The House of God: The Classic Novel of Life and Death in an American Hospital
Dell - Dell
Release date: 2003-07-01
Paperback
Author: Samuel Shem
Fiction, Fiction - Psychological Suspense, Fiction / Medical, Medical, Interns (Medicine), Medical education, Physicians, Teaching hospitals
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The House of God: The Classic Novel of Life and Death in an American Hospital
Date undefinedi enjoyed reading this novel. in it, the author follows the main character through the trials and tribulations of internship. this book goes a long way to portray physicians as human beings instead of a god-like figure. this book will make you laugh, it will make you sad and it will make you think.
The House of God: The Classic Novel of Life and Death in an American Hospital
Date undefinedThis is a must read for any medical professionals, especially medical students who are deciding what specialty to enter. It is a legendary book in medical school, with good humors, lots of basic knowledge on the ways of medical education as well as give you an understanding on the pitfall of our medical system.
The House of God: The Classic Novel of Life and Death in an American Hospital
Date undefinedI first read this when it had just come out. I had been living in Canada and had just returned to the States and to the American Medical Business.
I was shocked, distressed, disgusted at what I read. Yet, as I knew many first year residents in hospitals at the same time I read this book, I knew how true it was.
I was thoroughly disgusted with the field that exploited its med students (and especially its residents and young physicians, at the great life-and-often-death expense of patients, just so hospitals and attending physicians can enrich themselves.
No wonder the author became a psychiatrist after writing this book.
Sad to say, much of what went on then still stands.
However, some limits on the number of hours residents can work have been placed, due to obvious patient safety.
Much as I love certain things about this country, out-of-control capitalism is not one of them.
And the medical business, like all other industries in this countries, is a prime example of out-of-control capitalism.
Great reading. And a must for patients. Patients should be as informed as possible about the medical industry and its doctors: what they do, what they don't do, what they can and cannot do, what they know and tell us they know.
I always empathize with residents who are over-worked and over-tired, and wonder how many of them survive those years.
