Such a good read for anyone that spends time in an OR

Every so often, someone writes a book from the "inside" of a profession that reveals its deepest darkest secrets, its vulnerabilities, the truth behind the facade. If well done, they reveal to us that they are institutions of mere human beings who, at some level are just like the rest of us: clay footed at times, fallible, vulnerable, etc. Such is this book by Atul Gawande--a very intimate, honest, revealing book about the world of the surgeon and those who surround them. At times a bit chilling (I know that if i ever go in for surgery, I will be an informed and engaged patient as a result of this book) when he discusses the many errors made by virtually every one in the profession, and what is at the root of so many of the errors. We like to think of the body as a machine, but it is a maddeningly complex one--performing a hernia on 5 different people can be a very different experience each time. He discusses the remarkable improvements made in surgeries when machines are allowed, in some instances to make diagnoses--doctors' diagnoses are often very fallible because they bring their own subjective and limiting views to each case that can miss some very obvious factors that diagnostic computers don't make. He looks at general surgeons and their propensity to make mistakes when performing a wide array of surgeries and discusses a hospital that does only hernia operations--their error rates are considerably lower than any other hospital because the surgeons there have the mission of perfecting that particular procedure. I am reading a section now dealing with anesthesiology, a branch of the medical profession with its own troubling record of errors. A very engaging and informative book--very well written!

Such an interesting and well-written read into a field that I'm only passingly familiar with. I disagree with the author on several key arguments, but I'm still able to appreciate his position and the nuance he tries to bring.

The line, "we have taken medicine to be more perfect than it is, and less extraordinary than it can be" is the lynchpin for this book. Very much worth reading.

I love vacations.

Great. Reminds me of why I wanted to do medicine.

This National Book Award finalist REALLY makes you think! It opens your eyes to the imperfections in our system of medical care.

Gawande is a surgical resident (when he wrote it), a thinker and a poet. He uses case histories to explore the thinking, the philosophy, of medicine. He speaks of mistakes and intuition, luck and skill, good outcomes despite bad treatement, and devastating outcomes despite excellent care. This should be required reading for all medical students and regularly re-read by all MDs.

After I'd read it I couldn't stop talking about it, and convinced one of my F2F book clubs to read it in July 2005.

Audiobook. The medical descriptions got a bit gritty for me at times, but it was interesting stuff to consider, even when answers elude us. Favorite chapter covered nausea.

The timing of this book couldn't have been better. I was able to read it while sitting beside my husband on a beautiful beach in Mexico. Totally relaxed and without interruptions I was able to pepper him with frequent questions. "What do you think about this? Does he accurately portray residency? What about surgery?" and on and on. I learned so much about medicine and even more about my husband.

Complications is a fascinating book! It really makes you really think about medical problems and procedures. My husband recently had his second knee replacement, same surgeon, same exact procedure, 6 years later and yet this time he did so much better, very quick recovery. My son’s brain injury is a medical mystery that I never expect to understand. My favorite book of Gawande’s is Being Mortal. I only wish he would write more books.
Favorite quotes –
“We want perfection without practice. Yet everyone is harmed if no one is trained for the future.”
“not only do all human beings err, but they err frequently and in predictable, patterned ways.”
“Medicine’s ground state is uncertainty. And wisdom—for both patients and doctors—is defined by how one copes with it.

A fascinating look into medicine from a perspective that acknowledges successes in medicine, but also shortcomings, fears, and wrong decisions from those providing care. Also, just super relatable as I make my way through nursing school

An exhilarating insight towards a mythical realm that is as much art as it is science. Awe-inspiring tales by a surgeon who wields his pen as he does his scalpel. A must read for every medical student, or anyone within the medical field. This book cemented my passion for surgery, and made my decision to be a surgeon a vivid one. It eradicated the notion I had about a profession centered around an innate talent and good manual dexterity; as I learned what it takes to be a surgeon is much more than that.

Completely changed the ambiguous way that I used to think about surgeons. I always wondered why surgeons choose to do what they do when a) their work entails risks (often involving life or death choices) and b) it is very taxing and emotionally/physically draining to operate on human beings. This book made me understand what motivates them to keep going.
It also changed my perspective on doctor-patient relationships. Because while for many of us, going to hospitals for regular check ups has become something somewhat mundane (especially as a person who has lived in South Korea), and we tend to trust doctors' decisions, when it comes to emergency situations where our life and death is at hand, we distrust doctors. This book makes the reader understand that doctors are truly trying their best, though at times, their tired and detached attitude seems condescending.
Gawande is apt at portraying reality and pacing it to keep readers engaged. I have to say, I prefer fiction, but this book absolutely gripped me, shook me.
I do wish to read updated entries based on 21st century technology. But overall, a phenomenal read. I also have high hopes for Gawande's bestseller,  Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End.
5 stars.