When you start your medical studies, you will always have textbooks like Anatomy and Physiology with you, and you will also have to read a lot of scientific research papers. But if you want to read some books before you enter the medical field that will give you a glimpse of the real life of being a doctor – whether it is in the clinic, in the research lab or in the operation theatre – then this article is for you.
The books below are not just informative, but will give you a deeper understanding of the medical profession and the human experience. These books are also great for students who are already preparing for their career, such as those attending the Oxford Summer School.
Bad Science – by Ben Goldacre
If you are interested in medical research (which every medical student should be), then this book is a must-read. British physician and researcher Ben Goldacre has written this book with a mix of humour and facts. In it, he explains how sometimes even scientific research is dishonest – such as some researchers or institutions hiding their results because they will not be published.
This book introduces you to both the good and bad of the world of research. Medical students should also read this book because it gives them a basic understanding of the “scientific method” – that too in a very interesting and satirical way.
This Is Going to Hurt – by Adam Kay
If you have to read only one book from this list, it should be this one. This book is a collection of Adam Kay’s experiences as a gynecologist. He explains how the process of admission to medical school is strange and unpredictable, and how the life of a junior doctor is full of challenges.
Sometimes witnessing someone’s death for the first time, sometimes saving someone’s life for the first time – this book presents the reality of the medical field with humor and sensitivity. This book is invaluable for understanding what the life of a doctor in the NHS (National Health Service, UK) is like.
Where There Is No Doctor – by David Werner
This book was written for people who live in areas where doctors are not available. The book is primarily based on the experiences of a village in western Mexico and offers practical solutions to rural health problems.
Problems like AIDS, malaria, abortion and drug addiction are mentioned in this book, and how to deal with them with simple resources. If you want to know what the life of a doctor in developing countries is like, then this book is a must read.
Do No Harm – by Henry Marsh
Henry Marsh, a neurosurgeon, brings out the brutal realities of the operation theatre in this book. As a doctor, making decisions when you have someone’s life in your hands is not easy – especially when each decision can change someone’s life forever.
This book explains how a surgeon sometimes has to choose the lesser of two evils – like paralyzing someone but saving their life. This book is extremely human and thought-provoking.
When Breath Becomes Air – by Paul Kalanithi
Paul Kalanithi was a neurosurgeon who was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 30. In this book, he not only shares his journey of illness, but also explains “what is the real meaning of life?”
As a doctor, he often made decisions about whose lives could be saved, whose could not, and whose lives would not be worth saving. This book teaches you how a person views life when he is close to death, and how a doctor should communicate this to the patient and his family.
The House of God – by Samuel Shem
This is the only fiction book on this list, but its story is based on true experiences. Written by a psychiatrist in the 1970s, this book is the story of a new medical intern “Roy”.
Full of humor and satire, this novel shows medical students how complicated life can be after graduation. The book also has some fun “hospital rules,” such as:
“If the radiology resident and the medical student both see a spot on an X-ray, there is no spot.”
Being Mortal – by Atul Gawande
In this book, American surgeon Atul Gawande explains how care for the sick and the elderly has changed over time. Earlier, American hospitals were just places to keep the sick, where care was lacking. But as technology and medicine came, things changed.
Gawande also discusses how the elderly are cared for by families in India and the Middle East, and why this culture has weakened in Western countries. Along with this, sensitive issues like assisted suicide have also been touched upon in detail in the book.
Conclusion:
The special thing about all these books is that they not only impart knowledge but also provide a deep understanding of the emotional, ethical and social aspects of the medical profession. If you are a medical student or dreaming of joining this field, then definitely read these books.
