Inspiring books for med students?

[Ezekiel20]

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Hi all

I just joined the forum. I am a 1st yr med student studying at Sydney University in Australia.

I was wondering if anybody could suggest autobiographies/biographies of famous doctors, who talk about their career choices, experiences in med school, life etc.

I have already read the biography of Australian heart surgeon Dr Victor Chang written by his daughter after his tragic death.

(You can buy this book from amazon.com, at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...104-7089123-7199147?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)

So if anyone has any suggestions, that'd be great.

Cheers

 

[StringBean]

Don't know if you are female (although I guess males could enjoy it too) the book This Side of Doctoring, Reflections from Women in Medicine by Eliza Lo Chin, MD is a GREAT book. It's full of letters, thoughts, poems, etc., from hundreds of women physicians. From those as far back as Elizabeth Blackwell (1st American Woman Physician) to women making they're way through this craziness now with us. I just can't say enough about this book. Fantastic book for women in medicine to experience!

🙂

 

[thegoogler]

I recommend:

(1) Just Here Trying to Save a Few Lives by Pamela Grim (great name for a doctor, huh?)

(2) anything by Perri Klaas

 

[rpkall]

I'd recommend "Letters to a Young Doctor" by Richard Selzer. That was probably my fav of the ones I've read. Each story is short, most are non-fiction but well written vignettes, and the writing is actually very good. If you like fiction, he wrote a book of short stories called "The Doctor Stories" too. He uses a lot of literary allusion and some annoyingly big words, but if you have the internet handy and you bother to look a couple things up, you'll get the most out of it. 😉

 

[katrinadams9]

What I learned in Medical School: Personal stories by young doctors

On Call by Dr. Emily Transue

Also, has anyone read the "Child Called It" trilogy? It's very sad, but I think everyone going into medicine (especially those wanting to do peds or FM) should read this book. Provides lots of insight into the child abuse issue... It's very hard to read without crying though.

 

[Ezekiel20]

Thanks all for posting.

I will see if I can get a hold of those books.

I do remember there was an autobiography of a black american surgeon, apparently a famous one - I think he was also Christian, and talk about his career/faith etc.. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

I tried searching on amazon, but was unsuccessful without knowing the title.

Thanks again

 

[a_ditchdoc]

Thanks all for posting.

I will see if I can get a hold of those books.

I do remember there was an autobiography of a black american surgeon, apparently a famous one - I think he was also Christian, and talk about his career/faith etc.. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

I tried searching on amazon, but was unsuccessful without knowing the title.

Thanks again

Ikhyun

Of course, The House of God is a great book, but I would not call it inspiring. My favorite thus far is Mountains Beyond Mountains. It is a book about Dr. Paul Farmer and his work in Haiti. It is certainly the most inspirational book I have read concerning medicine.

I believe the book you are looking for is "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story". He is a Neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins. Another great read...

 

[Ezekiel20]

Of course, The House of God is a great book, but I would not call it inspiring. My favorite thus far is Mountains Beyond Mountains. It is a book about Dr. Paul Farmer and his work in Haiti. It is certainly the most inspirational book I have read concerning medicine.

I believe the book you are looking for is "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story". He is a Neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins. Another great read...

Thanks for that - I think that's the one I was after. 🙂