There are several necessary components of a great textbook. Comprehensible would be high on the list. If the content is understood with ease, the information is more likely to be retained. The opportunity to self-test the subject matter is always good reinforcement. Presentation, organization and visuals are pertinent as well. Lukan's Documentation for Physical Therapist Assistants, 3^rd Edition, by Wendy Bircher, PT, EdD, provides all the components that students need for learning proper documentation skills.

Knowing current and proper documentation is vital to receiving reimbursement for the services physical therapist assistants provide under a licensed physical therapist. They must also address concerns related to HIPAA requirements, legal and ethical issues in practice, third-party reimbursement and patient confidentiality. Being prepared for national licensing exams is essential to being ready for a career in physical therapist assisting.

Lukan's Documentation for Physical Therapist Assistants provides terminology that adheres to the APTA's Guide to Physical Therapist Practice. Examples are offered of appropriate and inappropriate notes, showing what and what not to do. Different types of documentation examples and forms are given to illustrate procedures in different practice settings.

Ten chapters are divided into four parts. The two chapters included in part one discuss the importance of documentation for a PTA. Part two encompasses five chapters dealing with the components of and practical steps for successful documentation. The relationship between documentation and patient care is detailed in the two chapters that make up part three. Finally, the fourth part, comprising the tenth chapter, offers a brief summary section with practice questions.

The chapters include learning objectives to introduce the content of the chapter, definition boxes highlighting example documents and forms and informational reference text providing tests and values, summaries and practice exercises to review the material presented. Chapters are followed by a bibliography, comprehensive glossary and four appendixes.

Appendix A is most useful because it gives abbreviations common in medical documentation. Appendix B is a brief discussion of documenting interventions and examples that seem as if they could have been offered within a chapter rather than the added section. Dictation guidelines are provided in Appendix C. Lastly, APTA-approved documentation guidelines are given.

Basics are provided in regard to electronic documentation as well as references to online examples of software. The author warns of the importance of keeping documentation individualized to the patient rather than overuse of software-offered comments. Although the forms and examples presented are comprehensive, it would have been a beneficial addition if an example of software-generated documentation was provided in this text.

Lukan's Documentation for Physical Therapist Assistants is successful at demonstrating the connection between good documentation and good patient care. Patient care begins with justification of services, essentially coming from the physical therapist within the evaluation. This text emphasizes the importance of clear goals, which are important for continuity of care as well as reimbursement issues.

In many situations, as in a hospital or home care, a PTA may be one of many involved in a patient's care. Clear and concise notes are invaluable in serving the patient. The challenge of reading or interpreting another practitioner's notes should not be a stumbling block to providing efficient care. The size and organization of a hospital chart can be overwhelming. Although this text may not have been the realm to delve into this issue, it could have provided the PTA student with a preparatory example and forewarning.

Providing the information needed to gain basic understanding, Lukan's Documentation for Physical Therapist Assistants is good text and reference for PTAs. The expansion of chapters and further practice exercises are good additions to this 3^rd edition.

Lukan's Documentation for Physical Therapist Assistants, 3^rd Edition is a 210-page, soft-cover text priced at $35.95 and available from F.A. Davis Company, 800-323-3555 or www.fadavis.com

Michele Owens works at an educational collaborative south of Boston.