Bedside Stories: Confessions of a Junior Doctor

"Although it may be unpalatable to many, this is exactly what it was ( ?is) like to be junior doctor...I know i was one.
I'm now a consultant and things haven't changed much (other than for the worse)
Read it if you want to get a true perspective as opposed to the nonsense in Holby City, Casualty etc


Whilst you're at it take a look at the Cardiac Arrest series from the 90's now on DVD -- probaly the best hospital TV series ever made"
~ Written on 2007-05-31

"As a medical teacher I was keen to add my thoughts having
just read this book. Like other reviewers I found aspects of this book
negative, missing out a lot of the positive
points out about being a junior doctor.

Having said that there are some parts of the book which were very valuable.

Suicide among doctors is a real issue and it is vital all
doctors, particularly junior doctors, read the section on
pages 80-82; "Suicide is Painless". He writes; "So if
you're a doctor and you think it it's all over and your
whole world has gone irretrievably pear-shaped, I say
this: Bail out. Don't kill yourself. Leave your job. .....
Reclaim your life: have it over again. You're young.
You'll make new friends."

If you have issues relating to views on health service
managers, then read page 118.

And finally, a useful
quotation; "Accident and Emergency is the random anecdote
generator of the NHS, the strange attractor to which all
ridiculousness will gravitate." (Page 68)

The book is well worth a read, particularly for doctors in training.


"
~ Written on 2007-02-20

"This is the only book that tells it like it is about being a junior doctor in the UK. It's funny and dark. A must-read for all doctors and would-be doctors out there."
~ Written on 2005-12-12

"This book is more or less a long, bitter rant. Now there are times when I like that kind of thing, but the negativity is overwhelming here, and incessant! There are some insights into life as a junior doctor to be gleaned if you are not a doctor and there is some (I think almost accidental) comment on real issues about the downsides of medical training. However I am in two minds as to whether I really learnt anything new or indeed if I enjoyed the read. This is a book to borrow from a friend or take out of the library, I don't think I'd buy it again though I am glad I read it."
~ Written on 2005-03-22

"This book started out as an entertaining and humorous account about life as a junior doctor, and quickly disintegrated into a cynical and negative assault on nurses and patients - the very people vital to Foxton's success and employment. Do your health a favour and give it a miss."
~ Written on 2004-10-30