The idea for this book was conceived more than 15 years ago when Judy Irwig began to realise how fortunate she was to have an epidemiologist for a husband. When so many other people that she knew were floundering in a sea of often conflicting and confusing health information, Judy was able to ask Les to help her evaluate health advice. Often, Judy was surprised to discover that health information that was being widely circulated, whether in the media or by friends or even health professionals, was not reliable.
As Judy’s skills in appraising health advice developed, she began to think that everyone should have access to the same sort of information that she did. And so she started work on the themes of this book. Judy and Les then invited Melissa Sweet, a journalist who had written widely about evidence-based healthcare and the importance of patients playing an active role in their health decisions, to contribute to the project. The result was Smart Health Choices: How to make informed health decisions, published in Australia in 1999 by Allen & Unwin.
When it came time to update the book for this more international edition, Dr Lyndal Trevena, a Sydney GP and academic at the University of Sydney, was the perfect person for the job. Her commitment to evidence-based practice and 20 years’ experience as a GP gave her a powerful clinical and academic perspective on the issues so important for smart health choices. ‘I try to communicate with my patients about evidence whenever I can,’ says Lyndal.
This new edition contains many extra examples and sections. But Les is delighted that the core elements remain the same. ‘This suggests that the principles we recommend as important for making smart health choices will be of enduring help,’ he says.
The authors are delighted that the Australian cartoonist, Ron Tandberg’s work also features in the second edition.
The authors would also like to thank the many people who have contributed to this book, directly and indirectly. For their thoughtful comments and their encouragement along the way we thank:
Joan Austoker, Hilda Bastian, Kathy Bell, Wayne Bell, Helen and Ray Berman, Maria-Ines Bruce, Sidney Buckland, Carol Chaitowitz, Iain Chalmers, Barbara and Jonathan Craig, Vikki Entwistle, Trish Greenhalgh, David Grieve, Sonia Irwig, Wendy Fine, Steven Fine, Paul and Nancy Glasziou, Kevin Irwig, Marcelle and Ken Israelstam, Sue Jackson, Andre Joffe, Danielle Joffe, Lyn March, Gill Muncke, Gerd Muncke, Andy Oxman, Sally Redman, David Sackett, Martin Stockler, Fiona Stanley, Martin Tattersall.
Les and Judy would particularly like to thank their wonderful family for their love and support, and for believing so wholeheartedly in this project.
Lyndal would like to thank Steve, Daniel, Emma, Ruth, Janice and Don for their endless love and support.
We also thank those authors and researchers from whose books and studies we have taken examples.
