Health Education Research, Vol. 14, No. 2, 299-300,
April 1999
© 1999 Oxford University Press
Book Review |
The Potential for Health: How to Improve the Nations Health
Sir Kenneth C. Calman Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1998 280 pp. ISBN 0 19 262944 1 (pbk)0 19 262585 3 (hbk)
School of Nursing Postgraduate Division, Queens Medical Centre Nottingham University
The aims of this book are clear. It is intended to identify key issues in health and health care, and to explore ways in which improvements in both might occur. The target population is mainly the non-professional; however, the author argues that the `professional might also find it interesting'. As the author identifies, this book is the outcome of a series of talks and speeches given to a wide variety of audiences. This volume represents a personal philosophy about health and hence at times tends to focus mainly around the medical profession. I reviewed this book with degree nurses in mind. Nurses who need to consider issues of health within a broad social, economic and political context. The author strongly contended that the book will only be of value if it stimulates discussion and argument. Overall I feel this book does do this. The book begins very simply—a little too simple in parts. However, it does expand on many issues as the chapters proceed, providing thought provoking material. There is an immediate recognition that health for all is the potential for health for everyone and not just for those identified or classified as having some detectable recordable disease or illness or for those who have already presented at the health care services. Whilst I relish this `salutogenic' rather than `pathogenic' view, I found the limited critical discussion of the concept `health' to be frustrating. The stance taken was that health was a bipolar concept to illness. This remained unchallenged and the relativistic nature of health remained largely unexplored. Furthermore, discussion on the determinants of health was again a little weak, and the book made the assumption that what is meant by health and being healthy was clear. Moreover, the author rarely (if at all) made reference to lay understandings of health. I found this a little remarkable given the intended audience. Key governmental agencies and policies were identified throughout the book, e.g. the World Health Organization, Health For All and the Ottawa Charter. Hence providing a solid contextual framework for the following chapters. One of the major strengths of this book is its readability and the way in which complex issues are made accessible to lay people whilst also providing an `overview' for health care professionals such as student nurses.
The material discussed throughout the chapters is diverse. Subject areas include a discussion of the historical development of Health for All and Health of the Nation. There is clear acknowledgement for the need to actively involve people within health promotion. Principles of empowerment, ownership and participation are discussed. However, the author identifies that one of the main barriers to health promotion is the varied perceptions of health available within both the lay and professional arena. Whilst I agree with this, as I mentioned earlier, this book fails to present alternative views. Hence limiting the discussion. Issues concerned with multi-sectoral collaboration, equity and equality and poverty and health are addressed. There is some discussion around the meaning of `health care', `quality of care' (definitions and areas for assessment), `outcomes' and `effectiveness of health care'. These areas hold specific relevance for both qualified and student nurses. Simple clinical examples are used to `ground' the discussion. These address issues concerned with evidence-based practice, clinical audit, monitoring of professional standards and the role of mentoring. Furthermore, it introduces principles of management, resource allocation, communication networks and the use of information technology in health care.
In conclusion, I feel that this book will attract a wide audience both within Britain and internationally for both lay and health care professionals. The book is relevant to all levels of student nurses. It offers a basic introduction yet at the same time offers a holistic re-fresher for more advanced nursing students. In discussing professional issues, however, it does tend to mainly focus upon the medical profession, hence reflecting the background of the author. Resources for further reading are minimal but sufficient for a beginner. However, if these were to be increased throughout the whole of the book, I feel it would be more relevant and attractive to a wider audience.
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