Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
  Brings back memories... April 28, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book is scarily accurate. Scary, in that it reminds me of my house officer days, and scary in that it reveals to the layman (and woman) the enormous naivety of the junior doctor on the first few days and weeks at work. However, this is not something to be hidden, and the author is to be commended for his brutal honesty. (For the record, we're not related, and I've never heard of him before, let alone met him!)
I'm not sure if this will appeal more to fellow doctors, who will remember everything Dr Pemberton all-too-well recalls, and laugh and cry at it, or to members of the public, who will see behind the eyes of the terrified junior doctor, facing disease, expectation and impossibility all at once.
I'm not sure what is meant by the contributor who thought House of God more representative of the NHS. For one, House of God is a much older book. Two, it is set in the USA. Three, it is a satire, whereas this, I promise you, is as real as life (and death) gets.
Buy it for your doctor friend, and he or she will thank you. Then borrow it.
 Brutally honest April 7, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
A few people are commenting saying that this book is not particularly funny, and its not. However, they don't seem to realise that it is not meant to be funny, that instead it lays bare the harsh reality of life in the NHS as a junior doctor. Stressed, tired, unappreciated and doing a lot of unpleasant things for not a lot of money.
As a medical student myself I can say that it is very close to the truth, and I would recommend this book to anyone considering a career in medicine. You will probably reconsider such a rash move, as I would have done if only I'd known!
Thought Provoking March 26, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Boris Johnson is quoted as saying this is "Painfully Funny" Well . . . yes and no.
Rather, it is a thoughful, well-written, worrying account of life for a junior doctor in his first after qualifying. There are actually very few genuinely laugh-out-loud moments, however the stories Dr Pemberton regales us with will make you smile, frown, laugh, almost cry . . .
If this is a true reflection of how the NHS is run - and treats it's Junior Doctors, then it is almost beyond belief that more people haven't died, and that more doctors aren't leaving in their droves.
There are stories of abuse, love, hate, fear, laughter, joy, discouragment - from colleagues and from patients. There are moments when you want to cry out in anger and frustration along with the autor. There are moments when you will laugh out loud. There are moments when you will shake your head in disbelief.
You may find yourself agreeing with the author - and others in the book - that things could be done so much better, if it wasn't for political creed and expediency - from all sides of the political spectrum.
I would recommend this book to everyone who is considering a career in medicine. I would recommend it to evey politician and management consultant. To every Clinician, nurse, medical consultant and patient (past present or future).
This book is a damning indictment of the way the NHS is run now, and it is also uplifting. It is uplifting to understand that there are still dedicated people out there who want to work in our hospitals and put up with political interfering and the aggrevation from patients and senior doctors.
Like the author I believe that the NHS is a good thing, and must be saved at all costs. However, also like the author I dispare sometimes of the way it is being treated.
 Dull with a precious few funny moments March 24, 2008
2 out of 6 found this review helpful
There are a few comic episodes here but not enough unfortunately to leaven the mediocrity of the rest. I found this to be a superficial read and one which tries a little too hard to be PC. I feel I was misled by some of the other reviews on this page which are rather suspiciously unbalanced for such a unremarkable book.
If you want a real picture of life as a junior doctor, read Michael Foxton's "Bedside Stories."
Don't think twice- buy it! March 13, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
Oh Dr Pemberton- you had me laughing out loud and crying in places! Over the years I have seen a million HO's pass through my ward and never knew what they were going through until now.
I could not put this book down- finished it within 24 hours and have recommended it to everyone i know. A stunningly accurate insight into the nhs and how it treats it's staff, and how the staff deal with it. This book is brilliant and I wish it was longer. Max goes through the highs and lows of being on the frontline of the health service, being deprived of sleep and food, seeing a body, seeing people through their stay.
'Trust me...' not only highlights the daunting role of a junior doctor but sympathetically explores the role of other in the hospital, and will definatly make u think twice about the way you see and talk to those on the 'shop floor'
Highly recommended, buy it now!!!!
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