The House Of God

[Darth Asclepius]

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A doctor suggested a read The House of God and I really enjoyed it.

I would also like emphasize what a great book Complications is. I recommended it to the pre-med organization I run and I think all pre-meds could benefit from reading it.

I saw that When the Air Hits Your Brain: Tales of Neurosurgery was mentioned. I loved that book.

If you like books about residents, definitely read Hot Lights, Cold Steel. I actually laughed out loud while reading this, and it's so detailed regarding the residency that you really learn a lot while reading an interesting story.

Thanks! I picked that up yesterday and so far, it's a great book.

 

[fuzzyerin]

I realize the author is trying to say that med school education didn't prepare them at all for actually being a doctor (another thing I think is a bit different now than then).

Ha! You think medical school prepares you for being a doctor? That's the funniest thing I ever heard. You must be a pre-med.

Seriously, though, at some point, you should read House of God. If just to understand what a gomer is, what turfing a patient is, and why the first thing you should do when you go to a code is take your own pluse. Attendings and residents make reference to these things all the time. When I did my MS3 surgery rotation last year, my classmate and I read the book in our albiet limited free time. This was while watching my married surgical intern completely crush on the nurses on the floor, and the nurses on him. He never did anything that I know about, but sex was definitely a topic of convo more frequently than not.

And Complications was a great book with some examples that really struck home - like putting in a central line for the first time. I'd recommend that as well.

 

[doc05]

I understand that many of the people here who have gone through internship think this book is fairly accurate, but I asked a few of the people I know well who are currently either residents or fellows, and they disagreed. It's not worth a debate because I'm sure it depends on your view of things, where you were an intern, and lots of other factors. I just don't think all of us who aren't there yet have to worry that it really is like this, because it very well might not be.

the book is accurate. but you won't understand it, much less enjoy it, unless you've experienced inpatient medicine. wait until you're an ms3 or ms4.

I actually stopped reading it because I couldn't deal with all of the random sex. I don't mind if there's sex, but the fact that all this guy ever thinks about is screwing the nurses and even female patients...it's disturbing and sexist,

why is it so disturbing. what do you think men think about?

and yes I know this was written in the 70s and it's different now. I just think a lot of the disturbing issues in this book are blown way out of proportion. From what my friends tell me, there are certainly parts of internship that are depressing, demoralizing, etc., but not as bad as this book makes it out to be. I'm just saying this because any pre-med who reads this book shouldn't necessarily take it at face value.

the sex part is different, at least somewhat, because of hiv. roy's cynicism re: medicine is perfectly appropriate for the 70's and today. your friends who say that it's "not as bad..." are using a common defense mechanism to help them get through the bad times.

Oh, I'm also curious what others think about the guy Chuck's journey through college and medical school. At first I thought it was making fun of, and sort of bashing, affirmative action, but then Chuck is the most competent of them all.

chuck's journey is hilarious, as is the entire book.

I realize the author is trying to say that med school education didn't prepare them at all for actually being a doctor (another thing I think is a bit different now than then).

very funny. med school doesn't prepare you for actually being a doctor. you must be very young to be so naive.

good luck.

 

[Darth Asclepius]

If you like books about residents, definitely read Hot Lights, Cold Steel. I actually laughed out loud while reading this, and it's so detailed regarding the residency that you really learn a lot while reading an interesting story.

That book made me laugh out loud as well. It was really interesting and the author was very honest about his training and its effects on his family. The only problem I had with it was that I like to read before I go to bed to help me fall asleep and this book kept me up all night 3 nights in a row because I couldn't put it down.