|
The provision of healthcare should not exclusively be founded on the scientific bedrock of quantitative research strategies, as exemplified in evidence based medicine. Healthcare is about real people living in a real world and this is the central theme of this important book. Greenhalgh and Hurwitz draw on a large number contributions from interdisciplinary healthcare professionals, patients and carers, from around the world, to illustrate that no two individuals are the same and to demonstrate how much can be learned from exploring narratives of their health and illness experiences. The success of this book is the way in which the reader will unavoidably be forced to reflect on their own life experiences. No one will be able to read 'The Conker Tree' (pages 70-71) or 'Dear Tom' (pages 118-119) without considering their own clinical practice. I have two concerns. Firstly, the authors emphasise that narrative based medicine is an interdisciplinary concern. Therefore, in the same way that the medical research council is a misnomer, a better title for the book would be 'Evidence Based Healthcare.' Secondly, it should be noted that this approach to exploring health and illness experiences is not a new one. Such naturalistic strategies have been an important component of research in nursing and the social sciences for a considerable time. Everyone involved in health care should read this book and they will undoubtedly be influenced by the contents. Many will be reminded about whom should be at the centre of health care. With the growing interest in the humanities, this book should become a set text in medical and nursing curricula.
|
United States | 
United Kingdom | 
Canada