Endometriosis

Suzie Hayman

Penguin

3991 1-18~~ illus ISBN: O-14-012731-300 f5.99 PB

Suzie Hayman is a member of the National Council of

the Family Planning Association and a board member

ot the Brook Advisory centres. She is a freelance

journalist and broadcaster and amongst other publica-

tions is the author of The Well Women Hundbook

(Penguin 1989). This book usefully raises the profile of

endomctriosis, a condition about which still relatively

little is known.

‘rhe book is sympathetically written offering basic

inti)rmation about the condition, and includes realistic

discussion of the advantages, disadvantages and

uncertainties of investigations and treatments cur-

rrntly available.

Anatomy and physiology are clearly described with

simple diagrams to aid understanding. The style is

facilitative, enabling women to understand their

bodies, encouraging increased self esteem, asser-

tiveness and participation in the medical care they

receive. ‘rhere is an associated suggested reading list

together with references related to endometriosis and

addresses of various self help and support groups.

Despite being aimed at a non-medical readership,

the book gives a comprehensive view of endometriosis

and with the dearth of books totally devoted to the

subject. may be a useful addition to nursing and

midwifery libraries.

The Illness Experience Janice Morse 8c Joy .Johnson

Sage

1991 3.50~~ illus ISBN: O-8039-4054-8 X13.95 PB

It is my belief that this publication will become an

important contribution to the understanding of

research into the human condition. It will act to

inlluence our views in a dramatic way, help to create a

more meaningful way of understanding illness and

thus assist nurses to respond more appropriately to

human distress.

It is a collection of research papers each attempting

to view the experience of illness from the perspective

of patients and their relatives. For example, the

process of acijustment following a heart attack, the

experiences of women having hysterectomies or the

prcjcess of ‘becoming ordinary after leaving a psychi-

atric hospital’.

Each chapter is a ‘stand alone’example of gl-ouncled

theory as a methodological attempt to get at the reality

of each situation. The authors make the point that up

to now, despite the humanization of health care and

holistic approaches, there is still a gap - ‘communica-

tion classes still teach knee,jerk responsiveness’.

The central theme of the book is an important one -

biography of the patients experience is the key to

producing a new theorv of illness.

The final chapter seeks to introduce an alternative

to the current ‘medical’ and ‘person’ conreptuali-

zations of illness experience and proposes a more

comprehensive view. Kather like the process of grie\-

ingand loss has been described, illness is also viewed as

a ‘process’ rather than a specific response to symptoms

experienced by the patient alone. 011 reading this

account I was surprised that ‘anger’ as a natural

reaction to serious illness was not included as a specific

stage of response.

The book is clearly presented and compelling to

read. Essential reading for all students of health care

science.

KOH \it’OYl)K.\k

Midwives Research & Childbirth Vol II S Robinson & A Thomson,

Chapman 8c Hall Eds

1991 353pp illus ISBN: +412-3lt%O-I flO.95 PB

Although bearing a 199 1 edition date this volume has

available in late 1990. Midwives \vho keep thenlsel\es

up to date and are professionall, aware will alreadv be

familiar with its contents and will ncjw be eager11

awaiting Volume III!

As research in the field ofchildbirth increases and its

documentation and analysis is presented in widening

sources, midwives must find that their kno\+,ledge base

becomes more grounded in I-esearch each day. Pro-

vided that the midwife has the chance for reflexion

and is able to initiate reasoned change, midwifer)

practice will develop into a truely research-based

activity. This text provides something not only for students.

practitioners, managers and teachers of midwifery but

also for other professionals involved with the

childbearing family. Each chapter is broken down into manageable

sections which make the subject matter easier to digest.

‘f’he ‘rabies and Figures are clear, uncluttered and

assist understanding of the text. Keferencing is com- prehensive and a great source of information in itself.