Recovery: The Lost Art of Convalescence

Very human and humane. I appreciated seeing the many forms of ‘health’ and ‘illness’ on myriad continua. I also appreciated some very simple things to be mindful of - dance (you can dance in a chair), sing, enjoy the smell and sight of things that beg to be eaten ………. And so on.

This is a really interesting book which contains some big and powerful ideas in a relatively slim volume.I would have given five stars had there been a bit more information on how to convalesce and recuperate. This is touched on but I feel the writer has more to offer on this.In our busy world, what we often actually need to take time, and that can be more effective than drugs.I would definitely recommend reading this and absorbing it's messages.

A short but fascinating read about how much we need to return our focus on recovery and convalescence. Inspired by people battling long COVID but having a much further reach, Francis, who is a practicing GP, delves into the past to hold a mirror up to the present and plot a more hopeful path into the future.

An interesting read covering a wide range of areas of convalescence from Nightingale's innovations to travel and pilgrimage.It was good to read of his own convalescence experiences and that due to a sinus issue he worked a 3 day week which extended his qualification time as a GP but allowed him the opportunity to recover. He didn't work to others timetables but negotiated his own timetable for his own health. Something I think we can all learn from in the pressures of modern society.I feel he has misunderstood Chronic Fatigue Syndrome however as he says in direct relation to CFS "If we don't push at the limits of what we can do in terms of physical effort the realm of the possible behind to shrink.., our muscles weaning and sufferers become trapped in a cycle of effort followed by collapse. The effort required to origin each collapse begins to dwindle"I would agree with that for recovery for many illnesses but not in the way described for CFS. I was constantly out pushing the boundaries, because that is what society has taught me to do but by attempting to keep going out cycling many miles I made myself increasingly ill.He seemed to say that Pacing was listening to your body and stopping before you exhaust your energies. It isn't. Unfortunately if we wait for our body to report back, it is already too late and exhaustion will send us to bed for 3 days. We have to stop well before we want to so that we can do it again tomorrow. Which is why it's so difficult to do.He went on to say that "it's normal that the [recovery] process can be slow"That may well be true but unfortunately my experience was that my GP just sent me off with a CFS diagnosis without any help in understanding what it means. My own research has led me to the learn that there is hope of improvements and I'm on that path of discovery now.Despite my minor quibble this book is a decent read with much to teach us.

In this book, Dr Gavin Francis has addressed the keys concepts of time and compassion in healing and recovery. This book shines a light on the role of cultural, professional and individual beliefs in healing and what it is to recover. Very accessible and thought provoking.

Best discussion of the plight of anyone who has the misfortune to become Ill, since Dr Richard Asher in the talking sense books of 60 years ago. Balanced insights into the partnership between health care professionals and the individual. The healing process and focus on a person's potential. As a nurse for 50 years this feels like back to the fundamentals of what we should be trying to achieve in this partnership. Cogent well written I would recommend this book to ALL health care professionals to re engage them with the fundamentals of our craft

Interesting and informative little book - NHS managers would do well to read it .....

The art and importance of convalescing. Written with so much passion, includes personal accounts, too. Easy to read, very enjoyable. Would recommend to those who have a passion for health and recovery from illness. A book for the GPs reading list.

Love the practical relevant health information looking at convalescence!

I found this after a recommendation by another doctor and I’m glad I did. After fracturing my hip and femur, I was feeling as though I would never get well, but this really well written book explained the healing process and emotions which made me realize that I will get there eventually. Very well worth reading.

As a MD a little simplistic, but good overall.Interesting ideas. I liked the chapter on placebo!My favorite Gavin Francis book is Shapeshifters.

This book is written in down to earth, practical terms by an MD who has retained his sense of proportion in a position of authority. His examples and references make his points clearly. His point of view is kind and balancing, helping a person allow themselves time and space to deal with the situation from which they are recovering. He advocates for society to support that need.

This book is timely.each of us at some time has to recover from an injury surgery. The book tells us the road to recovery is an individual one and we need to be patient with ourselves.