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519 reviews for:
Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science by Atul Gawande
Atul Gawande, Atul Gawande
4.21 AVERAGE
519 reviews for:
Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science by Atul Gawande
Atul Gawande, Atul Gawande
4.21 AVERAGE
This is a very engaging and enjoyable book about Gawande's experiences as a medical resident, grouped by chapters on fallibility, mystery and uncertainty. In many of the cases, mystery and fear of fallibility contribute greatly to the uncertainty.
As with some other specialized fields, outsiders looking in often assume medical doctors very rarely makes mistakes, fully understand their current problems and are supremely confident in their decision making. Though I am nowhere near the level of Dr. Gawande in my field of software engineering, I think others believe I make fewer mistakes, know more about all of my work and am more certain of my decisions than I actually am, so it was reassuring to hear his stories. There's a fine line between humility and self awareness on one side and Impostor Syndrome on the other.
The book weakened just over halfway in, especially in the chapters on vomiting and blushing. Mary Roach would have done those topics better justice. But Gawande pulled the book together strongly in the final section on uncertainty, especially the final chapter.
I definitely recommend this book if, like me, you wish you knew more about the day to day life and work of a surgeon. Gawande is a fantastic writer and chronicler of his profession.
As with some other specialized fields, outsiders looking in often assume medical doctors very rarely makes mistakes, fully understand their current problems and are supremely confident in their decision making. Though I am nowhere near the level of Dr. Gawande in my field of software engineering, I think others believe I make fewer mistakes, know more about all of my work and am more certain of my decisions than I actually am, so it was reassuring to hear his stories. There's a fine line between humility and self awareness on one side and Impostor Syndrome on the other.
The book weakened just over halfway in, especially in the chapters on vomiting and blushing. Mary Roach would have done those topics better justice. But Gawande pulled the book together strongly in the final section on uncertainty, especially the final chapter.
I definitely recommend this book if, like me, you wish you knew more about the day to day life and work of a surgeon. Gawande is a fantastic writer and chronicler of his profession.
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
informative
medium-paced
One of my favorite books from when I was in high school and didn’t disappoint on the reread.
Key takeaways:
- I really enjoyed the chapter about hernias, and how computers tend to be better than doctors at diagnosing conditions. It's easy to think that my experience makes me better in most cases than a computer or algorithm could be, but that isn't the case. I expect this would be true outside of diagnosing disease, and should apply in other fields as well.
- The hernia chapter also discussed the success of a hospital that only repairs hernias. They are significantly more efficient and have a much higher success rate. Again, this could likely be extrapolated to other areas of life as well.
- I really enjoyed the chapter about hernias, and how computers tend to be better than doctors at diagnosing conditions. It's easy to think that my experience makes me better in most cases than a computer or algorithm could be, but that isn't the case. I expect this would be true outside of diagnosing disease, and should apply in other fields as well.
- The hernia chapter also discussed the success of a hospital that only repairs hernias. They are significantly more efficient and have a much higher success rate. Again, this could likely be extrapolated to other areas of life as well.
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
I think this is Gawande's first book because it contains essays that were previously published. He highlights the critical thinking behind doctors' decisions, particularly the thinking surgeons perform. As the title implies, medicine is more complicated than autonomous responses to health problems. Medicine is a very human endeavor that is imperfect, requiring judgments, influenced by context and emotions and ever evolving.
True, Gawanade discusses several case studies in detail, but his purpose is to highlight the critical thinking behind those cases. Engaging and thought provoking.
True, Gawanade discusses several case studies in detail, but his purpose is to highlight the critical thinking behind those cases. Engaging and thought provoking.
Very good summary of the mysteries of medicine
Loved reading Dr. Gawande's simple descriptions of complex medical mysteries. I also loved that the book showed an honest picture of medicine that felt reassuring to me!
Loved reading Dr. Gawande's simple descriptions of complex medical mysteries. I also loved that the book showed an honest picture of medicine that felt reassuring to me!
A few of the essays were a miss for me, but overall I loved reading about where medicine and psychology meet in our modern healthcare system.
Entertaining, quick read. I was expecting a little more based on 5-star reviews on Amazon, but it wasn't a waste of time. I'd read his newest one, entitled "Better".
Interestingly framed as a narrative as opposed to a scientific report. Like greys anatomy but a book from an actual surgeon.