This book is my own work, and I alone take responsibility for errors and omissions.
It would not have been possible for me to tackle the vast field of primary
health care without inspiration, insights and contributions from dozens if not
hundreds of academic and clinical colleagues. Many of these people are mentioned
by name in the sections of this book where their input has been direct,
explicit and auditable. But I am also indebted to the numerous colleagues
and students who have provided more subtle, indirect and diffuse input to my
knowledge and understanding of primary health care over the years. They are,
quite literally, too numerous to list in full. I hesitate to single out any individual
or group for special mention because my debt to the academic community is
so extensive, but I must acknowledge in particular my outstanding team of
tutors on the online MSc in International Primary Health Care at University
College London, with whom it is a privilege and a joy to work.
Thanks also to Mary Banks and her team at Blackwell Publishing for the
unrivalled quality of their support in taking this book from an idea on the
back of an envelope to the finished product. They have seen the work go
through many metamorphoses. And finally, to my long-suffering husband
Fraser Macfarlane and sons Rob and Al for their forbearance, patience and
support as the magnum opus slowly took shape.