White Coat: Becoming a Doctor at Harvard Medical School Book

I don't agree with the reviewers who are complaining about the author's poor writing. She is probably about as good or better than the average doctor. A lot of reviewers complain that cops are bad writers, electrical engineers are bad writers, and dog groomers are bad writers. Then they should only read books that are written by writers. I happen to like books that are written by insiders and that sometimes means that the writing isn't going to be perfect. It is not going to be in a "writer's voice." It is going to sound like it came from a doctor, a cop, an electrical engineer, or a dog groomer. So be it. Writers are never really going to be anything but writers and their information (except maybe about writing) is always going to be second-hand.

Having said that, the author's dispassion is disturbing and I'm really glad that she's not my doctor. I have several doctors who show every sign of being human and that's the way I like them.

One statement that made me sit up and take notice was made when the author was learning how to do a needle biopsy and the doctor instructing her told her (and, as far as I know, she still believes) that ethyl chloride is not necessary because it does absolutely nothing and is used entirely for placebo effect. I'd certainly pay money to be there when they perform a needle biopsy on a doctor without anesthesia.

In another chapter, a patient they don't particularly like is suffering from dysphagia and has complained when he can't swallow chopped carrots (cooked is usually OK) and rice (which I personally have a lot of trouble swallowing). He asks for applesauce (which is fine) and soup (some are OK, some are not) and is just told that liquids are forbidden and it's carrots and rice or nothing. The lesson is: have someone prepared to smuggle you food. (Yes, I know it's against the rules. Too damned bad.)

One chapter I found particularly frightening was about another patient who was disliked. Hospital staff reacted by totally ignoring her complaints of pain (from a ruptured spleen and a broken pelvis) and shunned her until she very nearly died. After rescuing her at the very last minute from a medical crisis caused by their own negligence, the medical staff (including the author) expected her to be grateful. The lesson is: If you aren't all lolly-pops and rainbows when you are sick, it could get you killed.

After the chapter on ob-gyn I wonder why I am still reading this.