes these terms different. Additionally a topic on collaboration between professions allows for confirmation of the benefits and concerns of rehabilitation implementation.

The Practice Models were well described and were applied practically to the patient cases that have been streamed throughout the text. Specifically, the models discussed included The Canadian Model of Occupational Performance, The Illness Constellation Mode, The PLISSIT and Ex-PLISSIT Models, three different models of Health Promotion, and the Kawa Model.

WEAKNESSES
One weakness, after noting the list of contributing authors, is the strong influence of Occupational Therapists (five associated with occupational therapy, two nurses, and one physiotherapist). Though occupational therapists (and nurses) are very well trained I was concerned whether the text book could meet the objective of “facilitating an interprofessional work”. There is an extensive list of practitioners that play an active role in rehabilitation; nurses, occupational therapists, physical/physio therapists, athletic trainers, osteopaths, chiropractors, general medical practitioners, physiatrists, physician assistants, and exercise physiologists to name a few. Hence the objective of “interprofessional” models and applications may not represent the majority of the rehabilitation healthcare system.

As stated in the Introduction, this text is “by no means an exhaustive list” of Rehabilitation models. I feel this too is a weakness in the text. Because of this, it does not meet the first of the listed objectives, “explore the use of theories and models in rehabilitation”. As a first edition, this may be appropriate. However, a title change to reflect the models described maybe more appropriate. The current title may mislead the prospective reader to presume the text covers a thorough description of rehabilitation theories and models.

In closing, I would recommend this text. I think this text is a fine reference text for the rehabilitation student, one who is required to take a number of Rehabilitation Units of which one of the units covers the varying models and theories of rehabilitation.

Timothy Stark   DC, DACBSP, ICSSD, CKTP, CSCS, LN.
Book Supplied by: Elsevier Australia - www.elsevier.com.au