BSc Operating Department Practice - Top 5 Books and Resources

One of the questions I’m always asked by students about to embark on the Operating Department Practice degree is, what books should I buy or what can I read before I start?

The good news is that there are loads of great resources out there and some are free. Those that aren’t can often be obtained online or in hardcopy through the ARU library so you don’t have to spend loads of money on books. However if you’re like me, you might prefer to have your own copy, so it is always worth looking at the second hand copies in online book stores as this can save quite a few pounds and most are like new.

Here’s my top five resources for the course.

1. Ross & Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness

You definitely need to have a good anatomy and physiology book. This one is really useful for the two surgical modules in years 1 and 2. It’s written in clear language with lots of illustrations, it also includes a ‘Review and Revise’ at the end of each section. These are exercises to assist with understanding and recall. It not only covers all the systems in the body, but it also covers basic pathology and pathophysiology of important diseases and disorders.

Physical copies and online access can be obtained through the ARU library.

2. Manual of Perioperative Care – An Essential Guide

This is a good all round book which I’ve probably used for every assignment so far. This book follows the journey that the patient makes through their surgical care, with sections on:

• The foundation for safe and effective perioperative care
• Infection prevention and control
• Patient safety and managing risks
• Different patient care groups
• Approaches to surgery

As it says in the title, this really is an essential guide for a student of ODP. Physical copies and online access can be obtained through the ARU library.

3. Operating Department Practice – Clinical Pocket Guide

This is a great little book which you can take with you whilst on practice. It fits into your scrub pockets and provides a handy reference to all three areas – anaesthetic, surgical scrub and post anaesthetic recovery.

It’s ring bound which makes it easy to flick through quickly and all the pages are laminated which means that you can wipe it without ruining it - just in case it gets splashed with any fluids.

This one’s not available in the library but I would recommend getting your own copy.

4. Perioperative Practice – Case Book

I really enjoyed just reading this book and have probably read it from cover to cover 2-3 times. It actually focuses on the journeys of 20 patients, many of who have undergone operations and procedures which we commonly come across in theatre as students. The book gets the reader to stop and think about how the patient feels at certain stages in their journey. It also gives you a real insight as to how the patient's physiological conditions as well as their personal, social, cultural and emotional needs require individualised care and the challenges that can bring to the practitioner.

I’ve used this book for assignments which require reflection and also to understand what I’ve seen whilst in practice.

Physical copies are available from the ARU library.

5. Perioperative CPD.com perioperativecpd.com/student-zone/

This is a great FREE online resource and useful for your anaesthetic modules as well as the Introduction to Perioperative Practice module at the very beginning of year 1. It will also help with your OSCE assessment of the anaesthetic machine.

The student zone provides a series of modules for beginners new to anaesthetics and covers all the airways basics.

There are sections on:

• Anaesthetic machines
• Laryngoscopes
• Endotracheal tubes
• Supraglottic Airway Devices
• Airway adjuncts and intubation aids
• Laryngeal Airways

There’s even some Anaesthetic revision cards which cover drugs and can be printed off. All the resources are free to study online and you can also download the materials to help with revision and take multiple choice tests to check your understanding.

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Jackie is studying Operating Department Practice at ARU in Chelmsford. To find out more about our degree courses and student life at ARU, book your place at an Open Day.