Telecommunications for Nurses: Providing Successful Distance Education and Telehealth - Book Review

AORN Journal, Feb, 2004 by Donna Lagueux

second edition Myrna L. Armstrong and Shah Frueh, eds 2002, 304 pages $44.95 hardcover

With all the technological advances in medical care today, it is not surprising to see nursing education come into a new era. Telecommunications for Nurses, second edition, provides a vision of the future of education and nursing practice. It is divided into two topics: distance education and telehealth. Its 16 chapters feature the perspectives of 23 authors, all of whom are experts in their fields. Their content presentation is clear and concise. The authors not only describe their experiences, but also predict future trends and applications for telecommunications.

Beginning chapters provide an overview of the use of telecommunications in health care education. This technology promises to provide learning opportunities anytime and anywhere. The book defines distance education and provides a historical perspective. Most of the text is geared toward university faculty members who provide this type of education. It examines such issues as faculty preparation, course presentation, evaluation, and the challenges each issue presents.

The second half of the book explores telehealth--audio and visual transmission of patient information for consultation purposes. This new technology has had a tremendous impact on health care in homes, rural communities, and long-term care facilities. From their offices or workplaces, physicians and non-physician specialists, such as nurse practitioners, quickly can provide input on patient care to advanced-practice nurses. The book also includes a chapter on marketing this service.

The best part of the book is the reference list at the end of each chapter, which gives readers the opportunity to pursue their interest in a particular subject. This book is best suited to professionals interested in expanding their roles in providing education to distant learners through a university system or an advanced nurse practitioner who wants to implement telehealth in a rural community.

This book is available from Springer Publishing Company, 536 Broadway, New York, NY 10012, http://www.springerpub.com.

DONNA LAGUEUX

RN, MSN, CNOR

CLINICAL EDUCATION CONSULTANT

WATERBURY HOSPITAL

WATERBURY, CONN