Healing the Wounds: 2nd rev. ed. [Paperback]

David Hilfiker (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1881871231 | ISBN-13: 978-1881871231 | Publication Date: January 1, 1998

Healing the Wounds is the most revealing book eve written by a doctor about his own profession. In it David Hilfiker breaks the silence surrounding the everyday practice of medicine and gives us a dramatically personal account of how the family doctor gets by in a world of spiraling information and high anxiety. Drawing on his years of rural and urban experience, Dr. Hilfiker lets us all know what it really feels like to be a doctor. What do you do when you make a serious medical mistake? Is it enjoyable to play God? What do you say to a patient who wants reassurance when the essence of diagnosis is uncertainty? What about money? What happens when you patient is taking forever, your waiting room's full, and you want to get home? Dr. David Hilfiker graduated from Yale College and the University of Minnesota Medical School. He practiced medicine as a Board Certified Family Practitioner in a small town in rural Minnesota from 1975 to 1982, and now works in Washington, D.C., where he is medical director of Community of Hope Health Services and St. Joseph's House, a shelter for homeless men with AIDS.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

As a family practitioner in rural Minnesota, Dr. Hilfiker experienced professional burnout. He now works in two small clinics in Washington, D.C., and has written this account of the events. Rarely does the lay public get this view of the medical profession. Hilfiker details the frustration, stress, and fear of failure inherent in the practice of medicine and the fact that medical schools overlook the emotional and human side of the physician during training. He explores why misunderstandings occur between doctor and patient and makes suggestions for what might be done to improve the relationship. Hilfiker has succeeded admirably in writing a book that will reach ``people on both sides of the medical experience.'' Highly recommended. Linda Morgan Davis, Physicians Insurance Co. of Ohio (PICO) Lib., Columbus
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Dr. David Hilfiker graduated from Yale College and the University of Minnesota Medical School. He practiced medicine as a Board Certified Family Practitioner in a small town in rural Minnesota from 1975 to 1982, and now works in Washington, D.C., where he is medical director of Community of Hope Health Services and St. Joseph's House, a shelter for homeless men with AIDS.

Product Details

• Paperback: 163 pages
• Publisher: Fordham University Press (January 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1881871231
• ISBN-13: 978-1881871231
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #559,779 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that tells the triumphs & troubles of being a doctor, December 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Healing the Wounds: 2nd rev. ed. (Paperback)

This book does a great job of telling the whole story - the joys and sorrows of being a doctor. Doctors have been gifted in being able to heal the sick but this ability has come with a price that most people are unaware of or other doctors are unwilling to admit to. I admire Dr. Hilfiker's courage as he shares his personal story - a story that is not only very powerful but incredibly emotional. He has written a book that can serve as an inspiration and a source of strength for other doctors.

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended to medical students, practicing physicians, health care providers and patients, February 2, 2011

By 

P. Bose (USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Healing the Wounds: 2nd rev. ed. (Paperback)

Dr. Hilfiker presents the challenges of being a physician very honestly. This book is bound to benefit medical students, physicians, patients, and health care providers who work with doctors as it exposes the realities of the profession from the perspective of a physician who is true to himself about his struggles, limitations, and dilemmas. I also recommend Dr. Hilfiker's writings on his website:[...]

4.0 out of 5 stars Ring of truth, January 14, 2008

By 

Dr. J. R. King - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Healing the Wounds: 2nd rev. ed. (Paperback)

As a UK doctor I found this account chimed to a large extent with my own experience. It is an enjoyable read, very matter of fact, which carries a ring of truth. What shines through is that despite his self doubts, Hilfiker is clearly an excellent and conscientious doctor. "Am I so Bad?" he asks, and the answer is invariably "No, you are just human like the rest of us". Dr Hilfiker recognises that he is a caring sort of person and throughout the book he is self-critical almost to a fault, a refreshing change perhaps from the traditional arrogance of the old style medic. A minor irritation is that his careful effort to avoid gender bias by using 'she' as well as 'he' sounds contrived and unnatural. Fortunately he soon forgets about this, and on the whole his style is simple and unpretentious. The spiritual dimension to this book becomes increasing apparent as one reads through it. Following a period of contemplation in the wilderness (Finland), it makes entire sense that he returns to redeem his sins by working with the poor of inner city Washington, for a reduced salary.