Learning to Play God [Paperback]

Robert Marion (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 7, 2000

Do you know what your doctor really thinks or how your doctor really feels about medicine and about you? The seeds lie in the critical first few years of a medical education, and Dr. Robert Marion, director of the Center for Congenital Disorders at the Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, draws from his own experiences as student, intern, and resident to provide some surprising -- and sobering -- answers.

In the course of twenty gripping, illuminating, and extraordinarily candid stories, Dr. Marion reveals the dehumanizing, slightly insane, and often brutal process of medical training. You will experience not only the intense pressure and chronic exhaustion of the doctor-to-be, but also the price the patient must often pay. While each story stands alone as an adventure in medicine, taken together they are a call to change. With profound eloquence and compassion, Dr. Marion explores ways in which to assure that humanity and idealism survive the grueling and destructive path to technical competency.


From the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The frustration, anger and sheer exhaustion pervading the author's medical education from 1973 to 1981 have not diminished with the passing of time, as Marion ( The Boy Who Felt No Pain ) makes amply clear in this reasoned, vivid recollection. Sparing himself no more than others, he reviews the toll exacted on his ideals and emotional resources by his years at Albert Schweitzer School of Medicine in New York City, during his internship at Boston Medical Center--described as demeaning as well as grueling--and residency in pediatrics back in New York at Jonas Bronck Hospital, affiliated with Schweitzer, where the author is now an associate professor and member of the admissions committee. Framed by suggestions for clinical and classroom reform, the body of the book is an immediately felt, year-by-year account of Marion's experiences--from the soul- and mind-numbing 36-hour shifts in emergency rooms of urban hospitals to the elation of an on-target diagnosis or a child's awakening from a months-long coma. With sharp characterization and no sentimentality, Marion presents a persuasive case for humanizing the education of our physicians.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA-- A no-frills look at medical training that places the process--from acceptance into medical school through internship and residency--in a clear and sobering light. Marion explains technical terms so that readers become as involved in patients' progress as if they were part of the medical team. His easy, engaging style, plus the detective element that is part of diagnosis, makes this book impossible to put down. The author condemns the system that requires interns to put in 100-120 hour work weeks, which robs patients of quality care while stripping eager, idealistic medical people of their humanity and compassion. He advocates change, but his love of the profession, his personal warmth, and his skill come through in this narrative. He does not want to discourage prospective doctors, but he does want to make their paths more humane.
- Judy Sokoll, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett Publishing Co (March 7, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0449007448
• ISBN-13: 978-0449007440
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #706,303 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert Marion is a pediatrician, medical geneticist, and author. Born in the beautiful Bronx, New York, he has spent his entire career working in that borough. Currently professor of pediatrics and obstetrics and gynecology and women's health at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Ruth L. Gottesman Professor of Developmental Pediatrics at Einstein, he has a lot of administrative titles, including Director of the Children's Evaluation and Rehabilitation Center and the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the Rose F. Kennedy Center, chief of genetics and development medicine at the Children's Hospital at Montefiore and Director of the Center for Congenital Disorders, Director of Genetics at Blythedale Children's Hospital in Valhalla, New York.

Dr. Marion is the author of seven published books, including GENETIC ROUNDS: A DOCTOR'S LIFE IN THE FIELD THAT REVOLUTIONIZED MEDICINE. His book, THE BOY WHO FELT NO PAIN won a Christopher Award and THE INTERN BLUES is a cult classic.

A resident of Westchester County, he lives with his wife, Beth Schoenbrun, a teacher at Scarsdale High School, and is the father of three children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST read for anyone interested in medicine, March 21, 2000

By 

DB "Doc1" (Sacramento, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning to Play God (Paperback)

This book was absolutely the best true to life book I have read about the medical journey. I could not put it down. Marion is honest about his medical experiences, and although it is dated it is one of the best books I have ever read. If you are interested in becoming a doctor, read this first!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Realistic, May 27, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning to Play God (Paperback)

As a third year pediatric resident, it was gratifying to know that others have gone through the training and lived to tell the tale. However, I found the complete lack of preparation and ability of the interns to be a bit over-exaggerated. I think that the training has become much better since Marion was an intern. Still, there were many nights early in my second year when I was the senior resident in the house and I had nobody to turn to for guidance during difficult situations. Young physicians are forced to look very confident,especially at times when inside we may be terrified and feel very insecure about our abilities. Marion really captures that emotion. He also really captures the abuse of the housestaff by some faculty who treat us like slaves. Hopefully patients, as well as medical personnel will read this book, and gain a deeper understanding of what we have gone through.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest book for all pre-med, May 29, 2001

By 

Shiu-Ki Rocky Hui - See all my reviews

This review is from: Learning to Play God (Paperback)

There are only a few books that I enjoyed as much as this book. Dr. Marion is an amazing writer. He manages to keep readers interested without being unrealistic. I recommand this book for anyone interested in becoming a doctor or even dating someone that is thinking of becoming one. The book explores the shortcoming of modern day medical training and the emotional stress that students go through in the process. A must read for pre-med students!