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Mathematics Explained for Healthcare Practitioners
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Mathematics Explained for Healthcare Practitioners

First Edition


January 2013 | 264 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
If you find mathematics a struggle, or if mathematics makes you panic - whether you're a student preparing for a calculations test, or a qualified healthcare professional - this is the book for you.

Its focus is first and foremost on helping you develop a proper and lasting understanding of mathematical concepts and processes in a healthcare context, with an emphasis on developing mental strategies to reinforce your feeling for number and numerical relationships. Clear, accessible chapters take you step-by-step through specific sets of objectives, and once you feel you have fully mastered a particular mathematical process, you're encouraged to practise your skills through a range of practical examples. Each chapter also contains a 'Spot the Errors' feature designed to reflect the busy, pressurised healthcare environment.

Written by Derek Haylock, a best-selling mathematics educator, and Paul Warburton, co-ordinator of the Non-Medical Prescribing programme at Edge Hill University, the book is directly linked to the NMC's competencies and will give you the confidence to perform the safe, error-free calculations required of all healthcare professionals.


 
Introduction
 
Understanding the Number System
 
Addition and Subtraction Skills
 
Multiplication and Division Skills
 
Units of Length
 
Units of Liquid Volume
 
Units of Weight
 
Using a Calculator
 
Rounding
 
Calculations with Decimal Numbers
 
Imperial Units Still in Use
 
Understanding Fractions and Ratios
 
Proportionality and 'Per'
 
Percentages
 
Miscellaneous Mathematics
 
Application
 
Answers to Check-ups
Index

 

'The perfect resource for any health care student that wants to improve their number skills and increase their confidence. The book contains lots of visual aids and exercises, going right back to basics. A must read' -
Natasha Eccles, student, BN Child Nursing, University of Glamorgan


'This book is a breath of fresh air. It starts by giving the reader a sound understanding of numeracy, before applying this to real life situations. A must read for every student of health care, and for a fair proportion of those already qualified' -
Patric Devitt, University of Salford


 

Although the introduction aims to reassure [the reader], there is a serious message about the importance of numeracy in achieving high standards of care and its relationship to professional accountability. The book is well structured and easy to follow. It reinforces the rules and strategies that are taught at school, which we should all revisit and practise, especially under pressure. I recommend it as a personal reference guide for qualified and pre-registration staff.

Karen Campbell
Macmillan Lecturer in Cancer Nursing, Edinburgh Napier University
Cancer Nursing Practice

[The book] covers all the areas that a healthcare professional will need to improve skills. The book could assist in teaching nursing students, and others, about this important aspect of healthcare practice.

Ruth Taylor
Deputy Dean, Quality and Student Experience, Anglia Ruskin University
Primary Health Care

This excellent and highly accessible book is a great resource for learners, practitioners and teachers alike, covering a comprehensive array of mathematical principles and applying them to various contexts...Everyday situations are used to illustrate points throughout the book along with specific clinical applications, which serves to engage the reader and increase the accessibility of the text.

Alison Taylor, senior lecturer in Child Health Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Brighton
Nursing Times

This is an easy to read book. The format and style of the book is user-friendly. The content is presented in a logical way and provides a step by step approach to the mathematics. This is another book that will supplement the important topic of drug calculations in nursing and midwifery.

Dr Jean Rankin
Health, Nursing & Midwifery (Paisley), University of the West of Scotland
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Book is ok. Maybe not the best book to be used in nursing studies

Miss Anna Partanen
Nursing , Helsinki Polytechnic Stadia
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I believe this text would be more suitable for 3rd Year students. I feel that the text could be more visually appealing .As some students respond to colour and graphics to help them learn. I found the "error activities" useful for the students. "

Miss Delyth Owen
Faculty of Health (Ormskirk), Edge Hill University
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thought this could be a really useful book for those who struggle with calculations on the course. I particularly liked the spot the errors sections

Miss Justine Raynsford
School of Life Sciences, Bradford University
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Gives a good overview of basic numeracy skills, although some parts were quite complicated.

Miss Sarah Coulson
Care, Sport and Leisure, Tyne Metropolitan College
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This text is easy to follow and can help those who lack confidence in calculations to develop and enhnace their skills

Mr Andrew Southgate
Adult Nursing Department, Canterbury Christ Church University
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