Customer Reviews

Life After Medical School: Thirty-Two Doctors Describe How They Shaped Their Medical Careers

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This book is a breath of fresh air for those who are applying to or are planning to attend medical school. The perspectives from physicians (both practicing and not) in a range of careers are insightful and provide a glimpse into the many weaves and turns a medical career can take. My only criticism (and the author notes this, too) is that the profiled physicians are all very similar in terms of region where they work (mostly New England) and ethnicity, thus this book does not address such concerns as racism in medicine that may be important to minorities like myself who wonder about how such challenges can affect one's career choices. With that caveat, I fully recommend this book.

I thought this book was good in describing 32 different thought processes involved in deciding on a career with a MD. However, I noticed most of the essays were written by people that went into academic medicine. I would say that most medical school graduates will not enter this arena. I found it interesting how frequent the physicians moved or changed careers. It would have been nice to hear more from physicians who spent a long time in a group practice in one geographic area.

Providing multi-person perspectives on diverse aspects of medical education and practice, this book offers great insight into the beginnings of great doctors of our era. The only problem: these doctors are extraordinary, not-normal people. Their experiences may serve as motivation for some students, still they may give a false reassurance on a very dynamic and competitive field. Next time this book is written, normal, day to day doctors should also be interviewed. They also have extraordinary tales.

This is a wonderful book for anyone interested in how physicians build their careers. It includes 32 first-person accounts spanning the range from caring for the homeless to becoming CEO of a health care corporation. The profiles are highly personal and give a much-needed glimpse into the factors that shape major career decisions. No other book I've read offers as much depth and insight. A must read!