Convalescence in modern health care

My friend handed me a book: Recovery – The Lost Art of Convalescence by Dr Gavin Francis. They immediately defined this new word for me: 'Convalescence is basically the recovery period after an injury or illness.' She added: 'You'll like this book, it's about compassion in medical care.' I was sold. My friend knew that my prior position as an Assistant Psychologist in a general hospital had stirred strong feelings in me about the need for compassionate care in the medical field.

Although Francis, a UK General Practitioner writes from a medical background, I found this book largely relatable to psychological professions. In just 116 pages, Francis concisely captures factors and specialities that influence convalescence outside of his own forte. He touches on the environment, diet, travel, physiotherapy, psychology, historical and alternative medicines as well as the socioeconomic and political context in the UK.

Francis highlights that modern medicine can feel rushed and has drifted away from focusing on convalescence. He reflects on the UK's increasing austerity, which can limit a clinician's ability to facilitate convalescence. For example, a reduction in hospital beds means that clinicians can no longer grant patients access to inpatient facilities for gradual recovery alone. Instead, the threshold to be admitted to hospital has raised significantly and Francis acknowledges this for mental as well as physical health care.

I found myself nodding vehemently as Francis highlights that '…working to diminish social inequalities is a large part of relieving human suffering…' as socioeconomic and political context are factors that I believe cannot be teased apart from wellbeing and mental health. It was clear that Francis also experiences a conflict that myself and many psychological professionals often experience; at times feeling limited in how much we can offer to relieve distress that is a direct result of socioeconomic disadvantage. The role of community and social prescribing in facilitating convalescence was emphasised, an approach to care that I also align myself with.

Francis writes about the power of being an adaptable clinician who can decipher which type of clinician that a particular patient needs. Does this patient need a reassuring clinician? Or a more to-the-point and frankly blunt clinician? Each patient may seek different approaches depending on their circumstances. As a pre-qualified psychological professional working towards a career in clinical psychology, I can find myself trying to learn how to be the 'right' psychologist. I enjoyed how Francis mentions the role of intuition when interacting with patients; that at times straying from pre-defined textbook processes and interactions can be beneficial. I felt this was relevant to the psychological profession in which a genuine therapeutic relationship based on trust can at times be more powerful than the actual therapeutic tools offered.

Francis draws the book to a close by emphasising that individuals do have an element of control in their recovery. That expectations and beliefs can influence physiology, behaviours, and feelings. I noticed a theme of balance throughout this book; that convalescence is nuanced and there is not a one size-fits-all. That individuals must take the chance to push themselves to learn their limits but then respect these limits, in turn allowing the opportunity to recuperate and try again.

• Reviewed by Saskia Ajayi, a Senior Assistant Psychologist working for Children's Services in Hertfordshire.

Recovery – The Lost Art of Convalescence by Dr Gavin Francis is published by Profile Books.