Really interesting book, both generally and for the research about ‘health and the problem of patient choice’, though the examples used are in a completely different field. Links into the whole set of ‘choices’ which are being presented as the only (neo-liberal) way. Subtle differences here (so far) between Wales and over the border, where the ‘choice’ agenda seems stronger, and will inevitably be played out post election. In essence, Mol argues that good care has little to do with ‘patient choice’ and so promoting patient choice will not improve health care. Indeed, such thinking undermines ways of thinking and acting crucial to health care. Uses examples from diabetes clinics and diabetes self care, the ‘logic of care’ in a is contrasted with the ‘logic of choice’. ‘Good care is not a matter of making well argued individual choices but is something that grows out of collaborative and continuing attempts to attune knowledge and technologies to diseased bodies and complex lives’.

This can also be linked to ideas of  ‘empowerment’ – is that a consumerist or liberational model? how does it link to ideas such as peer mentoring or ‘service user involvement’? Also might link to ideas of ‘technologies of citizenship’.