Psychological interventions in childhood chronic illness /

Drotar (Case Western Reserve Univ. School of Medicine) and contributors have produced an excellent book for all those involved with children (and adults) with chronic illness. The book describes evidence-based practice guidelines for managing illness, increasing patient compliance with therapy, and improving psychological outcomes that are, in many instances, a result of coping successfully with a chronic illness. Included are specific recommendations for children experiencing asthma exacerbations or reactive airway disease, diabetes mellitus, cancer, sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Contributors describe multiple proven interventions that impact the positive adaptation of children and their families to living with chronic illness. Researchers will benefit from the strategies related to data collection, clinical research, and interventional research. The book exemplifies what a work focused on using research to assist others should encompass. It also offers ideas for policymaking on several health issues. The examples are very comprehensively described, and give readers ideas to apply in their own practice, along with the evidence-based practice guidelines. The concluding chapter presents a detailed agenda for conducting future work on psychological interventions. The 40-page reference list will be helpful to anyone wanting to delve deeper into the topics covered. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates through professionals/practitioners. S. C. Grossman Fairfield University