The Real Grey's Anatomy: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Real Lives of Surgical Residents [Paperback]

Andrew Holtz (Author)

Book Description

Release date: January 5, 2010

A behind-the-scenes look at the real lives of surgical residents, from the author of The Medical Science of House, M.D.

Do surgeons talk about their sex lives while cutting a heart open? How do surgeons respond to death? How do they react when asked to save the life of an abuser, criminal, or addict?

Since its debut, the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy has asked such questions. With an emphasis on the personal lives of the surgical interns, residents, and attending physicians, the show has generated interest in how these professionals survive this rigorous educational program. How much of its drama is entertainment, and how much is accurate? Here, a medical journalist provides answers. He examines a group of new surgical residents in the Pacific Northwest as they tackle long hours, fascinating procedures, and emotional ups and downs that comprise the life of a student of surgery.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The overachievers on the hit TV show Grey's Anatomy stand on the shoulders of M.D.s from decades of medical dramas. But health journalist Holtz finds more than a kernel of truth in the ABC white-coat soaper and notes, [O]ur attitudes and beliefs about surgery and medicine shift and adapt unconsciously while we take in the fiction from Seattle Grace Hospital. What unfolds in the book is a Cliff's Notes for surgical residents: the grueling hours—a max of 80 a week; the weird operating flukes—a flame bizarrely ignites from the gas in a surgery patient's gut; the need to give good care even to bad people. The anecdotes, however, seem as likely to come from Grey's as from real life. On the struggle in treating ailing criminals, one resident confides, I don't feel like my care was compromised by being aware that he was a criminal, but it definitely made me think about it. There's little new in these tales from the sick ward, but Holtz gives them all a Hollywood glow. (Jan.)
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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade; Original edition (January 5, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425232115
• ISBN-13: 978-0425232118
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #71,760 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #48 in Books > Humor & Entertainment > Television > History & Criticism

More About the Author

Former CNN Medical Correspondent Andrew Holtz, MPH, is an independent journalist based in Portland, Oregon.

In addition to 17 years experience as a CNN Correspondent, Holtz has reported stories and produced programs for PBS, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and other outlets in the U.S., Japan and Britain, for magazines including Oncology Times and Harvard University's Nieman Reports, and for web sites such as the-scientist.com. His book, 'The Medical Science of House, MD,' was published in October 2006. His next book, 'The Real Grey's Anatomy,' will be published in January 2010. An updated book about the medicine in "House" will be released in fall 2010.

Holtz is on the Board of Directors of the Association of Health Care Journalists (AHCJ) and the Center for Excellence in Health Care Journalism. He was AHCJ Board President from 2000 to 2004 and served as Interim Executive Director in 2004-2005. AHCJ (www.healthjournalism.org) represents more than 1,000 journalists who cover health, medicine and the business of health care. The Center produces educational conferences and other training and development materials for journalists.

Holtz is a Clinical Instructor on the faculty of the Oregon Health & Science University.

Holtz is a member and former chair of the Multnomah County Bicycle and Pedestrian Citizen's Advisory committee and is active in community efforts to make neighborhoods friendlier to walking, cycling and other physical activity.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly entertaining! Love the real interns. June 5, 2012

By Adriana

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is what got my interest in Medical thrillers, crimes, and fiction. I love the show Grey's Anatomy and Andrew Holtz did a brilliant job on telling the real events with the fiction events. As much I appreciate our doctors and nurses that work so hard to save life's, this book tells the stories of what I think could be the real deal about what really goes on in the ER.

Andew Holtz also tells how the intern go through rigorous educational program and still try to have a personal life. I would recommend this book to people who love Grey's Anatomy the show and also to people who are interested on become doctors. It's educational, funny, and entertaining.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting look into real surgical interns October 30, 2011

By Rockiesgirl

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is really interesting because it shows what surgical interns really go through. If you like Grey's Anatomy or House or even ER, this book would be a very good choice. However, if you like these shows for the sex, relationships, and other non-medical related issues, you probably won't find it very interesting. The author follows several interns from their residency assignments to their first surgeries, to their hard lessons learned. The author breaks down the chapters by relating it to an issue in Grey's Anatomy, and also has information from real surgeons about their lives. Overall, it's an interesting read.

3.0 out of 5 stars Ok May 2, 2013

By JasonMD

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Stopped reading this after ten or so chapters. Boring concept, boring style. Surgeons are more interesting than this is assure you