Book reviews

Women's health
Volume 194 - Issue 9

Frank discussion of women’s issues

Author:  Karen M Flegg

Med J Aust 2011; 194 (9): 473. || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2011.tb03065.x
Published online: 2 May 2011
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Women’s health in general practice. 2nd edition.
Danielle Mazza. Sydney: Elsevier, 2011 (ix+346 pp, $94.95). ISBN 9780729538718.

DANIELLE MAZZA, an associate professor at the School of Primary Health Care, Monash University, is a general practitioner with broad experience in women’s health and evidence-based research. She was previously medical director of Family Planning Victoria and is currently a member of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners National Standing Committee on Quality Care. Her credibility is reflected in this comprehensive text on women’s sexual and reproductive health issues, with particular relevance to Australian general practice.

This second edition has been fully revised to include developments in the field, such as the latest guides to taking “the pill”, the contraceptive vaginal ring, human papillomavirus epidemiology and polycystic ovary syndrome.

The chapter on contraception provides practical and definitive information on all methods in current use — a mandatory knowledge base for all GPs providing such advice. The inclusion of chapters on violence against women, unplanned pregnancy and sexual problems is to be commended. Mazza’s style of frank discussion of the issues, legalities and practicalities presents these difficult subjects in an informative, non-judgemental manner.

Registrars starting in practice and studying for their exams ignore this text at their peril! The layout is educationally sound, with learning objectives, case studies and key points. The chapters are extensively referenced. Mazza also uses many tables, photographs and helpful diagrams (although some of these could be larger).

Mazza is to be commended for strongly presenting the evidence, or lack thereof, for treatments. Mostly, the evidence is cleverly mixed with practical approaches for the clinician. At times, however, evidence overwhelms practicality, discouraging some harmless treatments (eg, for mastalgia and premenstrual syndrome) and leaving options of reassurance only, or active drugs.

Purchase of the softcover book includes online access to the complete book.

In summary, this is an authoritative and comprehensive reference for new GPs as well as experienced practitioners wanting to update or check the latest evidence.

Author

  • Karen M Flegg
View this article on Wiley Online Library

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