What It Takes To Be A Doctor

An essential guide for anyone contemplating a career as a doctor, by one of Australia's finest practitioners – and writers 2018 finalist book for The Australian Career Book Award – supported by the Royal Society of Arts in Australia and New Zealand What is the life of a doctor really like? Is there an end to studying? Are money and prestige guaranteed? Can a fulfilling medical career and a satisfying family life co-exist and what support can a parent or partner give? Which doctors are the happiest? What is the most important question to ask yourself before studying medicine? An insider’s calm and considered answers could determine whether you choose to pursue this high-stakes career. Becoming a doctor is a tremendous privilege and a serious responsibility. With her trademark warmth and story-telling ability, Ranjana Srivastava delves into the reality of being a doctor in the modern era of medicine. Through lived experience as a front-line clinician, prolific writer, and mother, she celebrates the highlights of being a doctor but doesn't flinch from the disappointments. Her compelling stories illustrate the hidden facets of a life in medicine. From the burden of prolonged medical training and the regret of mismatched expectations, to the humility of caring and the joy of making a difference, this book contains illuminating observations, reflection and advice that should be required reading for anyone contemplating a career as a doctor. 'Deciding to study medicine is a momentous decision, and Ranjana Srivastava has created a long overdue and indispensable guide peppered with invaluable advice and insights - a must-read.' Dr Michael Carr-Gregg, Adolescent Psychologist

This insightful and candid guide unveils the truth about medical school, residency, and the fascinating realities that await aspiring physicians beyond the classroom. On Becoming a Doctor provides an essential roadmap for your medical odyssey including: Comprehensive Guidance: Delve into the intricacies of medical school life and residency, as well as the challenges and rewards of being a doctor. Gain invaluable insights into the various medical specialties, allowing you to make informed decisions about your future career path. First-Hand Accounts: Written by seasoned medical professionals, this book provides authentic first-hand accounts of the rigors and triumphs experienced throughout medical training. Learn from their experiences and use their wisdom to navigate your own journey with confidence. Balancing Life and Work: Discover the secrets to maintaining a healthy work-life balance in the demanding world of medicine. On Becoming a Doctor offers practical tips on managing stress, fostering personal well-being, and nurturing a fulfilling personal life alongside a thriving medical career. Residency Success Strategies: Unravel the complexities of the residency application process and equip yourself with indispensable strategies to stand out in this highly competitive arena. Our expert advice will empower you to excel during your residency and launch a successful medical career. Patient Stories: Be inspired by heartwarming and insightful patient stories that illustrate the transformative power of compassionate healthcare. Learn how to provide exceptional patient care and forge meaningful connections with those you serve. Navigating Medical Challenges: From medical ethics dilemmas to emotional resilience, On Becoming a Doctor addresses the diverse challenges doctors encounter. Equip yourself with the tools to overcome obstacles and make a lasting impact on the lives of your patients. Thriving Beyond Residency: Beyond residency lies a vast landscape of opportunities. Learn about alternative career paths, research opportunities, and potential for leadership roles within the medical community. Unlock your potential and discover what lies ahead in your fulfilling medical journey. Empower yourself with knowledge, empathy, and resilience as you embrace the transformative journey of becoming a doctor. A perfect graduation gift for any aspiring medical professional!

"A first-person narrative that takes readers inside the medical profession as one doctor solves real-life medical mysteries"--Provided by publisher.

A look at the emotional side of medicine—the shame, fear, anger, anxiety, empathy, and even love that affect patient care Physicians are assumed to be objective, rational beings, easily able to detach as they guide patients and families through some of life’s most challenging moments. But doctors’ emotional responses to the life-and-death dramas of everyday practice have a profound impact on medical care. And while much has been written about the minds and methods of the medical professionals who save our lives, precious little has been said about their emotions. In What Doctors Feel, Dr. Danielle Ofri has taken on the task of dissecting the hidden emotional responses of doctors, and how these directly influence patients. How do the stresses of medical life—from paperwork to grueling hours to lawsuits to facing death—affect the medical care that doctors can offer their patients? Digging deep into the lives of doctors, Ofri examines the daunting range of emotions—shame, anger, empathy, frustration, hope, pride, occasionally despair, and sometimes even love—that permeate the contemporary doctor-patient connection. Drawing on scientific studies, including some surprising research, Dr. Danielle Ofri offers up an unflinching look at the impact of emotions on health care. With her renowned eye for dramatic detail, Dr. Ofri takes us into the swirling heart of patient care, telling stories of caregivers caught up and occasionally torn down by the whirlwind life of doctoring. She admits to the humiliation of an error that nearly killed one of her patients and her forever fear of making another. She mourns when a beloved patient is denied a heart transplant. She tells the riveting stories of an intern traumatized when she is forced to let a newborn die in her arms, and of a doctor whose daily glass of wine to handle the frustrations of the ER escalates into a destructive addiction. But doctors don’t only feel fear, grief, and frustration. Ofri also reveals that doctors tell bad jokes about “toxic sock syndrome,” cope through gallows humor, find hope in impossible situations, and surrender to ecstatic happiness when they triumph over illness. The stories here reveal the undeniable truth that emotions have a distinct effect on how doctors care for their patients. For both clinicians and patients, understanding what doctors feel can make all the difference in giving and getting the best medical care.

What does it mean to be a good doctor today? Dr. Thomas Lee, a renowned practicing physician, healthcare executive, researcher, and policy expert, takes us to the frontlines of care delivery to meet inspiring, transformative doctors who are making a profound difference in patients’ lives—as well as their own. These revealing, intimate profiles of seven remarkable physicians are more than a reminder of the importance of putting patients first. They provide an invaluable working model of what it means to be a good doctor, how to become one, and how to remain one for the benefit of patients and colleagues alike. It’s a model that sustains physicians themselves over years and decades, combating the constant threat of burnout. These stories capture the daily challenges every caregiver faces—while highlighting the amazing personal triumphs that make their jobs so rewarding. You’ll meet Dr. Emily Sedgwick, the breast radiologist who redesigned screening techniques to reduce patients’ fears; Dr. Merit Cudkowicz, a neurologist who is leading the way in ALS research and treatments; Dr. Mike Englesbe, a transplant surgeon who is improving how physicians prescribe analgesics in response to the opioid epidemic; Dr. Laura Monson, a pediatric plastic surgeon addressing the long-term social effects of cleft palates; Dr. Lara Johnson, a primary care physician dedicated to providing care to the homeless; Dr. Joseph Sakran, a trauma surgeon who started a movement among healthcare providers to curb gun violence, and Dr. Babacar Cisse, a neurosurgeon who was an undocumented alien and once worked as a restaurant busboy, and epitomizes what it means to be a “Dreamer.” Their stories are not only powerful but offer practical lessons and insights into developing high reliability cultures, resilience, and improvement mindsets. This is what is takes to be a good doctor.

Berndl guides readers through the highs and lows of becoming a physician in Canada in a clear outline of the challenges and realities of medicine.

Take the inside track to medical school with expert advice from a specialist. Getting into medical school in Canada isn’t easy—you need to stand out among a field of highly motivated and accomplished applicants. In fact, most applicants aren’t successful the first time they apply. Christine Fader was an application reviewer and interviewer at a Canadian medical school for eight years and has worked as a career counsellor at Queen’s University and in private practice for 20 years. After helping thousands of students through the medical-school application and interview process, she has a wealth of insight about what helps to elevate an applicant’s chances and what doesn’t. In Just What the Doctor Ordered, she shares her secrets, including: - Starting to prepare for future medical school applications while still in high school can set you up for success—and needn’t be stressful. - Good grades aren’t enough! Learn what experience you need—and how to describe it—to gain an edge. - Take a smart approach to the MCAT and CASPer by knowing the keys to preparation. - Make your application shine with examples and tips on the essay and short-answer sections. - Ace your interview with strategies to help you prepare for the types of questions interviewers ask. Learn from stories about other applicants, just like you! Whether you’re a high school student laying the groundwork for a career in medicine or a university student working on med school applications now, Christine shows you how to maximize your chances of getting accepted to a Canadian medical school. Includes help for parents, too!

After interviewing over 75 parents of doctors, a young physician and father reveals their wisdom as it pertains to parenting and leadership!Healthcare is a noble profession. The ability to serve others daily, diagnose illness, and save patients' lives is a career unlike any other. Medicine consistently ranks among the highest paid professions! And, the most competitive. So, what can you do to prepare your child for success?In How to Raise a Doctor: Wisdom from Parents who Did It!, Dr. Dale Okorodudu draws from the lessons of parents who strategically and successfully guided their children to become medical doctors, without forcing it upon them. It turns out that for many of these parents, it really wasn't that difficult. After interviewing more than 75 parents of physicians, Dr. Dale provides their most essential instructions for raising doctors in this practical and powerful book. These are key strategies that you can begin applying today! From childhood character traits, daily habits, and parenting styles, to the medical school application process, How to Raise a Doctor covers it all.Dale Okorodudu, MD, is an Amazon best selling author. He is a triple board certified physician, having trained at Duke University Medical Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and the University of Missouri School of Medicine. As the founder of PreMedSTAR.com and Black Men In White Coats, Dr. Dale has helped countless premedical students gain admission to medical school. He is married to his college sweetheart and they have three amazing children. To learn more about Dr. Dale, please visit: DoctorDaleMD.com