Accessible information on liver disease

Hepatitis C, other liver disorders and liver health. A practical guide. Geoffrey C Farrell. Sydney: MacLennan and Petty, 2002 ( xi + 324 pp). ISBN 0 86433 157 6.

As this book claims to be aimed at general practitioners and “a broader readership”, including laypeople, I felt that, as a specialist hepatologist, I was not necessarily the best person to review it. I asked a layperson and an experienced general practitioner for their opinions. From the layperson: The book is clearly written and the language and concepts are accessible to a non-medical reader. I particularly liked the style of writing and the tone, which was non-dogmatic when discussing alternative therapies, yet able to convey warnings when necessary. Geoffrey Farrell also shows cultural awareness. The book is easily followed as a reference text. If I had liver disease, I would want to have this book. – Colleen Vaughan Secondary School English teacher, Essendon, VIC From the general practitioner: The book is comprehensive and informative. It will answer all your questions — if you can find what you are looking for. Finding information was a problem, as there is so much information packed into the 320 pages. For example, in the chapter “Diet and liver disease — is there a liver cleansing diet?” I had to wade through three recipes, four tables and 18 pages to find the answer — no! I also thought that starting each chapter with case studies, but not presenting the commentaries until the chapter’s end, was confusing. I would have preferred much of the information found in tables and charts to have been placed in appendices so that the book flowed more smoothly. – Robert Benson General Practitioner, Footscray, VIC From the specialist: Does this book add to the cornucopia of print and electronic resources on hepatitis C? Yes, it does! For the health care worker it gives a sensitive, yet scientific, approach to issues which often deeply concern our patients, but are sometimes trivialised by health professionals (eg, diet, complementary therapies). Geoffrey Farrell is courageous enough to debunk the so-called “liver cleansing diet”, even if it did take him 18 pages (see above). On the other hand, the book gives the layperson information on hepatitis C and other liver disorders which is otherwise difficult to access. The style is idiosyncratic and may not appeal to all, but overall it has achieved its goal. It is trustworthy and novel and I’ll be recommending the book both to patients and health professionals. Katrina J R Watson Hepatologist, Fitzroy, VIC