Sixsmith, J. (2002). . Maintaining Health in Primary Care: guidelines for wellness in the 21st Century (book review). Irish Medical Journal, 95(3), 152

Abstract

As a practitioners guide, this recently published handbook on maintaining health for primary care practitioners provides a comprehensive resource for health information which may prove useful as a framework for ill health risk assessment for individuals. It identifies the need for a shift from the biomedical model to a wellness paradigm with a strong focus on communication as a key prerequisite for good practice. As a reference book, it provides a good source of seminal and contemporary research literature and the idea of web accessible patient information sheets is innovative and useful. The layout of the book presenting both theory and practice is supported by clear readable tables, checklists and summaries which make it easily accessible for both the quick overview and more in depth study. The supporting website is easily navigated and contains useful links referred to in the book as well as the patient information sheets.