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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
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This was my third book by Atul Gawande, and just like with the first two, I couldn't put it down. What an exceptional read! “Complications” dives into the world of surgery and medicine in a way that’s both intriguing and approachable.
Gawande shares a range of captivating stories from his own experiences and those of his colleagues. He strikes a perfect balance between the technical aspects of surgery and the very human side of medicine. It’s an eye-opening account of how doctors don’t always get it right and the challenges they face in diagnosing and treating patients.
What’s particularly wonderful about this book is how it transitions seamlessly between personal reflections, thrilling ER anecdotes, and thoughtful observations on medicine and life. Some chapters are deeply personal, delving into the stress of surgical training and the inevitability of tragic mistakes. Others engage with common medical problems that frustrate doctors, like chronic pain and nausea.
However, be warned: this book is not for the faint of heart! It’s quite gory in places and very visceral. If you tend to look away during medical shows when the scalpel comes out, this book might be a bit too intense. But for those who can handle it, it’s a fascinating and rewarding read.
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I always enjoy Dr Gawandes books. This book is a great level set of expectations we as patients have of the medical community. Thank you.
awande
Fascinating! Gawande is a brilliant writer and does a great job distilling big topics down for general readers.
The book starts out talking through some of the difficulties of surgery (and medicine in general), specifically around human fallibility. Patients put their lives in the hands of surgeons who are also just people, and people make mistakes.
Part 2 dives into some medical mysteries - such as chronic pain with no apparent root cause, nausea which can happen for a variety of reasons at varying degrees, and blushing which can be arbitrary and embarrassing.
Part 3 is about how doctors deal with uncertainty and how data often doesn’t paint a full picture of what a patient is going through.
Fascinating! Gawande is a brilliant writer and does a great job distilling big topics down for general readers.
The book starts out talking through some of the difficulties of surgery (and medicine in general), specifically around human fallibility. Patients put their lives in the hands of surgeons who are also just people, and people make mistakes.
Part 2 dives into some medical mysteries - such as chronic pain with no apparent root cause, nausea which can happen for a variety of reasons at varying degrees, and blushing which can be arbitrary and embarrassing.
Part 3 is about how doctors deal with uncertainty and how data often doesn’t paint a full picture of what a patient is going through.
This book was such a good easy read that I flew through. It talked about the details of medicine and different aspects of healthcare that are often not talked about which gave me new insights into little details.
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
informative
slow-paced