The Doctor's Ego

This book, written by a medical specialist with more than 40 years experience, was primarily intended to help young doctors avoid many of the pitfalls we encounter daily in our work. It will also be of interest to a wider public. Of the many factors determining whether a patient is in good hands, there is probably nothing more influential than the doctor's ego. This book is full of examples to illustrate this and other psychological factors, taken from the author's experience as an anaesthesiologist. Some are light-hearted and some horrifying. The primary focus is on communication and the effects of an oversized ego on patient care. There is a chapter relating the dramatic story of a young woman with chronic pain who was heading inexorably toward death. Another chapter presents the author's arguments for legalising euthanasia, supported by the heart wrenching story of a young woman dying from cancer. If the subtitle seems melodramatic, just pause to think what the effect is on the survival chances of a patient during a high-risk operation when the surgeon's ego prevents him calling in help from a more experienced colleague. Unlikely? Here's a heading from the Telegraph on 4th August 2018: "Feuding surgeons put patients at risk at heart surgery unit, report finds."Subjects covered include: assertiveness, sexual harassment, mindfulness, empathy, giving and taking criticism, saying "no", dealing with patient dissatisfaction, placebos and fragility of reputation. It is the author's hope that junior doctors reading this book will find lessons to help them become more effective and happier professionals. Applying the principals espoused in this book could be life-changing for anyone reading with an open mind.