This is the debut autobiography of a Columbia Presbyterian heart surgeon. Unlike many surgeon/writers this is full of humility, self-doubt and self-deprecation. But I have known surgeons who were perfect considerate humble gentlemen outside the operating room, but tyrants hurling invective at everyone in the OR.
Much of the narrative like the description of working in a coal processing plant and as a linesman for a telephone company before entering medical school has nothing to do with medicine or science. The description of the storied Balto diptheria delivery to Nome has little to do with the author’s life although I presume it is meant to be some kind of analogy.
The author became bored with doing heart and heart-lung transplants and delegated that to others, to pursue other innovations. The description of weekly Morbidity and Mortality rounds is easy to relate to as others seized the opportunity to point out my errors or my oversight.
The discussion of the effects of hospital mergers and remuneration schemes for doctors will be of interest mostly to doctors and health economists. His musing about the drastic effects of Covid-19, the many false claims of benefits and the anti-vaccination scene are spot on. He dose not hesitate to praise the other health care workers who endured hardship throughout it.
The writing is generally easy to follow although the details of working in a coal processing plant and as a linesman for a telephone company were a bit challenging.
The discussion is centred on the flawed U.S. health care system, with little acknowledgement of it’s shortcomings.
8/10
Thanks, Book Browse.
The Passionate Reader 