Physician heal thyself

This book is intended, as the name implies, as a self-help guide for practitioners. The authors are well credentialled and well versed in the literature relating to the topic, and the book is set out in a useful and readable format. The first sections deal with an explanation of the traditional stress construct, with remaining sections dealing with prevention and management strategies. These are presented as primary prevention (strategies for stress minimisation in the work environment), secondary prevention (coping strategies for situations in which stress can not be altogether eliminated), and tertiary prevention (stress management strategies for situations where stress is established and adversely affecting the practitioner’s life). The evidence for adverse psychoneuroimmunologic effects of chronic or recurrent stress is reviewed, and the book achieves a balance between behavioural, psychological and physical reasons for individual doctors to manage stress in their lives more effectively.