Side-Fx

A simple magic trick can pull a patient's attention away from the stressors of the clinical and take them to a realm of possibilities - a realm of hope, humor and trust. We hospital clowns do it all the time. Here is a book written for medical staff using "stuff" that is just around the clinic. This fabulous book will give medical staff enough "know how" to be able to use magic to enter this playful relationship. Can you find a better realm in which to practice your medicine? -- Shobi Dobi, Editor of The Hospital Clown Newsletter

If you work in healthcare, this book is a fun resource that will help you inject fun into your interactions with patients. I love magic, and was impressed by the level of the tricks taught in this book. They aren't silly - some of them are actually professional level! I liked the clear illustrations. They make the tricks easy to learn, even if you've never opened a "magic book" before. Tokar and Carroll knew exactly who their target audience was when they wrote this: medical professionals. If you want to win over your patients fast, this book is definitely for you.

Scott and Harrison have come up with a creative and fun solution towards maximizing the doctor/patient relationship, especially with pediatrics. This simple and easy to follow book and companion DVD is a must have for doctors working with children but even adults will enjoy the magic. And these tricks are not just for doctors, anyone can do it. And it especially helps with those difficult times when immunizations for the under 10 crowd are a must! Great job Scott and Harrison!

My name is Greg Kuhn and I work for my father, Dr. Clifford Kuhn, America's Laugh Doctor. Dr. Kuhn retired as the Associate Chair of the acclaimed University of Louisville School of Medicine's Department of Psychiatry in order to devote all his time and energy to spread a vital message: Fun is the key to our optimal health and success! I write all this to qualify myself; I am quite familiar with this field. Side-Fx is indispensible for anyone working in the health care field - especially if you work with children. Having the ability to reduce the tension of a waiting room and the subsequent exam is a priceless resource and results in happier, healthier patients. Every health care provider's office in America should have a copy of this excellent resource!

This book was a great idea, and long overdue! Apparently it is not officially released yet, but I had the opportunity to see a copy of the book that the author had with him at a convention. It is very well written and the illustrations (line drawings) are presented clearly. As noted, the effects performed all use common materials present in any medical office and are relatively simple to perform (if you have enough dexterity to work in medicine, you can pull of these effects!) While this is geared mostly toward reducing the anxiety of pediatric patients, it would probably brighten just about anyone's day. I highly recommend this book if you can find it.