What are primary health care sciences? In this state-of-the-art synthesis of current knowledge, the phrase broadly encompasses the discovery, creation, accumulation and refinement of knowledge pertinent to primary health care. Jane Sims has brought together representatives from the various professions to give their unique perspectives on the current trends in primary health care in a discourse which will provide stimulating reading for all those who wish to improve their understanding of contemporary issues in this field. A number of themes run through the book.

The first two chapters review the historical background of primary care and the organisational changes that have occurred in the last two decades. The following four chapters deal more closely with professional and service issues arising from the various policy changes. The next three chapters discuss a number of novel approaches to the promotion of efficient care giving, and how the patient is increasingly an active partner in, rather than a passive recipient of, such innovations.

Taking up an issue arising from earlier chapters, the concluding chapter considers the impact of a changing health service on the educational needs of primary health care professionals, using GP education as an exemplar.