Nhs To Refer People To Self Help Books

[Kromovaracun]

http://www.channel4.com/news/self-help-books-scheme-libraries-ed-vaizey-reading-agency


//But today self-help will be given its greatest validation yet. Under a new scheme to be launched by the Culture Minister Ed Vaizey, GPs will publicise the titles of 30 specially selected self-help books, which will be made available in participating libraries across England from 10 June.//

I notice that nowhere on the reading list is Richard Wiseman's "59 Seconds" - which largely debunks "self-help" and questions its correlation with any existing psychological research.

Is this really a good idea? Do we have any real evidence that "self-help" books do anything other than generate money for people with mail-order PhDs?

I'm thinking particularly about issues like OCD or low self-esteem, where people can easily end up feeling more demoralised and disempowered when reading a book (especially one that the GP is now recommending) doesn't do anything to help.

[whiskeryron]

Lunatics running the Asylum springs to mind!

[emmie]

will that help if i fall down the stairs and break a leg, hardly.
self help books often aren't, they can force you into believing that reading up on the subject makes you an expert of sorts, particularly galling are some of the ones i have looked at on mental health, some positively dangerous.

[Sqad]

Why am I not surprised?
No further comment.

[murraymints]

How to throttle gp in three easy steps ?

[whiskeryron]

Can anyone recommend a book on diy brain surgery ?

WR.

[FredPuli43]

One which isn't in the list is Dale Carnegie's "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living", which the only self-help book I ever read, apart from his "How to Win Friends ". It is far more use than his more famous work.

It's a little unrealistic to stop people from using the internet or reading self-help books. If they are going to do it, we might as well suggest books whose content is medically approved.

[naomi24]

It depends on the nature of the books. If any of them deter people from seeking medical attention when that's what they should be seeking, then it's rather a dangerous idea.

[LazyGun]

I would be interested to see any data from Ed Vaisey which suggests that our primary care service is being clogged up by people who would otherwise be able to help themselves with the aid of these 30 specially selected titles.

I have no particular issue with clear guides that contain sensible easy to follow advice - but are they likely to declog the service? Will GPs be able to spend hours twiddling their thumbs in their surgeries, watching the tumbleweed blow past, waiting for their next patient? Somehow I doubt it :)

[vetuste_ennemi]

"Will GPs be able to spend hours twiddling their thumbs in their surgeries, watching the tumbleweed blow past, waiting for their next patient?"
Lovely image!

[emmie]

if Labour hadn't made a monumental mess of giving the GP's such a sweet deal, a normal working week, and no weekend working, all for more money, perhaps many who fess up at A&E wouldn't need to.
The GP's aren't going to like going back to a service they provided before, one doctor suggested they being used as pawns in between governments, perhaps it's the patients who are being used as pawns, and losing out big time. An A&E doctor wrote a very good and heartfelt article recently about the massive increases in people visiting A&E and how most hospitals are not coping, which is causing problems for them and the patients.

[Huderon]

I have no idea if self help books do any good or not.

However given the time it can take to get an appointment for things like counselling, CBT or the pain clinic, such books may be of use to some people while waiting for an appointment and may also act as a reminder or backup once you are receiving treatment or have finished your treatment.

Either way, since the books will be available through the library service, such as it is, it's hardly going to cost a fortune and may do some good.