...a substantial contribution to the demystification of theoretical and practical issues surrounding health and social welfare,a subject all too often perceived as being the sole domain of academics. This is a user-friendly publication. Its content is well-structured, making full use of case histories, diagrams, checklists and end-of-chapter summaries. At the same time, through appropriate use of published material, balanced arguments are constructed. This is a stimulating publication which should prove to be of great value to nurse practitioners, particularly those who are interested in furthering their practice through a sound understanding of the theory underpinning it. - Nursing Times This book tackles effectively the relationship between theory and practice in the caring professions...It is a useful text to students of social work, nurses and others inthe caring professions. - ASLIB This book is well organised and written. With professional omnipotence rightly under challenge from consumerist and resource management pressures, this book provides a useful starting point for the pursuit of more knowledge-based and, thus, more defensible practice. - Community Care At last, a book that not only attempts to clarifythe theory-practice gap, but also offers a refreshing approach to solving it...I found this book both stimulating and enjoyable to read. Itis dynamic, but also realistic, and should appeal to practitioners, managers and educationalists caught up in the web of theory and practice. - Health Visitor This book provokes muchthought for the reader in that it opens up many possibilities for further exploration. It encourages the critical questioning that is vitally necessary for those practitioners, educators and trainers who struggle with the elusive and demanding topic of linking theory and practice as a significant part of their working lives. - British Journal of Social Work