Medical literature 3

I actually quite like this book. Although it covers similar ground to the other junior doctor memoirs and is also pre-EWTD, for some reason it doesn't read quite so artificial, probably because it's a collection of short articles written for the Guardian over a period of time, which also makes it a good toilet book.

The author comes over as likeable and self-deprecating in the right measures. He covers the usual topics of sleep deprivation and the rest but offers some personal insights. Unlike other books ("Trust me, I'm a ...") it doesn't read like it could've been set in any workplace.

And, surprise, he chooses to specialise in psych.

Medical literature 2

Here's another dated memoir, IMO, although I enjoyed this. Well written, interesting, but a lens to view the world of medicine 20 years ago. I used to work in the hospital where Dr Sparrow trained, and I saw the tail end of what you might call "diversified" medical training (ie lots of drunk rugger buggers).

To be honest, with less of a focus on prior exam performance and the like and more of a broader view of what makes a good doctor, it may be that the older intake of students made for better (that is, more rounded) medics than the current crop.

That being said, I'm surprised that the public still enjoy reading about the young masters' antics at medical school, getting drunk, stealing the toilets / mascots of rival medical schools, being "helped" through exams, chatting up the laydeez and generally behaving like a rampaging Dirk Bogarde. But, buy these books they do so perhaps the medical profession should revert to being a paternalistic profession and make the general public feel like they are being wrapped up in a warm, cosy blanket whenever they are admitted to hospital. Doctor know best.

There's good review of the book here.

Medical literature

Not the most auspicious cover in the world: an Ipcress-era Michael Caine / Julian Clarey lookylikey with too much eyeliner stares out, his mouth somewhat ajar. Above, a glowing reference from Maureen Lipman, possibly impressed by the author's numerous -ologies. A Radio 4 book of the week sticker. Yes, we're well into middle class England territory with this one. Give it to your daughter for her 17th birthday pre-med school interview sort of thing.

It's another "diary of a house officer" book. I picked it up at St Vincent's for $6 (that place has got expensive). Inside, the usual tales of know-nothing first day jnr doctors, advice not to need hospital treatment in the UK in the first week of August, scary consultants etc etc. Nicely written, a likeable, modest author, an hour to read, not a lot to learn. Indeed, no insights as far as I can see albeit from my position as a semi-insider.

Thing is, it reads like it comes from another era. It's pre-MTAS, pre-EWTD; an age when the problem for medical graduates was too much work, too much choice. To be fair to the author, he adds a note at the end of the book to acknowledge this which serves to strip the work of most of it's relvence.

I can't see the point of this book. It may as well as been set in a photocopy shop: genuine anecdotes which connect you with the human side of the job are few and far between. Sure, he screws up an misses a PE. Stripping that out leaves a fairly dull and predictable office romance between an older, married more senior man and the office junior to dominate most of the proceedings.

And, like every other intern / HO who has written a book, he becomes a psychiatrist. What's that all about?

Addendum: he's written a follow up about his SHO year, it seems. At this rate, he's going to have thirty-odd by the time he retires, although "my year marking time as an SpR" might not grip the reader so. If he worked on the counter in Boots he'd meet more people and probably have more of an insight in the human condition. The cover of his new book is worse, btw.