In review: featured book and app library

As a physiotherapist who recently qualified as an independent prescriber, I was pleased to review this handbook. I work in the community with patients who have long-term conditions.

 

The first chapter gives a helpful review of key pharmacological terms, such as pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Pharmacokinetic parameters, such as half-life and first-pass effect, were explained clearly.

 

Subsequent chapters are linked to the physiological system that the drugs affect, for example the cardiovascular system. The final chapter focuses on medication issues in young people and older people. 

 

Chapters that were relevant to my practice were clearly laid out with well-labelled diagrams. I found the tables relating to particular physiological systems were especially helpful. These contained lists of drugs, mechanism of action, indications, side-effects and common dosage range. Above all, everything related to the physiotherapist’s daily practice. 

 

In a climate in which poly-pharmacy and the pharmacological and non-pharmacological management of conditions often run alongside, I believe the book would be a useful resource for all physiotherapists – whether they are prescribers or not. Members studying at undergraduate level would find this a useful resource, perhaps taking it on placements in a range of clinical areas. While kidney function is covered in the section on older people towards the end of the book, I would have found it helpful to have seen more on this in the section on pharmacokinetics.

 

In summary, I found the material was easy to follow and not overwhelming. It is not a book to be read in one sitting but will act as a useful adjunct to my day-to-day practice as my career as an independent prescriber progresses.  

Public Health England (PHE) has launched a Be Food Smart app from Change4Life. This highlights the amount of sugar, saturated fat and salt found in everyday foods and drinks. The app aims to help families make choices about they consume. Alison Tedstone, PHE chief nutritionist, said: ‘Children have far too much sugar, and a lot of it is before their first lesson of the day.’ The app is available from the iTunes store or Google Play. 

This book by a physio aims to cultivate resilience among healthcare professionals. She suggests they should begin by being compassionate towards themselves.  

In this book, sports professionals reveal their mind-training secrets. Each ‘secret’ is introduced by a professional who explains how important that aspect of mind-training is to them and how it has enabled them to gain success in their chosen field. 

Playing golf is not limited to young professionals, around one player in three (35 per cent) being aged over 50. Written by a physiotherapist with 30 years’ experience, this book shows golfers how to stay fit and healthy by offering specific techniques that could cut potential injuries.  

NHS England has created an apps library, which will grow in due course. The library includes apps designed to help patients with conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, dementia and breast cancer. Feedback on using the digital tools is encouraged to ensure they meet acceptable standards of quality, safety and effectiveness.   See https://apps.beta.nhs.uk