 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||||
Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
Published Online, January 17, 2006. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1G521
Format: The softcover book is in an easy-to-read format, with learning objectives at the beginning of each section and self-assessment exercises at section end.
Audience and Purpose: The book is designed for pharmacists who want to increase their profile in the community in terms of diabetes care. In particular, the text commences by describing the role of the pharmacist on the diabetes care team. Pharmacy students would also benefit from becoming familiar with the issues presented. It could serve as a reference guide to support their diabetes learning. Most of the important information is summarized in tables for easy reference.
Content: The book is presented in 3 modules: Module 1 deals with epidemiology, risk factors, screening, and complications. The evidence base for management of the disease is briefly reviewed, and the pathway to certification as a diabetes educator is practically described. Module 2 covers the management of the condition, with emphasis on nutritional and physical requirements, followed by a detailed guide to the pharmacological approaches (and alternative therapy) available. Tables are used to great effect to summarize the vast amount of information. Module 3 reviews diabetes education from a theoretical and practical perspective. It seems a shame that this is the only pathway described rather than the steps to becoming a specialist pharmacist in diabetes. The steps to take to empower a patient are presented, although, since this is an area less well understood by pharmacists, perhaps some practical examples could have helped. The approach to improving adherence seems superficial, but may be an area covered well in pharmacy professional courses and, so, is not discussed in the book.
The additional resources described at the end of each section are useful, but perhaps could include more reference to electronic sources, as is done in Module 3 (diabetes education resources).
Highlights: The strength of the book lies in its format, in terms of the modules supported by learning objectives and assessment exercises for self and external review. The book is easy to read and presented in a manner conducive to self study. In addition, the way the pharmacist might fit into the healthcare team, the steps to becoming certified as a diabetes educator, and ways to seek remuneration for diabetes services will be invaluable to community professionals. The book also covers the therapy of the disease in detail.
Limitations: The text appears focused on diabetes education certification rather than on pharmacy specialist certification, but this may well represent the political climate at this point in time. Whereas the need for documentation is referred to, the book is somewhat lacking in examples to help the reader.
Reviewer's Summary: This book will be an excellent reference source for pharmacy students and a guide for community pharmacists seeking to change their practice in diabetes. Practical advice about many issues associated with diabetes education is provided in a format that is easily read and understood.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
