The reorganization of general practice and the NHS mean that GPs now face many new and distinctive ethical dilemmas in their practice. With pressure on resources and an increasing concern to evaluate the outcomes of health care, GPs have additional responsibilities that could conflict with the primary objective of caring for the individual patient. This work explores the ethical issues that are encountered by GPs in their everyday practice, addressing two central themes: the uncertainty of outcomes and effectiveness in general practice; and the changing pattern of general practitioners'...

Is there an epidemic of depression sweeping the world, or are we radically altering our interpretation of normal human experiences? Do we need a dose of medication or a renewed sense of meaning? In this second edition of Beyond Depression, Christopher Dowrick--an academic and general practitioner--takes a critical insider's look at commonly held views about the diagnosis and managmenet of depression. He argues that our belief in depression as a medical condition is based on commercial, professional, organizational, and cultural factors which combine to sustain the popularity of depression as...

Part of the Reading Well scheme. 35 books selected by young people and health professionals to provide 13 to 18 year olds with high-quality support, information and advice about common mental health issues and related conditions. Meet Julie - a women who suffers from periods of depression. Julie and her family help readers to understand what depression is, what it is like to feel depressed and how it can affect their family life. She explains how coping with depression can sometimes be very difficult but there is support and help available that can relieve the feelings of depression. This...