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Pediatric Clinical Research Pharmacist, Department of Pediatrics, MCHK-PE, Tripler AMC, Hawaii
Published Online, January 11, 2005. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1E444
Format: This soft-cover book contains 16 chapters, a glossary of terms, a section on educational materials and resources (including community support), and a complete index. It is written at approximately the 12th-grade reading level.
Audience: The intended audience is parents or caregivers of children with asthma; however, this book is also an excellent primer reference for healthcare providers and students interested in learning more about current asthma practice. It also describes the unique and often difficult challenges present in the pediatric population.
Purpose: The book is a concerted effort of pediatricians and nurse practitioners at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and was partially funded by a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts. The objective is to create a useful reference for parents and caregivers by clearly explaining asthma and its management. The book provides an in-depth look into pediatric asthma management, targeting methodologies parents can utilize to achieve better understanding and, ultimately, better disease control. The editors' goal is to provide a tool for everyday life that can assist in the achievement of every parent's dream, for their child to lead a normal life.
Content: The book contains up-to-date clinical information on asthma, as well as techniques that enable families to manage their child's asthma. Included are chapters on pathophysiology, diagnosis, trigger control, treatment, types of medications and delivery systems, instructions for use of medications and devices, managing an asthma flare-up, what to do in case of an emergency, family dynamics, sports and exercise, transmission of age-appropriate information (from infants to teenagers), travel, and community and healthcare institution issues. The book also includes portrayals of children with asthma in vignettes, a discussion of complementary medication use, and a separate section on educational materials such as illustrated inhaler technique instructions and examples of an asthma action plan and home management plan.
Usability: Editors incorporated current treatment practices from National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) guidelines into this complete reference on asthma education. The material is well organized, thorough, and easy to follow. The book is reasonably priced and is a useful tool for the parent or caregiver of a child with asthma.
Highlights: The book is a culmination of years of experience and knowledge of healthcare professionals dedicated to helping children with asthma lead normal lives. I commend the editors for not using the commonly used term "asthmatic child," which implies that the disease defines the child, but as "children with asthma." They emphasize that the disease can be controlled and the children can lead normal lives. The only limitation I can identify is that the reading level may be too high for some parents.
Comparison with Previous Edition: All chapters have been updated from the previous edition published 10 years ago. The book is up-to-date and consistent with NHLBI guidelines for the treatment of asthma. It could be used in required or elective courses in an introductory healthcare program's pharmacotherapy course.
Summary: The book is well written and organized. It contains in-depth information on pediatric asthma management and will be a useful reference tool for the family with a newly diagnosed child as well as children with an established asthma diagnosis. The book also contains pertinent information for entry-level pharmacists, pharmacy students, and other healthcare professionals interested in an informative introduction to pediatric asthma.
Footnotes
The views expressed in this book review are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the US Government.
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