Onehealthpro

VACCINATIONS: IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Michael Palmer's book Fatal addresses key issues related to vaccinations.  Palmer's ability to weave his medical knowledge into his fictional account is breathtaking.  His book takes readers on an exciting journey as Palmer's lead character, Dr. Matt Rutledge, works to uncover secrets of environmental pollution.  As Matt pursues his goal, he discovers his greatest fear is overshadowed by an even deadlier deception.  Dr. Rutledge pursues the truth with determination and heart. 

Palmer has crafted a lead character who chases solutions for his patients and in the process uncovers answers that lead to personal joy.  And...Dr. Rutledge will help you understand why people enjoy riding motorcycles.     

HOLIDAY TREATS

Diane Mott Davidson's mystery Killer Pancake would make a great gift for mystery readers who care about health care and nutrition.  If you read Davidson's mysteries then you know her books are loaded with recipes and a great story.  In Killer Pancake, Davidson's lead character is charged with providing low fat food for a catering event.  If you have friends or family who enjoy reading mysteries, give them a copy of Davidson's book and bake them a batch of her Vanilla-Frosted Fudge Cookies.  You can find the recipe on page 52 in Killer Pancake.

LOW FAT HOLIDAY MEALS

Cooking without Fat by George Mateljan is loaded with delicious low fat recipes, including fancy desserts.  Mateljan is the founder and CEO of Health Valley Foods.  His cookbook offers a 5 day meal plan for those interested in reducing the fat in their diets.  You'll also find nutritional tips, including the danger of combining fat and sugar in meals.  Give your family a great gift this holiday season---heart healthy meals.

DR. DEAN ORNISH

Nutrition may not be a popular topic this time of year, but it is an important one.  If you are a cardiac patient, work with cardiac patients or have friends who fall into either of those categories, there is one book that all affected should read.  Dr. Dean Ornish's book Reversing Heart Disease will give you hope.  The high saturated fat and transfat diet we consume puts all of us at risk for heart disease.  Cardiac patients who want more information about how to protect their health and professionals who are dedicated to giving their patients the information they need to stay healthy need to see the information in Dr. Ornish's book.

HOSPICE CARE DONE RIGHT

A central character in Martha Grimes' murder mystery The Lamorna Wink is a wealthy man who buys a mansion and turns it into a hospice.  He's able to provide first class service and amenities and the patients in the hospice enjoy their stay.  Meals are prepared by a first rate chef, served on china and the dinner hour is accompanied by live musical performances.  I found the plotting of the book to be a tad complicated, but Grimes' use of the language is lyrical.  If you enjoy plot complexity and admire the skill of a writer who can work magic with words, you will enjoy her book.

THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN'S BRIEF HISTORY

Love the title of Thomas L. Friedman's groundbreaking book on globalization:  The World is Flat:  A Brief History of The Twenty-First Century.  The book is over five hundred pages so I'm guessing when he writes an in-depth history of the twenty-first century, we'll need a wheelbarrow to tote the book from room to room.  Couldn't resist poking fun at the title, but I'm delighted Friedman's book offers a detailed analysis.  I grow weary of superficial fixes to complex issues because they never work.  My journey reading the brief history began a few days ago; I'll keep you posted as I progress.

HEALTH CARE COSTS

I have a plan to reduce health care costs, increase health care recruitment and retention rates and reduce stress and burnout.  Before you decide I'm hallucinating, I'll tell you my plan.  All human beings should be required to start their day with a belly laugh.  That's right.  Laughing out loud is a great cardiovascular workout and the endorphins released during laughter will cause us to feel better for hours.   Every home in America should be stocked with a small library of humor books to provoke laugh attacks.  I recommend Scott Adams' book The Dilbert Future:  Thriving on Stupidity in the 21st Century.  Anything Dave Barry writes is also a safe bet for side splitting enjoyment.   

ER NURSE SPEAKS OUT

You'll laugh.  You'll cry.  You'll understand.  In his book Mystic Nurse:  Four Years in the ER, Pat Colwell gives an honest accounting of his transition from terrified neophyte ER nurse to competent professional.  His compassion shines through his descriptions of ER patients, their families and his coworkers...including physicians.  Pat's book would be a great resource for health care students and new employees in an emergency room.  These newcomers would learn they are not alone in their fear and that fear can be conquered.  They will also learn the value of experienced mentors who care enough to extend their encouragement and wisdom, promoting professionalism with word and deed.  When you read Mystic Nurse, you'll understand that Pat Colwell learned valuable professional, spiritual and life lessons while working in the ER.  I'm glad he decided to share his insights by writing Mystic Nurse.  You can find Pat's book at www.lulu.com or on amazon.  Check out another review of Pat's book at www.emergiblog.com/2007/04/the-emergiblog-book-review-mystic-nurse.html

TWICE DEAD

Eleanor Sullivan's murder mystery Twice Dead will appeal to everyone working in health care.  Her lead character, Monika Everhardt, is a fabulous nurse who runs a busy ICU.  Monika faces the challenges of staffing shortages, budget cuts and increased patient care needs with professionalism and spunk.  Then she sets out to identify the culprit behind a murder in her ICU.  The only regret you'll have after reading this great mystery is that Monika is a fictional character rather than a real nurse.  However, the nurse who created Monika and wrote the book is very real and she brings authenticity to novel.  You can find the book on the amazon link below or visit Eleanor's website at www.eleanorsullivan.com 

YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK

Maggie Lichtenberg's book The Open Heart Companion is a must read for professionals who work with cardiac patients and the patients themselves.  Maggie experienced open heart surgery and uses her patient insights to guide readers through planning for and recovering from surgery.  She offers insights about communicating with physicians.  Maggie provides excellent suggestions for engaging a home care support system, including planning assistance for the patient's primary caregiver.  She defines the rocky road of recovery while offering strategies to lessen the trauma.  Her book concludes with a comprehensive list of recommended resources.