A Must for Student Nurses!, 29 Apr 2005
I've lost count the times I have used this book for assignments - very useful covering every subject imaginable

mine is well used, 19 Jul 2002
This book is a very good book for any student nurse at any level. I have been able to use this text book quite alot and have found it very easy to understand. The price has meant some of my friends have not bought it. However when time comes for assignments we all know that the libraries never have enough copies

A Must for Student Nurses!, 29 Apr 2005
I've lost count the times I have used this book for assignments - very useful covering every subject imaginable

mine is well used, 19 Jul 2002
This book is a very good book for any student nurse at any level. I have been able to use this text book quite alot and have found it very easy to understand. The price has meant some of my friends have not bought it. However when time comes for assignments we all know that the libraries never have enough copies

Mental Health Act 2007 - Explained at last ..........., 30 May 2008
As a mental health student nurse studying for a BSc (hons) Degree, there are two areas that I continually struggle with day in and day out, the first is medication and the second is the Mental Health Act 1983, can you imagine the confusion when the Amended Mental Health Act 2007 came out. This book has been really good for me as it not only includes the full mental health act but also the amendments from 2007. also, this book includes mental capacity act. Basically, it has everything you need to help you plough through the current legislation in preparation for the 2007 act implementation in October. Details of certain mental act sections are easily located and explained. I did ponder about awarding 4 stars to this publication as a lot of the work tends to be a little wordy and could have been written in a much more basic form, but it cannot be faulted for it's content, therefore it got 5 stars. I am a degree student and found some of the chapters really hard going, but saying that, the mental health act is very difficult to read through. the book is concise and accurate and does explain a great deal about legislation background and how the amendment came about and what fuelled it's implementation. Overall this book would benefit any psychiatric student, mental health worker, approved social worker or mental health related doctors. Basically anyone who has dealings with mental health services on a professional level. as a student, i am very selective of the publications I purchase, this is one of the very very very few books that bring in the new 2007 mental health act, therefore it warranted a purchase and I am very pleased I did. It is well written, contains detailed explanations and above all, set out easily so certain information can be easily and quickly found. To keep its different sections apart it is split into 2 sections, the first is around the reform of the mental health act and the second is in regards to the mental capacity act. As it states in the book the title is a little misleading as it is really a book about two pieces of legislation, the mental health act 1983 and the mental capacity act 2005 as they have been amended by the 2007 act.
Overall, a great book, well put together. I would recommend this book to anyone who is studying to be in or already in the mental health services. Paul Bowen has put together a publication that can put to bed any confusing thoughts you had around the mental health act and as I have said before, in great time as the new act comes into affect in October 2008. This book is a credit to my collection of mental health related academic literature.

A Must for Student Nurses!, 29 Apr 2005
I've lost count the times I have used this book for assignments - very useful covering every subject imaginable

mine is well used, 19 Jul 2002
This book is a very good book for any student nurse at any level. I have been able to use this text book quite alot and have found it very easy to understand. The price has meant some of my friends have not bought it. However when time comes for assignments we all know that the libraries never have enough copies

Mental Health Act 2007 - Explained at last ..........., 30 May 2008
As a mental health student nurse studying for a BSc (hons) Degree, there are two areas that I continually struggle with day in and day out, the first is medication and the second is the Mental Health Act 1983, can you imagine the confusion when the Amended Mental Health Act 2007 came out. This book has been really good for me as it not only includes the full mental health act but also the amendments from 2007. also, this book includes mental capacity act. Basically, it has everything you need to help you plough through the current legislation in preparation for the 2007 act implementation in October. Details of certain mental act sections are easily located and explained. I did ponder about awarding 4 stars to this publication as a lot of the work tends to be a little wordy and could have been written in a much more basic form, but it cannot be faulted for it's content, therefore it got 5 stars. I am a degree student and found some of the chapters really hard going, but saying that, the mental health act is very difficult to read through. the book is concise and accurate and does explain a great deal about legislation background and how the amendment came about and what fuelled it's implementation. Overall this book would benefit any psychiatric student, mental health worker, approved social worker or mental health related doctors. Basically anyone who has dealings with mental health services on a professional level. as a student, i am very selective of the publications I purchase, this is one of the very very very few books that bring in the new 2007 mental health act, therefore it warranted a purchase and I am very pleased I did. It is well written, contains detailed explanations and above all, set out easily so certain information can be easily and quickly found. To keep its different sections apart it is split into 2 sections, the first is around the reform of the mental health act and the second is in regards to the mental capacity act. As it states in the book the title is a little misleading as it is really a book about two pieces of legislation, the mental health act 1983 and the mental capacity act 2005 as they have been amended by the 2007 act.
Overall, a great book, well put together. I would recommend this book to anyone who is studying to be in or already in the mental health services. Paul Bowen has put together a publication that can put to bed any confusing thoughts you had around the mental health act and as I have said before, in great time as the new act comes into affect in October 2008. This book is a credit to my collection of mental health related academic literature.




Very comprehensive- Covers everything you need to know for Ethics, GMC and Medico-legal issues, 16 Jun 2008
The second edition of Hopes Medical Ethics and Law is an update to this successful and authoritative book which has become a firm favourite for many students over the years. With the exception of some important definitions the subject of medical ethics and law is not one easily learnt by wrote from a textbook. In fact discussion is key to learning the subject so Hope aids this by proving a magnitude of case studies and examples which really help to put theses complex principles into perspective. All the important essential issues students and junior doctors require to be familiar with are covered with the addition of information on the latest topics of end of life care, application of genetics, rationing of healthcare and research ethics. A particular helpful chapter introduces the aspects of law relating to medicine in a simple, plain English way for humble medical student. All in all it covers all the material the GMC would have us know plus more, in a simple and accessible way with plenty of detail and examples along the way.

A Must for Student Nurses!, 29 Apr 2005
I've lost count the times I have used this book for assignments - very useful covering every subject imaginable

mine is well used, 19 Jul 2002
This book is a very good book for any student nurse at any level. I have been able to use this text book quite alot and have found it very easy to understand. The price has meant some of my friends have not bought it. However when time comes for assignments we all know that the libraries never have enough copies

Mental Health Act 2007 - Explained at last ..........., 30 May 2008
As a mental health student nurse studying for a BSc (hons) Degree, there are two areas that I continually struggle with day in and day out, the first is medication and the second is the Mental Health Act 1983, can you imagine the confusion when the Amended Mental Health Act 2007 came out. This book has been really good for me as it not only includes the full mental health act but also the amendments from 2007. also, this book includes mental capacity act. Basically, it has everything you need to help you plough through the current legislation in preparation for the 2007 act implementation in October. Details of certain mental act sections are easily located and explained. I did ponder about awarding 4 stars to this publication as a lot of the work tends to be a little wordy and could have been written in a much more basic form, but it cannot be faulted for it's content, therefore it got 5 stars. I am a degree student and found some of the chapters really hard going, but saying that, the mental health act is very difficult to read through. the book is concise and accurate and does explain a great deal about legislation background and how the amendment came about and what fuelled it's implementation. Overall this book would benefit any psychiatric student, mental health worker, approved social worker or mental health related doctors. Basically anyone who has dealings with mental health services on a professional level. as a student, i am very selective of the publications I purchase, this is one of the very very very few books that bring in the new 2007 mental health act, therefore it warranted a purchase and I am very pleased I did. It is well written, contains detailed explanations and above all, set out easily so certain information can be easily and quickly found. To keep its different sections apart it is split into 2 sections, the first is around the reform of the mental health act and the second is in regards to the mental capacity act. As it states in the book the title is a little misleading as it is really a book about two pieces of legislation, the mental health act 1983 and the mental capacity act 2005 as they have been amended by the 2007 act.
Overall, a great book, well put together. I would recommend this book to anyone who is studying to be in or already in the mental health services. Paul Bowen has put together a publication that can put to bed any confusing thoughts you had around the mental health act and as I have said before, in great time as the new act comes into affect in October 2008. This book is a credit to my collection of mental health related academic literature.




Very comprehensive- Covers everything you need to know for Ethics, GMC and Medico-legal issues, 16 Jun 2008
The second edition of Hopes Medical Ethics and Law is an update to this successful and authoritative book which has become a firm favourite for many students over the years. With the exception of some important definitions the subject of medical ethics and law is not one easily learnt by wrote from a textbook. In fact discussion is key to learning the subject so Hope aids this by proving a magnitude of case studies and examples which really help to put theses complex principles into perspective. All the important essential issues students and junior doctors require to be familiar with are covered with the addition of information on the latest topics of end of life care, application of genetics, rationing of healthcare and research ethics. A particular helpful chapter introduces the aspects of law relating to medicine in a simple, plain English way for humble medical student. All in all it covers all the material the GMC would have us know plus more, in a simple and accessible way with plenty of detail and examples along the way.

Mostly good but some obvious deficiencies, 20 Oct 2007
Although a largely useful reference, the chapters are of variable quality and don't always address issues that are of most value to practicing OPs. The most notable lack is a chapter dedicated to CFS or other similarly difficult diseases that are commonly encountered in practice. What information there is on CFS is contradictory and hence somewhat unhelpful to the reader. However a useful resource nevertheless, and a book that all involved in Occupational Medicine should have available to them.


fitness for work, 08 Dec 2004
good and informative, without being exhausting. makes good study book and relevant to occupation. focused and clearly written. the only flaw may be not including pictures.

How To Be Healthy Though Working, 31 Jan 2002
This substantial book contains a wealth of useful information on matters of concern to employees and employers. It would be an excellent acquisition for any workplace
fortunate enough to possess a library, and ideally should be widely available for consultation as the need may arise. Certainly Personnel, Health and Safety, and Welfare specialists as well as rank-and-file workers might have occasion to refer to it from time to time. Its coverage is extensive and authoritative - there are nearly 30 chapters by different expert authors. A few highlights may give a flavour of the work.
In Chapter 2 'Legal Aspects', readers are reminded of provisions under common law (in England, but Employment protection law applies in Scotland in the same way), statute law, and European directives. Employers have a common law duty of reasonable care, and are required to guard against reasonably foreseeable risks, while employees need to take reasonable care and cooperate with safety measures. Chapter 3 expounds the specific provisions and consequences for employers and OPs of the Disability Discrimination Act, while Chapter 5 makes the point that the Occupational Physician's (OP) role differs from that of other specialists and GPs, emphasising that whatever conflicts of interest or loyalty may arise, the interests of the individual patient must, ethically, come first. There should be no conflict between the 'business ethics' of the company and the OP's own as a doctor, and he/she should strive to influence the company in this regard.
The important topic of stress is dealt with in Chapter 7, 'Psychiatric Disorders', the working definition of a stressful situation being one of disparity between the demands made on a worker and his/her ability to respond, where the worker has little or no control, and may be actual or perceived. Work-related stressors may be intrinsic to the job, role-related or interpersonal. More generally, the line taken is that the psychological environment should be assessed in the way accepted as appropriate for physical, chemical and biological hazards; a participative approach is advocated in preference to an autocratic style of management. Chapters 11, on Spinal Disorders, and 25 on Alcohol and Drug Misuse, are like the rest of the book very competently presented, and would be good to have on hand to refer to in case of need. In a final Chapter, 27, the topic is an increasingly high-profile one, 'Work and the Older Employee'. Information and advice is given on healthy ageing and production, with the aim of correcting some of the limitations often imposed on members of this group, stemming from stereotypes that should be challenged, such as the belief that ability/motivation to learn new skills deteriorates with age. The book's overall message might be paraphrased to the effect that the contribution of workers of all kinds and at all levels should be appreciated and encouraged in a way that does them no harm. Half a dozen appendices, references, address list and index add further use-value to this hefty and worthwhile tome.

A Must for Student Nurses!, 29 Apr 2005
I've lost count the times I have used this book for assignments - very useful covering every subject imaginable

mine is well used, 19 Jul 2002
This book is a very good book for any student nurse at any level. I have been able to use this text book quite alot and have found it very easy to understand. The price has meant some of my friends have not bought it. However when time comes for assignments we all know that the libraries never have enough copies

Mental Health Act 2007 - Explained at last ..........., 30 May 2008
As a mental health student nurse studying for a BSc (hons) Degree, there are two areas that I continually struggle with day in and day out, the first is medication and the second is the Mental Health Act 1983, can you imagine the confusion when the Amended Mental Health Act 2007 came out. This book has been really good for me as it not only includes the full mental health act but also the amendments from 2007. also, this book includes mental capacity act. Basically, it has everything you need to help you plough through the current legislation in preparation for the 2007 act implementation in October. Details of certain mental act sections are easily located and explained. I did ponder about awarding 4 stars to this publication as a lot of the work tends to be a little wordy and could have been written in a much more basic form, but it cannot be faulted for it's content, therefore it got 5 stars. I am a degree student and found some of the chapters really hard going, but saying that, the mental health act is very difficult to read through. the book is concise and accurate and does explain a great deal about legislation background and how the amendment came about and what fuelled it's implementation. Overall this book would benefit any psychiatric student, mental health worker, approved social worker or mental health related doctors. Basically anyone who has dealings with mental health services on a professional level. as a student, i am very selective of the publications I purchase, this is one of the very very very few books that bring in the new 2007 mental health act, therefore it warranted a purchase and I am very pleased I did. It is well written, contains detailed explanations and above all, set out easily so certain information can be easily and quickly found. To keep its different sections apart it is split into 2 sections, the first is around the reform of the mental health act and the second is in regards to the mental capacity act. As it states in the book the title is a little misleading as it is really a book about two pieces of legislation, the mental health act 1983 and the mental capacity act 2005 as they have been amended by the 2007 act.
Overall, a great book, well put together. I would recommend this book to anyone who is studying to be in or already in the mental health services. Paul Bowen has put together a publication that can put to bed any confusing thoughts you had around the mental health act and as I have said before, in great time as the new act comes into affect in October 2008. This book is a credit to my collection of mental health related academic literature.




Very comprehensive- Covers everything you need to know for Ethics, GMC and Medico-legal issues, 16 Jun 2008
The second edition of Hopes Medical Ethics and Law is an update to this successful and authoritative book which has become a firm favourite for many students over the years. With the exception of some important definitions the subject of medical ethics and law is not one easily learnt by wrote from a textbook. In fact discussion is key to learning the subject so Hope aids this by proving a magnitude of case studies and examples which really help to put theses complex principles into perspective. All the important essential issues students and junior doctors require to be familiar with are covered with the addition of information on the latest topics of end of life care, application of genetics, rationing of healthcare and research ethics. A particular helpful chapter introduces the aspects of law relating to medicine in a simple, plain English way for humble medical student. All in all it covers all the material the GMC would have us know plus more, in a simple and accessible way with plenty of detail and examples along the way.

Mostly good but some obvious deficiencies, 20 Oct 2007
Although a largely useful reference, the chapters are of variable quality and don't always address issues that are of most value to practicing OPs. The most notable lack is a chapter dedicated to CFS or other similarly difficult diseases that are commonly encountered in practice. What information there is on CFS is contradictory and hence somewhat unhelpful to the reader. However a useful resource nevertheless, and a book that all involved in Occupational Medicine should have available to them.


fitness for work, 08 Dec 2004
good and informative, without being exhausting. makes good study book and relevant to occupation. focused and clearly written. the only flaw may be not including pictures.

How To Be Healthy Though Working, 31 Jan 2002
This substantial book contains a wealth of useful information on matters of concern to employees and employers. It would be an excellent acquisition for any workplace
fortunate enough to possess a library, and ideally should be widely available for consultation as the need may arise. Certainly Personnel, Health and Safety, and Welfare specialists as well as rank-and-file workers might have occasion to refer to it from time to time. Its coverage is extensive and authoritative - there are nearly 30 chapters by different expert authors. A few highlights may give a flavour of the work.
In Chapter 2 'Legal Aspects', readers are reminded of provisions under common law (in England, but Employment protection law applies in Scotland in the same way), statute law, and European directives. Employers have a common law duty of reasonable care, and are required to guard against reasonably foreseeable risks, while employees need to take reasonable care and cooperate with safety measures. Chapter 3 expounds the specific provisions and consequences for employers and OPs of the Disability Discrimination Act, while Chapter 5 makes the point that the Occupational Physician's (OP) role differs from that of other specialists and GPs, emphasising that whatever conflicts of interest or loyalty may arise, the interests of the individual patient must, ethically, come first. There should be no conflict between the 'business ethics' of the company and the OP's own as a doctor, and he/she should strive to influence the company in this regard.
The important topic of stress is dealt with in Chapter 7, 'Psychiatric Disorders', the working definition of a stressful situation being one of disparity between the demands made on a worker and his/her ability to respond, where the worker has little or no control, and may be actual or perceived. Work-related stressors may be intrinsic to the job, role-related or interpersonal. More generally, the line taken is that the psychological environment should be assessed in the way accepted as appropriate for physical, chemical and biological hazards; a participative approach is advocated in preference to an autocratic style of management. Chapters 11, on Spinal Disorders, and 25 on Alcohol and Drug Misuse, are like the rest of the book very competently presented, and would be good to have on hand to refer to in case of need. In a final Chapter, 27, the topic is an increasingly high-profile one, 'Work and the Older Employee'. Information and advice is given on healthy ageing and production, with the aim of correcting some of the limitations often imposed on members of this group, stemming from stereotypes that should be challenged, such as the belief that ability/motivation to learn new skills deteriorates with age. The book's overall message might be paraphrased to the effect that the contribution of workers of all kinds and at all levels should be appreciated and encouraged in a way that does them no harm. Half a dozen appendices, references, address list and index add further use-value to this hefty and worthwhile tome.

Cuts like a scythe through your preconceptions, 06 Sep 2008
I bought this book because from her previous writing I already knew that the author had analysed some of the same source documents about the discovery of HIV that I had and come to the same conclusions. It was already a subject about which I considered myself fairly knowledgeable so I was eager to see what a whole book's worth of investigation would reveal. In the event I found it absolutely stunning to read.

Most people write informational books as if they have the answers all sorted out by the time they've started writing. Janine's is more of an exciting roller-coaster journey of discovery through biology, more like 'Indiana Jones and the trail of death'. She starts off following the trail of some loose thread, but ends up sweeping across biological plains, climbing immunological mountains and traversing dangerous virological crevasses. Her writing proceeds with pace, and with a penetrating fact here and incisive analysis there, neatly and devastatingly severing the tendons of many preconceptions, leavin them floundering in her wake - but, leaving behind an alternative model of understanding that, for me at least, on several occasions correlated with personal experiences and pretty comprehensively just made so much sense. But then she drags you after her as she chases the next horizon set by the questions that have just been raised by the new discoveries. Both the breadth ad depth of her research and understanding are very impressive yet key points and principles are clearly explained and easy to follow.

This really is quite a breathtaking read, even for someone already relatively well-versed in detailed scientific technicalities of some of the topics covered. For many people it really will be a perception-changing book regarding some sacred cows of medical science that have a direct impact on our every day lives and our perception of the world being such a hostile biological place. It left me with more respect for the complexity and intelligence hidden in our own bodies.

Something I find really annoying in most books that cite various sources is when the references are at the end of the chapter or most commonly right at the back of the book, making it more difficult to look things up. Fortunately, Janine has sensibly placed references and extra detailed notes at the bottom of the page so they are easier to follow. Also, some of the most shocking documents that reveal the extent of Robert Gallo's claim to have found the cause of AIDS was far more comprehensively fraudulent than any of the official investigations have acknowledged, are reproduced in full at the end of the book. However these are a bit hard to read and could have been made clearer.

In summary, I found this book so important that I immediately ordered two more copies for friends I thought should read it for themselves so I can hang on to my copy. My main wish is that she'd chosen a title with as much punch as the contents of the book itself.

A Must for Student Nurses!, 29 Apr 2005
I've lost count the times I have used this book for assignments - very useful covering every subject imaginable

mine is well used, 19 Jul 2002
This book is a very good book for any student nurse at any level. I have been able to use this text book quite alot and have found it very easy to understand. The price has meant some of my friends have not bought it. However when time comes for assignments we all know that the libraries never have enough copies

Mental Health Act 2007 - Explained at last ..........., 30 May 2008
As a mental health student nurse studying for a BSc (hons) Degree, there are two areas that I continually struggle with day in and day out, the first is medication and the second is the Mental Health Act 1983, can you imagine the confusion when the Amended Mental Health Act 2007 came out. This book has been really good for me as it not only includes the full mental health act but also the amendments from 2007. also, this book includes mental capacity act. Basically, it has everything you need to help you plough through the current legislation in preparation for the 2007 act implementation in October. Details of certain mental act sections are easily located and explained. I did ponder about awarding 4 stars to this publication as a lot of the work tends to be a little wordy and could have been written in a much more basic form, but it cannot be faulted for it's content, therefore it got 5 stars. I am a degree student and found some of the chapters really hard going, but saying that, the mental health act is very difficult to read through. the book is concise and accurate and does explain a great deal about legislation background and how the amendment came about and what fuelled it's implementation. Overall this book would benefit any psychiatric student, mental health worker, approved social worker or mental health related doctors. Basically anyone who has dealings with mental health services on a professional level. as a student, i am very selective of the publications I purchase, this is one of the very very very few books that bring in the new 2007 mental health act, therefore it warranted a purchase and I am very pleased I did. It is well written, contains detailed explanations and above all, set out easily so certain information can be easily and quickly found. To keep its different sections apart it is split into 2 sections, the first is around the reform of the mental health act and the second is in regards to the mental capacity act. As it states in the book the title is a little misleading as it is really a book about two pieces of legislation, the mental health act 1983 and the mental capacity act 2005 as they have been amended by the 2007 act.
Overall, a great book, well put together. I would recommend this book to anyone who is studying to be in or already in the mental health services. Paul Bowen has put together a publication that can put to bed any confusing thoughts you had around the mental health act and as I have said before, in great time as the new act comes into affect in October 2008. This book is a credit to my collection of mental health related academic literature.




Very comprehensive- Covers everything you need to know for Ethics, GMC and Medico-legal issues, 16 Jun 2008
The second edition of Hopes Medical Ethics and Law is an update to this successful and authoritative book which has become a firm favourite for many students over the years. With the exception of some important definitions the subject of medical ethics and law is not one easily learnt by wrote from a textbook. In fact discussion is key to learning the subject so Hope aids this by proving a magnitude of case studies and examples which really help to put theses complex principles into perspective. All the important essential issues students and junior doctors require to be familiar with are covered with the addition of information on the latest topics of end of life care, application of genetics, rationing of healthcare and research ethics. A particular helpful chapter introduces the aspects of law relating to medicine in a simple, plain English way for humble medical student. All in all it covers all the material the GMC would have us know plus more, in a simple and accessible way with plenty of detail and examples along the way.

Mostly good but some obvious deficiencies, 20 Oct 2007
Although a largely useful reference, the chapters are of variable quality and don't always address issues that are of most value to practicing OPs. The most notable lack is a chapter dedicated to CFS or other similarly difficult diseases that are commonly encountered in practice. What information there is on CFS is contradictory and hence somewhat unhelpful to the reader. However a useful resource nevertheless, and a book that all involved in Occupational Medicine should have available to them.


fitness for work, 08 Dec 2004
good and informative, without being exhausting. makes good study book and relevant to occupation. focused and clearly written. the only flaw may be not including pictures.

How To Be Healthy Though Working, 31 Jan 2002
This substantial book contains a wealth of useful information on matters of concern to employees and employers. It would be an excellent acquisition for any workplace
fortunate enough to possess a library, and ideally should be widely available for consultation as the need may arise. Certainly Personnel, Health and Safety, and Welfare specialists as well as rank-and-file workers might have occasion to refer to it from time to time. Its coverage is extensive and authoritative - there are nearly 30 chapters by different expert authors. A few highlights may give a flavour of the work.
In Chapter 2 'Legal Aspects', readers are reminded of provisions under common law (in England, but Employment protection law applies in Scotland in the same way), statute law, and European directives. Employers have a common law duty of reasonable care, and are required to guard against reasonably foreseeable risks, while employees need to take reasonable care and cooperate with safety measures. Chapter 3 expounds the specific provisions and consequences for employers and OPs of the Disability Discrimination Act, while Chapter 5 makes the point that the Occupational Physician's (OP) role differs from that of other specialists and GPs, emphasising that whatever conflicts of interest or loyalty may arise, the interests of the individual patient must, ethically, come first. There should be no conflict between the 'business ethics' of the company and the OP's own as a doctor, and he/she should strive to influence the company in this regard.
The important topic of stress is dealt with in Chapter 7, 'Psychiatric Disorders', the working definition of a stressful situation being one of disparity between the demands made on a worker and his/her ability to respond, where the worker has little or no control, and may be actual or perceived. Work-related stressors may be intrinsic to the job, role-related or interpersonal. More generally, the line taken is that the psychological environment should be assessed in the way accepted as appropriate for physical, chemical and biological hazards; a participative approach is advocated in preference to an autocratic style of management. Chapters 11, on Spinal Disorders, and 25 on Alcohol and Drug Misuse, are like the rest of the book very competently presented, and would be good to have on hand to refer to in case of need. In a final Chapter, 27, the topic is an increasingly high-profile one, 'Work and the Older Employee'. Information and advice is given on healthy ageing and production, with the aim of correcting some of the limitations often imposed on members of this group, stemming from stereotypes that should be challenged, such as the belief that ability/motivation to learn new skills deteriorates with age. The book's overall message might be paraphrased to the effect that the contribution of workers of all kinds and at all levels should be appreciated and encouraged in a way that does them no harm. Half a dozen appendices, references, address list and index add further use-value to this hefty and worthwhile tome.

Cuts like a scythe through your preconceptions, 06 Sep 2008
I bought this book because from her previous writing I already knew that the author had analysed some of the same source documents about the discovery of HIV that I had and come to the same conclusions. It was already a subject about which I considered myself fairly knowledgeable so I was eager to see what a whole book's worth of investigation would reveal. In the event I found it absolutely stunning to read.

Most people write informational books as if they have the answers all sorted out by the time they've started writing. Janine's is more of an exciting roller-coaster journey of discovery through biology, more like 'Indiana Jones and the trail of death'. She starts off following the trail of some loose thread, but ends up sweeping across biological plains, climbing immunological mountains and traversing dangerous virological crevasses. Her writing proceeds with pace, and with a penetrating fact here and incisive analysis there, neatly and devastatingly severing the tendons of many preconceptions, leavin them floundering in her wake - but, leaving behind an alternative model of understanding that, for me at least, on several occasions correlated with personal experiences and pretty comprehensively just made so much sense. But then she drags you after her as she chases the next horizon set by the questions that have just been raised by the new discoveries. Both the breadth ad depth of her research and understanding are very impressive yet key points and principles are clearly explained and easy to follow.

This really is quite a breathtaking read, even for someone already relatively well-versed in detailed scientific technicalities of some of the topics covered. For many people it really will be a perception-changing book regarding some sacred cows of medical science that have a direct impact on our every day lives and our perception of the world being such a hostile biological place. It left me with more respect for the complexity and intelligence hidden in our own bodies.

Something I find really annoying in most books that cite various sources is when the references are at the end of the chapter or most commonly right at the back of the book, making it more difficult to look things up. Fortunately, Janine has sensibly placed references and extra detailed notes at the bottom of the page so they are easier to follow. Also, some of the most shocking documents that reveal the extent of Robert Gallo's claim to have found the cause of AIDS was far more comprehensively fraudulent than any of the official investigations have acknowledged, are reproduced in full at the end of the book. However these are a bit hard to read and could have been made clearer.

In summary, I found this book so important that I immediately ordered two more copies for friends I thought should read it for themselves so I can hang on to my copy. My main wish is that she'd chosen a title with as much punch as the contents of the book itself.


Making Sense of it all!, 18 Oct 2002
I've used this text as part of an Ethics & Legal Issues Module within my BSc Nursing Studies and, having read some very 'heavy' texts trying to understand and comprehend many of the complex issues, it has been a relief to find a text that is written in 'English' - if you know what I mean!!

The editors have formatted the information so that it is much simpler to follow and the topics are covered in sufficient detail to ensure that all the relevent (for my course) issues are covered and explained in language that is understandable by any undergraduate student.

The book is well laid out and I would recommend it to anyone who has a similar module on a similar course. I was loathe to purchase texts, but this one was well worth the money.

A Must for Student Nurses!, 29 Apr 2005
I've lost count the times I have used this book for assignments - very useful covering every subject imaginable

mine is well used, 19 Jul 2002
This book is a very good book for any student nurse at any level. I have been able to use this text book quite alot and have found it very easy to understand. The price has meant some of my friends have not bought it. However when time comes for assignments we all know that the libraries never have enough copies

Mental Health Act 2007 - Explained at last ..........., 30 May 2008
As a mental health student nurse studying for a BSc (hons) Degree, there are two areas that I continually struggle with day in and day out, the first is medication and the second is the Mental Health Act 1983, can you imagine the confusion when the Amended Mental Health Act 2007 came out. This book has been really good for me as it not only includes the full mental health act but also the amendments from 2007. also, this book includes mental capacity act. Basically, it has everything you need to help you plough through the current legislation in preparation for the 2007 act implementation in October. Details of certain mental act sections are easily located and explained. I did ponder about awarding 4 stars to this publication as a lot of the work tends to be a little wordy and could have been written in a much more basic form, but it cannot be faulted for it's content, therefore it got 5 stars. I am a degree student and found some of the chapters really hard going, but saying that, the mental health act is very difficult to read through. the book is concise and accurate and does explain a great deal about legislation background and how the amendment came about and what fuelled it's implementation. Overall this book would benefit any psychiatric student, mental health worker, approved social worker or mental health related doctors. Basically anyone who has dealings with mental health services on a professional level. as a student, i am very selective of the publications I purchase, this is one of the very very very few books that bring in the new 2007 mental health act, therefore it warranted a purchase and I am very pleased I did. It is well written, contains detailed explanations and above all, set out easily so certain information can be easily and quickly found. To keep its different sections apart it is split into 2 sections, the first is around the reform of the mental health act and the second is in regards to the mental capacity act. As it states in the book the title is a little misleading as it is really a book about two pieces of legislation, the mental health act 1983 and the mental capacity act 2005 as they have been amended by the 2007 act.
Overall, a great book, well put together. I would recommend this book to anyone who is studying to be in or already in the mental health services. Paul Bowen has put together a publication that can put to bed any confusing thoughts you had around the mental health act and as I have said before, in great time as the new act comes into affect in October 2008. This book is a credit to my collection of mental health related academic literature.




Very comprehensive- Covers everything you need to know for Ethics, GMC and Medico-legal issues, 16 Jun 2008
The second edition of Hopes Medical Ethics and Law is an update to this successful and authoritative book which has become a firm favourite for many students over the years. With the exception of some important definitions the subject of medical ethics and law is not one easily learnt by wrote from a textbook. In fact discussion is key to learning the subject so Hope aids this by proving a magnitude of case studies and examples which really help to put theses complex principles into perspective. All the important essential issues students and junior doctors require to be familiar with are covered with the addition of information on the latest topics of end of life care, application of genetics, rationing of healthcare and research ethics. A particular helpful chapter introduces the aspects of law relating to medicine in a simple, plain English way for humble medical student. All in all it covers all the material the GMC would have us know plus more, in a simple and accessible way with plenty of detail and examples along the way.

Mostly good but some obvious deficiencies, 20 Oct 2007
Although a largely useful reference, the chapters are of variable quality and don't always address issues that are of most value to practicing OPs. The most notable lack is a chapter dedicated to CFS or other similarly difficult diseases that are commonly encountered in practice. What information there is on CFS is contradictory and hence somewhat unhelpful to the reader. However a useful resource nevertheless, and a book that all involved in Occupational Medicine should have available to them.


fitness for work, 08 Dec 2004
good and informative, without being exhausting. makes good study book and relevant to occupation. focused and clearly written. the only flaw may be not including pictures.

How To Be Healthy Though Working, 31 Jan 2002
This substantial book contains a wealth of useful information on matters of concern to employees and employers. It would be an excellent acquisition for any workplace
fortunate enough to possess a library, and ideally should be widely available for consultation as the need may arise. Certainly Personnel, Health and Safety, and Welfare specialists as well as rank-and-file workers might have occasion to refer to it from time to time. Its coverage is extensive and authoritative - there are nearly 30 chapters by different expert authors. A few highlights may give a flavour of the work.
In Chapter 2 'Legal Aspects', readers are reminded of provisions under common law (in England, but Employment protection law applies in Scotland in the same way), statute law, and European directives. Employers have a common law duty of reasonable care, and are required to guard against reasonably foreseeable risks, while employees need to take reasonable care and cooperate with safety measures. Chapter 3 expounds the specific provisions and consequences for employers and OPs of the Disability Discrimination Act, while Chapter 5 makes the point that the Occupational Physician's (OP) role differs from that of other specialists and GPs, emphasising that whatever conflicts of interest or loyalty may arise, the interests of the individual patient must, ethically, come first. There should be no conflict between the 'business ethics' of the company and the OP's own as a doctor, and he/she should strive to influence the company in this regard.
The important topic of stress is dealt with in Chapter 7, 'Psychiatric Disorders', the working definition of a stressful situation being one of disparity between the demands made on a worker and his/her ability to respond, where the worker has little or no control, and may be actual or perceived. Work-related stressors may be intrinsic to the job, role-related or interpersonal. More generally, the line taken is that the psychological environment should be assessed in the way accepted as appropriate for physical, chemical and biological hazards; a participative approach is advocated in preference to an autocratic style of management. Chapters 11, on Spinal Disorders, and 25 on Alcohol and Drug Misuse, are like the rest of the book very competently presented, and would be good to have on hand to refer to in case of need. In a final Chapter, 27, the topic is an increasingly high-profile one, 'Work and the Older Employee'. Information and advice is given on healthy ageing and production, with the aim of correcting some of the limitations often imposed on members of this group, stemming from stereotypes that should be challenged, such as the belief that ability/motivation to learn new skills deteriorates with age. The book's overall message might be paraphrased to the effect that the contribution of workers of all kinds and at all levels should be appreciated and encouraged in a way that does them no harm. Half a dozen appendices, references, address list and index add further use-value to this hefty and worthwhile tome.

Cuts like a scythe through your preconceptions, 06 Sep 2008
I bought this book because from her previous writing I already knew that the author had analysed some of the same source documents about the discovery of HIV that I had and come to the same conclusions. It was already a subject about which I considered myself fairly knowledgeable so I was eager to see what a whole book's worth of investigation would reveal. In the event I found it absolutely stunning to read.

Most people write informational books as if they have the answers all sorted out by the time they've started writing. Janine's is more of an exciting roller-coaster journey of discovery through biology, more like 'Indiana Jones and the trail of death'. She starts off following the trail of some loose thread, but ends up sweeping across biological plains, climbing immunological mountains and traversing dangerous virological crevasses. Her writing proceeds with pace, and with a penetrating fact here and incisive analysis there, neatly and devastatingly severing the tendons of many preconceptions, leavin them floundering in her wake - but, leaving behind an alternative model of understanding that, for me at least, on several occasions correlated with personal experiences and pretty comprehensively just made so much sense. But then she drags you after her as she chases the next horizon set by the questions that have just been raised by the new discoveries. Both the breadth ad depth of her research and understanding are very impressive yet key points and principles are clearly explained and easy to follow.

This really is quite a breathtaking read, even for someone already relatively well-versed in detailed scientific technicalities of some of the topics covered. For many people it really will be a perception-changing book regarding some sacred cows of medical science that have a direct impact on our every day lives and our perception of the world being such a hostile biological place. It left me with more respect for the complexity and intelligence hidden in our own bodies.

Something I find really annoying in most books that cite various sources is when the references are at the end of the chapter or most commonly right at the back of the book, making it more difficult to look things up. Fortunately, Janine has sensibly placed references and extra detailed notes at the bottom of the page so they are easier to follow. Also, some of the most shocking documents that reveal the extent of Robert Gallo's claim to have found the cause of AIDS was far more comprehensively fraudulent than any of the official investigations have acknowledged, are reproduced in full at the end of the book. However these are a bit hard to read and could have been made clearer.

In summary, I found this book so important that I immediately ordered two more copies for friends I thought should read it for themselves so I can hang on to my copy. My main wish is that she'd chosen a title with as much punch as the contents of the book itself.


Making Sense of it all!, 18 Oct 2002
I've used this text as part of an Ethics & Legal Issues Module within my BSc Nursing Studies and, having read some very 'heavy' texts trying to understand and comprehend many of the complex issues, it has been a relief to find a text that is written in 'English' - if you know what I mean!!

The editors have formatted the information so that it is much simpler to follow and the topics are covered in sufficient detail to ensure that all the relevent (for my course) issues are covered and explained in language that is understandable by any undergraduate student.

The book is well laid out and I would recommend it to anyone who has a similar module on a similar course. I was loathe to purchase texts, but this one was well worth the money.

Star buy for law students on medical law or postgrad courses, 23 Jul 2008
I've used this book as a reference for the law and ethical issues surrounding consent to the removal of human tissue after death and have found it to be informative and incredibly useful. The book refers to the latest laws, and even refers to laws yet to be implemented. It's very well written and explores various topical issues.

Use in nursing, 17 Feb 2008
This has book proved to be an invaluable tool when writing 'Law and Ethics' essays as part of BSc nursing degrees. It is easy to read, written in user-friendly English, and is one of the best reference books for nurses interested in the subject.

A Must for Student Nurses!, 29 Apr 2005
I've lost count the times I have used this book for assignments - very useful covering every subject imaginable

mine is well used, 19 Jul 2002
This book is a very good book for any student nurse at any level. I have been able to use this text book quite alot and have found it very easy to understand. The price has meant some of my friends have not bought it. However when time comes for assignments we all know that the libraries never have enough copies

Mental Health Act 2007 - Explained at last ..........., 30 May 2008
As a mental health student nurse studying for a BSc (hons) Degree, there are two areas that I continually struggle with day in and day out, the first is medication and the second is the Mental Health Act 1983, can you imagine the confusion when the Amended Mental Health Act 2007 came out. This book has been really good for me as it not only includes the full mental health act but also the amendments from 2007. also, this book includes mental capacity act. Basically, it has everything you need to help you plough through the current legislation in preparation for the 2007 act implementation in October. Details of certain mental act sections are easily located and explained. I did ponder about awarding 4 stars to this publication as a lot of the work tends to be a little wordy and could have been written in a much more basic form, but it cannot be faulted for it's content, therefore it got 5 stars. I am a degree student and found some of the chapters really hard going, but saying that, the mental health act is very difficult to read through. the book is concise and accurate and does explain a great deal about legislation background and how the amendment came about and what fuelled it's implementation. Overall this book would benefit any psychiatric student, mental health worker, approved social worker or mental health related doctors. Basically anyone who has dealings with mental health services on a professional level. as a student, i am very selective of the publications I purchase, this is one of the very very very few books that bring in the new 2007 mental health act, therefore it warranted a purchase and I am very pleased I did. It is well written, contains detailed explanations and above all, set out easily so certain information can be easily and quickly found. To keep its different sections apart it is split into 2 sections, the first is around the reform of the mental health act and the second is in regards to the mental capacity act. As it states in the book the title is a little misleading as it is really a book about two pieces of legislation, the mental health act 1983 and the mental capacity act 2005 as they have been amended by the 2007 act.
Overall, a great book, well put together. I would recommend this book to anyone who is studying to be in or already in the mental health services. Paul Bowen has put together a publication that can put to bed any confusing thoughts you had around the mental health act and as I have said before, in great time as the new act comes into affect in October 2008. This book is a credit to my collection of mental health related academic literature.




Very comprehensive- Covers everything you need to know for Ethics, GMC and Medico-legal issues, 16 Jun 2008
The second edition of Hopes Medical Ethics and Law is an update to this successful and authoritative book which has become a firm favourite for many students over the years. With the exception of some important definitions the subject of medical ethics and law is not one easily learnt by wrote from a textbook. In fact discussion is key to learning the subject so Hope aids this by proving a magnitude of case studies and examples which really help to put theses complex principles into perspective. All the important essential issues students and junior doctors require to be familiar with are covered with the addition of information on the latest topics of end of life care, application of genetics, rationing of healthcare and research ethics. A particular helpful chapter introduces the aspects of law relating to medicine in a simple, plain English way for humble medical student. All in all it covers all the material the GMC would have us know plus more, in a simple and accessible way with plenty of detail and examples along the way.

Mostly good but some obvious deficiencies, 20 Oct 2007
Although a largely useful reference, the chapters are of variable quality and don't always address issues that are of most value to practicing OPs. The most notable lack is a chapter dedicated to CFS or other similarly difficult diseases that are commonly encountered in practice. What information there is on CFS is contradictory and hence somewhat unhelpful to the reader. However a useful resource nevertheless, and a book that all involved in Occupational Medicine should have available to them.


fitness for work, 08 Dec 2004
good and informative, without being exhausting. makes good study book and relevant to occupation. focused and clearly written. the only flaw may be not including pictures.

How To Be Healthy Though Working, 31 Jan 2002
This substantial book contains a wealth of useful information on matters of concern to employees and employers. It would be an excellent acquisition for any workplace
fortunate enough to possess a library, and ideally should be widely available for consultation as the need may arise. Certainly Personnel, Health and Safety, and Welfare specialists as well as rank-and-file workers might have occasion to refer to it from time to time. Its coverage is extensive and authoritative - there are nearly 30 chapters by different expert authors. A few highlights may give a flavour of the work.
In Chapter 2 'Legal Aspects', readers are reminded of provisions under common law (in England, but Employment protection law applies in Scotland in the same way), statute law, and European directives. Employers have a common law duty of reasonable care, and are required to guard against reasonably foreseeable risks, while employees need to take reasonable care and cooperate with safety measures. Chapter 3 expounds the specific provisions and consequences for employers and OPs of the Disability Discrimination Act, while Chapter 5 makes the point that the Occupational Physician's (OP) role differs from that of other specialists and GPs, emphasising that whatever conflicts of interest or loyalty may arise, the interests of the individual patient must, ethically, come first. There should be no conflict between the 'business ethics' of the company and the OP's own as a doctor, and he/she should strive to influence the company in this regard.
The important topic of stress is dealt with in Chapter 7, 'Psychiatric Disorders', the working definition of a stressful situation being one of disparity between the demands made on a worker and his/her ability to respond, where the worker has little or no control, and may be actual or perceived. Work-related stressors may be intrinsic to the job, role-related or interpersonal. More generally, the line taken is that the psychological environment should be assessed in the way accepted as appropriate for physical, chemical and biological hazards; a participative approach is advocated in preference to an autocratic style of management. Chapters 11, on Spinal Disorders, and 25 on Alcohol and Drug Misuse, are like the rest of the book very competently presented, and would be good to have on hand to refer to in case of need. In a final Chapter, 27, the topic is an increasingly high-profile one, 'Work and the Older Employee'. Information and advice is given on healthy ageing and production, with the aim of correcting some of the limitations often imposed on members of this group, stemming from stereotypes that should be challenged, such as the belief that ability/motivation to learn new skills deteriorates with age. The book's overall message might be paraphrased to the effect that the contribution of workers of all kinds and at all levels should be appreciated and encouraged in a way that does them no harm. Half a dozen appendices, references, address list and index add further use-value to this hefty and worthwhile tome.

Cuts like a scythe through your preconceptions, 06 Sep 2008
I bought this book because from her previous writing I already knew that the author had analysed some of the same source documents about the discovery of HIV that I had and come to the same conclusions. It was already a subject about which I considered myself fairly knowledgeable so I was eager to see what a whole book's worth of investigation would reveal. In the event I found it absolutely stunning to read.

Most people write informational books as if they have the answers all sorted out by the time they've started writing. Janine's is more of an exciting roller-coaster journey of discovery through biology, more like 'Indiana Jones and the trail of death'. She starts off following the trail of some loose thread, but ends up sweeping across biological plains, climbing immunological mountains and traversing dangerous virological crevasses. Her writing proceeds with pace, and with a penetrating fact here and incisive analysis there, neatly and devastatingly severing the tendons of many preconceptions, leavin them floundering in her wake - but, leaving behind an alternative model of understanding that, for me at least, on several occasions correlated with personal experiences and pretty comprehensively just made so much sense. But then she drags you after her as she chases the next horizon set by the questions that have just been raised by the new discoveries. Both the breadth ad depth of her research and understanding are very impressive yet key points and principles are clearly explained and easy to follow.

This really is quite a breathtaking read, even for someone already relatively well-versed in detailed scientific technicalities of some of the topics covered. For many people it really will be a perception-changing book regarding some sacred cows of medical science that have a direct impact on our every day lives and our perception of the world being such a hostile biological place. It left me with more respect for the complexity and intelligence hidden in our own bodies.

Something I find really annoying in most books that cite various sources is when the references are at the end of the chapter or most commonly right at the back of the book, making it more difficult to look things up. Fortunately, Janine has sensibly placed references and extra detailed notes at the bottom of the page so they are easier to follow. Also, some of the most shocking documents that reveal the extent of Robert Gallo's claim to have found the cause of AIDS was far more comprehensively fraudulent than any of the official investigations have acknowledged, are reproduced in full at the end of the book. However these are a bit hard to read and could have been made clearer.

In summary, I found this book so important that I immediately ordered two more copies for friends I thought should read it for themselves so I can hang on to my copy. My main wish is that she'd chosen a title with as much punch as the contents of the book itself.


Making Sense of it all!, 18 Oct 2002
I've used this text as part of an Ethics & Legal Issues Module within my BSc Nursing Studies and, having read some very 'heavy' texts trying to understand and comprehend many of the complex issues, it has been a relief to find a text that is written in 'English' - if you know what I mean!!

The editors have formatted the information so that it is much simpler to follow and the topics are covered in sufficient detail to ensure that all the relevent (for my course) issues are covered and explained in language that is understandable by any undergraduate student.

The book is well laid out and I would recommend it to anyone who has a similar module on a similar course. I was loathe to purchase texts, but this one was well worth the money.

Star buy for law students on medical law or postgrad courses, 23 Jul 2008
I've used this book as a reference for the law and ethical issues surrounding consent to the removal of human tissue after death and have found it to be informative and incredibly useful. The book refers to the latest laws, and even refers to laws yet to be implemented. It's very well written and explores various topical issues.

Use in nursing, 17 Feb 2008
This has book proved to be an invaluable tool when writing 'Law and Ethics' essays as part of BSc nursing degrees. It is easy to read, written in user-friendly English, and is one of the best reference books for nurses interested in the subject.

Secret of Medicine is to Listen, 29 Jun 2008
The first sentence of Dr Rita Charon's book, at the start of the preface, begins as follows: "I invite readers to look with my colleagues and me at this form of clinical practice we have come to call narrative medicine, defined as medicine practised with the narrative competence to recognise, absorb, interpret, and be moved by the stories of illness."

In addition to being a physician, the author holds a PhD degree in English.

Dr Charon points out that medicine becomes transformed when it is practiced with a real respect for time and timeliness, that patients lament when their uniqueness is not valued, that a clinician should not stop with the obvious or evident story line but should keep looking, in a creative way, to construct a wide and deep diagnosis, open to various possibilities, and that medicine is "based on complex texts which are shaped between doctor and patient, texts that encompass words, silences, physical findings, pictures, measurements of substances in the body, and appearances."

Further quoting Dr Charon, "Medicine is itself a more narratively inflected enterprise than it realises. Its practice is suffused with attention to life's temporal horizons, with the commitment to describe the singular, with the urge to uncover plot....and with an awareness of the intersubjective and ethical nature of healing."

These aspects of temporality, singularity, causality/contingency,intersubjectivity (two people relating to each other) and ethical concern are the hallmarks of storytelling or narrative. The use of the term "intersubjectivity" emphasises that "it is in meeting with other selves that the self comes alive."

To help the reader develop competence in handling narrative, the practical centrepiece of the book is Dr Charon's drill wherein she teaches students to closely read a text or story for the five aspects of frame, form, time, plot and desire. She also has her students involved in reflective writing; each piece of writing produced by her students is also analysed by this "five-fold" method. Let's apply this drill to Dr Charon's own book "Narrative Medicine: Honouring the Stories of Illness."

1) FRAME. The frame is the scope of the work and author's intent.
Dr Charon tells us that she intends her book to be a primer for this new field of narrative medicine and to be a manual for teachers of reading and writing in the medical context. Another quotation from Dr Charon: "What needs to be contested in medicine is seldom the accuracy of observations but the restriction of interest--- the frame drawn so tightly--- to the biological."

2) FORM. Here the author teaches us to look at genre, visible structure, narrator, metaphors, allusions, and diction.
Let's apply these to Dr Charon's work:
Genre--- Regarding the type of literature, overall the feel of the work is didactic--- to teach the reader practical lessons while looking at the underlying theoretical frameworks.
Visible structure--- The work has four main parts: Part I) What is Narrative Medicine ? (The Sources of Narrative Medicine, Bridging Health Care's Divides, Narrative Features of Medicine), Part II) Narrative of Illness (Telling One's Life, The Patient- The Body- and the Self), Part III) Developing Narrative Competence (Close Reading, Attention- Representation- and Affiliation, The Parallel Chart), and Part IV) Dividends of Narrative Medicine (Bearing Witness, The Bioethics of Narrative Medicine, A Narrative Vision for Heath Care).
Narrator--- The author herself is the narrator in the text; she speaks to us as a teacher and guide.
Metaphors--- The overarching metaphor is that life is lived out and related as a story. It's pointed out in this book that a team of anthropologists and linguists have said that "all thinking is metaphorical...., because metaphor is how the human brain travels." Throughout the book Dr Charon gives us over thirty different case histories of patients, told in the form of vignettes or brief stories. The actual words from the patients, students and doctors add a rich variety of imagery and metaphor to the book.
Allusions--- This refers to how one text brings in echoes from and speaks to other texts. The author Dr Charon writes: "I recognise my debt to Henry James, who is ever-present in my life as a companion and model, and whose thinking and language have transformed my own."
(Henry James was an American novelist who spent much of the latter half of his life living in England. He was born in 1843 and died in 1916, having become a British citizen shortly before he died. His brother, William, was a well-known psychologist. One critic wrote that the works of novelist Henry James were noted for psychological and moral realism, masterful creation of character, low-key but playful humour, and assured command of the language.)
Diction--- This refers to the style or tone of language used. Dr Charon writes in a scholarly, intellectual style that elevates, broadens, and adds respect to the subjects under discussion.

3) TIME. The steady drumbeat underlying the work is gradual development punctuated with flashes of insight as seen in the lives of the author, her students, and patients. The author writes that her approach was sparked when she attended a "literature-in-medicine" seminar in 1982, and that the frame for her book began in the Spring of 2001. The book itself was first published in 2006.

4) PLOT. Usually one does not think of a textbook of sorts as having a plot, but for the sake of this exercise, one of the plots of this book is how the stories of patients and students come in and out of the author's life and how she interweaves her gleanings from the theoretical bases of the allied disciplines of literary studies, narrative theory, general internal medicine, and bioethics.

5) DESIRE. The author teaches us to ask of every text: What appetite was satisfied in you by virtue of reading the text? What seems to be satisfied by the writing of it? Dr Charon writes that asking a reader to articulate the desires awakened by a text is a reliable method of guiding the reader to the heart of the encounter with the text, and the better one can identify the needs and longings that are satisfied in one's readings, the more accurately can one name what the text has accomplished.
For me, the last line in Dr Charon's book "Narrative Medicine" encapsulates the longing satisfied by reading her book. She writes that the care displayed through developing a narrative competence "envelopes us all with meaning, with grace, with courage, and with joy."

(The front cover of the book shows a painting by Mary Cassatt entitled "The Conversation." [1896]. The picture shows two women engaged in a heart-to-heart conversation.)

To leave you with some quotations from the book, we see how Dr Rita Charon applies narrative competence in her everyday professional life: "As the patient tells, I listen as hard as I can--- not taking notes during this segment of the interview, not interrupting unless critical, not indicating one way or another what I consider salient or meaningful or interesting. I try my best to register the diction, the form, the images, the pace of speech. I pay attention--- as I sit there on the edge of my seat, absorbing what is being given--- to metaphors, idioms, accompanying gestures, as well as plot and characters represented for me by the patient," and elsewhere, "I listen not only for the content of his narrative but also for its form--- its temporal course, its images, its associated subplots, it silences, where he chooses to begin in telling of himself, how he sequences symptoms with other life events. After a few minutes, the patient stops talking and begins to weep. I ask him why he cries. He says, 'No one ever let me do this before.' "