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520 reviews for:
Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science by Atul Gawande
Atul Gawande, Atul Gawande
4.21 AVERAGE
520 reviews for:
Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science by Atul Gawande
Atul Gawande, Atul Gawande
4.21 AVERAGE
informative
reflective
slow-paced
One of the most fascinating but cohesive books I've read this year. I seem to be reading a lot of books lately that focus in the finer points of a specific subject from a micro perspective. Just in the past few months, I've read books that take an exhaustive look at things like traffic, trash, and polio. However, the finer points can prove to quickly overwhelm the reader - not so with this book, that walked the fine line between too much and not enough info beautifully. While "Complications" is far from being a complete study of the imperfections of medicine, it's fluidity and closely interrelated topics give the reader an amazing look inside what doctors don't know.
Truthfully, I started this book with some trepidation; we all want to think that our doctors are supremely competent and that mistakes and rare. If Gawande proves this idyllic image false, then what? To be sure, Gawande, a surgeon himself, shatters the common stereotype that I - and many others, I'm sure - have taken as truth. However, far from scaring the reader, he reveals over and over that doctors are ultimately human and have their foibles. Rather than punishing and crucifying them, though, he urges a healthy dose (pun intended) of compassion. Certainly Gawande has reasons to urge this viewpoint, but by recounting episodes that happened to him as an intern, resident, and surgeon, he lets the reader discover that medicine is never as black and white as we think it to be; decisions have to be made quickly, often under pressure, with immense consequences looming.
Gawande also pulls in larger themes that were utterly thought-provoking. For instance, we don't like to think of doctors having a learning curve. However, each time a new procedure or treatment is discovered, many doctors must learn them from scratch, making mistakes along the way. "As patients, we want both expertise and progress. What nobody wants to face is that these are contradictory desires." Gawande speaks of interns and residents as forced to "steal" their learning, as a sort of "bodily emininent domain" while the patient is anesthetized, always with an attending physician looking over their shoulder. Not many people would willingly place themselves in the hands of someone admittedly inexperienced; but how else will young doctors gain experience?
The struggle between patient autonomy and doctor expertise is also explored, with persuading arguments for both sides presented. Gawande reminds the reader, though, that "the ill [are:] often in a poor position to make good choices: they [are:] frequently exhausted, irritable, shattered, or despondent. Often, they [are:] just trying to get through their immediate pain, nausea, and fatigue; they could hardly think about major decisions." The author relates that when his infant daughter ended up in the hospital, he was utterly unable to make a decision when her doctors presented him with two courses of action that could be taken. After the options were explained to him, Gawande found that "he did not have the concentration or the energy to weigh the treatment options properly." This, from a well-respected surgeon!
Gawande's writing is fresh, frank, and oddly vulnerable; he makes no qualms about laying his past mistakes out for the reader and explaining why medical mistakes are more likely to happen than not. I closed this book feeling more informed, if not a little more reverent for medicine and doctors in general; we certainly ask a lot of them both.
A great read that I would highly recommend (unless you're a hypochondriac; if this is the case stay far, far away). Not for the squeamish, though, as the author's descriptions are incredibly vivid. The anecdotes of difficult cases, close calls, and unfortunate mistkaes were spellbinding, as well. Will defintely be reading some of his other books.
Truthfully, I started this book with some trepidation; we all want to think that our doctors are supremely competent and that mistakes and rare. If Gawande proves this idyllic image false, then what? To be sure, Gawande, a surgeon himself, shatters the common stereotype that I - and many others, I'm sure - have taken as truth. However, far from scaring the reader, he reveals over and over that doctors are ultimately human and have their foibles. Rather than punishing and crucifying them, though, he urges a healthy dose (pun intended) of compassion. Certainly Gawande has reasons to urge this viewpoint, but by recounting episodes that happened to him as an intern, resident, and surgeon, he lets the reader discover that medicine is never as black and white as we think it to be; decisions have to be made quickly, often under pressure, with immense consequences looming.
Gawande also pulls in larger themes that were utterly thought-provoking. For instance, we don't like to think of doctors having a learning curve. However, each time a new procedure or treatment is discovered, many doctors must learn them from scratch, making mistakes along the way. "As patients, we want both expertise and progress. What nobody wants to face is that these are contradictory desires." Gawande speaks of interns and residents as forced to "steal" their learning, as a sort of "bodily emininent domain" while the patient is anesthetized, always with an attending physician looking over their shoulder. Not many people would willingly place themselves in the hands of someone admittedly inexperienced; but how else will young doctors gain experience?
The struggle between patient autonomy and doctor expertise is also explored, with persuading arguments for both sides presented. Gawande reminds the reader, though, that "the ill [are:] often in a poor position to make good choices: they [are:] frequently exhausted, irritable, shattered, or despondent. Often, they [are:] just trying to get through their immediate pain, nausea, and fatigue; they could hardly think about major decisions." The author relates that when his infant daughter ended up in the hospital, he was utterly unable to make a decision when her doctors presented him with two courses of action that could be taken. After the options were explained to him, Gawande found that "he did not have the concentration or the energy to weigh the treatment options properly." This, from a well-respected surgeon!
Gawande's writing is fresh, frank, and oddly vulnerable; he makes no qualms about laying his past mistakes out for the reader and explaining why medical mistakes are more likely to happen than not. I closed this book feeling more informed, if not a little more reverent for medicine and doctors in general; we certainly ask a lot of them both.
A great read that I would highly recommend (unless you're a hypochondriac; if this is the case stay far, far away). Not for the squeamish, though, as the author's descriptions are incredibly vivid. The anecdotes of difficult cases, close calls, and unfortunate mistkaes were spellbinding, as well. Will defintely be reading some of his other books.
I finished this book about a week ago and the next day my mom fell and f#*$*%* broke her hip. So, this is NOT the type of book to read or even think about when you have someone in the hospital.
Most doctors, especially surgeons, are viewed as infallible but in reality they are just like us. They have bad days, they make mistakes and some of them should really change careers.
The author writes eloquently, with compassion and a clear love for surgery, which made this a fascinating book to delve into. Most of the stories felt anecdotal rather than a deep dive into the details which for a layman like me was perfect.
The author also poses a lot of ethical questions about the profession and how much patient autonomy should be allowed when making health decisions.
If you have any interest in medical memoirs you should try this author at least once.
Most doctors, especially surgeons, are viewed as infallible but in reality they are just like us. They have bad days, they make mistakes and some of them should really change careers.
The author writes eloquently, with compassion and a clear love for surgery, which made this a fascinating book to delve into. Most of the stories felt anecdotal rather than a deep dive into the details which for a layman like me was perfect.
The author also poses a lot of ethical questions about the profession and how much patient autonomy should be allowed when making health decisions.
If you have any interest in medical memoirs you should try this author at least once.
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
This book is so fantastic and fascinating. Loved the medical mysteries.
A gripping articulation of moral & practical dilemmas surgeons face daily.
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Good book reassessing how we look at doctors.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content
Very interesting and written with informative entertainment in mind.