10 novels that every doctor should read
When we attend clinics, every patient tells a story. Like those, some fascinating stories should be read by every doctor and a medical student or an aspirant. Here are 10 must-read books.
1. When breath becomes air by Paul Kalanithi
”When Breath Becomes Air” is an autobiographical book written by Paul Kalanithi. The author tells us about what he faced as a neurosurgeon. It’s an emotional package. He being a doctor becomes a patient as he was suffering from lung cancer. All the incidents he faced from his childhood till his death are described beautifully. He died in March 2015, while working on this book. Yet his words live on as a guide and gift to all of us medicos.
2. Osler’s “A Way of Life” and other addresses by Sir William Osler
A simple, handy way to get through the day and week written by an icon in the medical profession. It’s an old text. We have come a long way from there. Still, these old text gives a lot of insight in the way a physician thinks.
3. This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay
An entertaining eye-opener for medical students and junior residents. A person who has a dream of going to med school can learn a lot about the experiences of Adam and see if it can change their minds.
4. The House of God by Samuel Shem
One of the most famous books in the medical fraternity. This book beautifully describes the difficulties faced by many doctors and how much harm is caused to patients in the course of their treatment. It’s a little dark book but enlightens everyone who reads it.
5. Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
This book describes how the current medical establishment views the treatment of the elderly population with a terminal illness. The book mainly focuses on the ethical questions that we come across while dealing with geriatric patients. It gives a good insight into the field of palliative care.
6. Emergency Doctor by Edward Ziegler and Lewis R. Goldfrank, M.D.
The book is a collection of stories. It describes doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff who always put the patient first, who see their jobs as noble and go about it completely humble and without ego.
7. The Intern Blues by Robert Marion, M.D.
This book describes what it’s like to be an intern, one of the most tiresome period in the life of medicos. One must read this in medical school before starting their residency/internship.
8. Complications by Atul Gawande, M.D.
A book describing the battles inside an operation theatre. Not just a surgical resident but everyone who has even the slightest interest in medical life should give this book a read.
9. White Coat by Ellen L. Rothman, M.D.
This book is more like a simplified version of the textbook we read in medical college. Of course, it can’t replace them. The book mainly describes medical school rather than hospital life.
10. Diagnosis: Solving the Most Baffling Medical Mysteries by Lisa Sanders, M.D.
Remember House M.D? Here is another book from the medical adviser of that show. We don’t get many chances to see medical mysteries in our practice. Reading this book can take us to the world of medical mysteries.
Nice article….will definitely try to go through some of these novels….good novels always provide an enriching experience…👌👌💯💯👍
Keep up the good work!
Yeah they all are awsm❤