Book Review: The Illness Experience

This book is a collection of essays based on research projects into the effects on mind as well as body, of various illnesses or traumas. The method of grounded theory has been used to put together an overview of "what it's like" to have a heart attack, a hysterectomy, be the mother of an adolescent having an abortion, and so on. A striking feature of the book was the evidence produced - and clearly presented in simple diagrams - for the similarity of experience in similar circumstances, yet the researchers did not lose touch with the notion that their subjectgroups were made up of individuals.

All the authors come from the nursing profession and have progressed to Master's Degrees, professorships, etc. and it is encouraging to see how they have combined a knowledge of the inescapable physical effects of illness with a sensitivity to the effects on the inner self. The book originated in Canada. Perhaps the grass always seems greener on the other side of the hill, but I suspect I would not be alone in wishing that it was required reading for all employees of the NHS.

For any student of human nature The Illness Experience is a useful addition to the lighter end of the reference bookshelf, but to the reader who is serious about self-knowledge and realistic about what may lurk around the next corner, it will be thoughtful and interesting reading.

Margaret Nelson.