The Other End of the Stethoscope: The Physician's Perspective on the Health Care Crisis - Hardcover

Reed M D, Diana

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 146854411X ISBN 13: 9781468544114

Publisher: Authorhouse, 2012

Synopsis

In this book, I hope to enlighten readers about the physician's life, and how the current medical climate has affected everything we do, every decision we make and our career satisfaction. The deterioration of the doctor-patient relationship has gotten worse and worse, fraught with mistrust from both ends of the stethoscope. If we are to turn the current situation around, we must understand the issues.

My purpose in writing this book is to inform and educate people about the life of a doctor, the rigorous training involved, the daily routine of medical practice and the difficulties of reconciling the business of medicine with our ultimate goal of healing. My emphasis is on how the health care and malpractice crises affect physicians, and on how the doctor-patient relationship has suffered. Through a combination of personal reflections, surveys of physicians, statistical references and examples, I paint a picture of the physician that is more reality based than the TV shows, yet just as dramatic. This book attempts to portray physicians as people, not commodities and not technical robots, not the ultra rich and certainly not the heartless.

I felt that I had something to contribute to the health care literature, especially in light of the changes coming as a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. While there is promise of improving access to health care for patients, the burdens placed on physicians and their attitudes toward this legislation need to be expressed. We need to understand the issues from the physicians' perspective, from the other end of the stethoscope.

My mission is to convey the importance for all people to pay attention to the medical profession, to understand their physicians' struggles and rewards, and to assist in salvaging the relationship that is suffering between doctor and patient. Suggestions for possible solutions to the ongoing problems facing doctors in this country are presented. I hope this book helps to promote better communication and transparency in the medical field. My advice to those of you considering a career in medicine or surgery; Go into it with open eyes and open hearts. For the rest of you, humanity, please remember that physicians too are only human.

About this title

About the Author:

Dr Reed was born in New York, trained in California, attending UC Irvine for medical school and UC San Diego for Neurology residency. Dr Reed had two children during medical school. She is a board certified Neurologist who has worked in five states, from solo private practice, small groups, a large multispecialty group, locum tenens and as assistant professor at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. She has been published in the Journal of Surgical Pathology and Neurology, and given numerous lectures. In the peak of her clinical career, she became disabled by a work related injury and complications of spine surgery. She later recovered enough to work in radiology managed care, gaining experience in the insurance industry. After five spine surgeries, she is now retired and lives near Nashville Tennessee. With a wide range of experience in medicine and in life's ups and downs, she has finally had the time to reflect and report on the life of the physician. Her mission is to convey the importance for all people to pay attention to the medical profession, and to understand health care issues from the physicians' perspective.

Review:

Reed--a neurologist--provides a passionate and detailed look at the American health care system. An excellent primer for gaining a better understanding of the U.S. health care system.Kirkus Reviewskirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/diana-reed/the-other-end-of-the-stethoscope/#review

Reviewed by Joy Hannabass for Readers' Favorite- a 2013 Bronze Award Winner

 After reading this book, I have an altogether different outlook on doctors in general!
This is a book that everyone would benefit from. It really helped me to know what my doctors face as they see very different patients from day to day. I have always said that it takes a special person to be a doctor or nurse, and after reading this book, it confirms what I have always believed. Doctors are special people that we all should love and respect for what they do to help people on a daily basis.

About this edition

• Publisher: Authorhouse
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 146854411X
• ISBN 13: 9781468544114
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 196