Patients, Power and Responsibility

The document reviews several books on medical practice, ethics, and patient care. In "Patients, Power and Responsibility," John Spiers advocates for a voucher system to empower patients in the British healthcare system, but reviewer Angela Coulter criticizes his approach as ideologically driven and lacking evidence. She suggests that current NHS reforms should be given a chance and highlights potential inequalities in Spiers' system. Other books reviewed include "Survival Skills for Doctors and their Families," which offers advice on managing doctor stress and family illness; "Caring for the Dying at Home," which promotes the Macmillan Gold Standards Framework for end-of-life care; "The Breast Cancer Wars," which examines social and cultural factors in breast cancer treatment; and "An Atlas of Hair Pathology-with Clinical Correlations," which is noted for its detailed coverage of hair and scalp diseases. Additionally, "Forensic Medicine: Clinical and Pathological Aspects" is recommended for its comprehensive coverage and usefulness to forensic practitioners. The document also discusses the role of ethics consultation in clinical practice, suggesting that formal structures could improve decision-making in medical ethics.