Writing digestibly

This volume by well-qualified Australian-based authors aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to written, electronic, visual and interpersonal communication in the health and social sciences. Its target audience is primarily students in these professional fields and it attempts to equip them with tools for the relevant written, spoken and collegiate activities. However, many of the contributions, particularly as they relate to meeting presentation, teamwork and communicating with patients, are equally valid and useful to the experienced practitioner. Moreover, while well-oriented to the Australian student, the book is equally applicable to an overseas reader required to communicate within the English-speaking academic community.

Many multi-authored books suffer from a disjointed style or a high degree of repetitiveness between chapters. This book does not fall into this trap. Books such as this provide a great service in offering a clear framework for health professionals who sometimes fail to have a clear understanding of the steps they employ in communicating to colleagues, patients and students. The tables used to summarise chapters are well constructed, the only irritation being the occasional need to turn the book 90° to read the information provided.

Specialists’ textbooks these days are becoming prohibitively expensive and it is a great relief to see this volume available for under $40.00, less than dinner for two at most cheap bistros and rather more digestible. Its value to students is probably from the very beginning of their studies within the health and social sciences, but most of their teachers would also gain from having access to a copy, both as a personal reference and to help students with their presentations, thesis writing or publications.

The need for such a volume is undisputed. It can only be hoped that students and teachers will recognise its value.

Guy MaddernRP Jepson Professor of Surgery University of Adelaide, SA