Customer Reviews

Hippocrates' Shadow

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am an emergency physician, trained via the same process as Dr. Newman. He and I learned the same skills, ways of thinking, and axioms. But, he took the time to actually investigate what we are doing- and lo and behold, much of it is flawed, dehumanized and wrong. It's not often that a book changes your practice and way of thinking- but this is it. My perspective, practice and teaching recently reflect Newman's. Recommended for all health workers, and should be a mandatory part of the medical student curriculum.

I am not ordinarily a fan of the anecdotal insert, but in this book it works. Dr. Newman brings a different perspective to the issue of evidence-based medicine, due to his experiences as a combat doctor and emergency room physician. His is a more laid-back style than other books in this field, and is very accessible. He provides specific examples of how our system repeatedly delivers health-care that has been proven ineffective or even outright harmful, while ignoring procedures that have been shown to be useful.

For me, the most fascinating part of the book was the section on "pseudoaxioms" -- medical practices which are enshrined in tradition and totally resistant to all evidence of their lack of efficacy.

I am taking one star off this review for abuse of footnotes. Footnotes can be very valuable to provide tangential or technical information, to be read or ignored as the reader prefers, but all too often in this book the information was essential to the point being made in the text and should have been in the body, not in a footnote. Constantly dropping down to check the footnotes made for a choppy reading flow.

Despite this annoyance, this book is a very good addition to the essential reading list in this area: Nortin Hadler's "The Last Well Person," H. Gilbert Welch's "Should I Be Tested for Cancer?", and Gerd Gigerenzer's "Calculated Risks."

This is a fascinating, honest, and clearly well researched book.

Dr. Newman is skillful in combining anecdotes of his real world experience in "the house of medicine" with thorough research to support his arguments. In addition, I respect that he does not exempt himself from criticism acknowledging that he too is a part of the world of healthcare today. I am a physician, and I can truly say that I learned a lot. Whether you are someone who requires frequent follow up with your physician, or one of the lucky ones who sees his doctor for preventative care only, or you are simply in the market for an intelligent and thought provoking book "Hippocrates' Shadow is a must read.

Unlike several of the earlier reviewers, I am not a medical professional; I'm a patient. I found Hippocrates' Shadow to be among the very best medical writing for laymen. Dr. Newman's ability to explain complicated medical concepts in simple terms, without condescending to the reader, is exceptional. It is obvious that his life experiences inform his writing as well as his medicine. From his time riding an ambulance as a paramedic to his Army service in Iraq, the book is full of interesting anecdotes, but not in service of his ego. Rather, the stories support the central point of each chapter.

If you've ever wondered what your doctor is thinking, or how he makes his decisions, or even just wondered why he can't talk to you a little better, you should read this book.

As for the footnotes, skip them. Unless you're a scientist, they're of little interest. They are necessary, though, to demonstrate that Dr. Newman didn't just make this stuff up. He shows you the facts upon which his conclusions are based. That's a direct and open communication with the reader. Direct and open communication is what doctors should have with their patients; it's the central point of the book. Dr. Newman walks his own line.

I look forward to reading his next book.

I have been an avid reader all my life. This is one book I could not put down. The topic is one that affects everyone. The doctor patient relationship is a very personal one and, I think most of us have been turned off by medicine in general and doctors in particular.

Dr. Newman has covered many controversial medical issues in a very readable and understandable manner. Although I am a registered nurse, I feel that the general public will have no difficulty in appreciating the content and relating to the subject matter.

I found the section on Celebrex most provocative, since I recently have been taking it, with what I thought were good results. Since reading the book, I have not taken it in several weeks, with no appreciable adverse effects. To the contrary, I feel fine.

This is a must read book!

This book should be required reading for all physicians, nurses, paramedics, and for every medical student everywhere, as well as patients who have inquiring and curious minds and wish to be partners in their own health care. It is beautifully written, clear, well-researched, and humane. It is presented in a warm and straight-forward manner that makes it easy to understand for anyone - not only medical professionals. It contains essential information for everyone who deals with doctors, who practise medicine and who is a patient. Dr. Newman has done a brilliant job of elucidating many of the unconscious bases from which physicians practises arise and their resistance to change and effective pracise. Give it to your doctor as a gift. Leave copies lying in waiting rooms. Give it to anyone you know who is going through the medical system. I really hope Dr. Newman writes another book examining further pseudoaxioms and outdated practises in medicine. Obstetrics would be an excellent place to explore next. Read this book!

Dr. Newman's book is genius. In the U.S. we are living with an overpriced, low quality health care system. So much of what is wrong with the system and the doctor-patient relationship is explained in this well-written book. If we are to fix health care in this country we need to start with communication and return to the "new, old paradigm" he describes. A must read for doctors and patients alike.

Dr. Newman presents a concise thesis for a more perfect physician-patient relationship. I applaud the professional who can say, "I don't know everything". I'm delighted by anecdotal evidence of trials and errors in an imperfect world. Every body responds differently to treatments and medication and every patient is not completely forthcoming when being treated, for a variety of reasons. This book should be read by everyone, even if they enjoy a healthy relationship with their current physician. Cutting edge scientific tools have come a long way, but the humanity that Dr. Newman shows his patients and now his audience, is by far, more compelling.

Eye-opening, entertaining read. This is one of those books that you are sad to finish because it is so good. I strongly recommend this book.

Dr. Newman is an ingenious emergency medicine doctor whose book educates us on the shadow pervading western medicine. Drawing from cutting edge research and his own experiences on the front lines treating patients, he informs us of unnecessary procedures and over prescribed and potentially lethal medications currently on the market. As an acupuncture student, I was alarmed and enlightened by these findings. The only words I found missing from his book that describe his practice are love and compassion. Dr. Newman cares deeply about the wellbeing of his patients and wants them to be free from physical, psychological and emotional suffering. He validates the mind/body connection and the doctor/patient relationship as essential aspects to healing. He is self-reflective, humble beyond humble considering his expertise in the field, and humorous. It seems he could have written a brilliant medical textbook and instead chose to write something accessible and helpful to all. This book is a medical and philosophical accomplishment and I am recommending it to everyone I know.