When we add positive thinking to the mix, we are not guaranteed final success but surely have a much better chance of achieving our health goals.

There is second key lesson, apart from positive thinking, which emerges from Dermot's story. He took responsibility for his own health. He did not rely solely on the doctor to cure him.

Taking responsibility for our own health is not a burden but a relief. There is something we can do apart from sitting in waiting rooms and consulting a doctor for the average ten minutes. We might even enjoy the experience of finding out more about what produces good health.

We can test out several systems for ourselves and decide, for ourselves, which works best for us.

I found the whole interview to be a refreshing change from the usual clash between conventional and complementary medicine and am relieved to think that I can take responsibility for my own health.