Fascinating view from a British Paramedic
580171
The author's tales on the front lines in London are fascinating. As I'm in the states, I also found the insight into London and the British system most interesting. Some of the author's comments are not exactly "PC" when it comes to matters of obesity, but then he and his coworkers are the ones who must carry a heavy person down several flights of stairs when there's no elevator. He's an opinionated guy, but you can see where he's coming from in matters of drinking, drugs, and the crazy set-ups of public housing. You can see how someone would get discouraged, and worn out emotionally and physically. In spite of this, he loves his work and knowing he's helping people. Books like this open your eyes to what's really happening on the streets.
1189655
Above average page turner! (My highest compliment.) The presentation unfolds  through several vignettes about patients that he has treated and I would compare the reading experience to viewing  the popular television drama series House.

To a reader that is not in the health care profession, the bonus here is that you get to go behind the scenes here in a busy hospital with a very experienced and credible, hands on doctor, who does not hold anything back.  It reinforced to me that doctors are not perfectly functioning computers (although with advanced technology society holds them to that standard), they are still humans like the rest of us and have to make tough judgment calls within those limitations. My takeaway was that if I am ever in an acute care situation I would want a doctor who knows me, and wants to conduct a full hands on inspection first, by watching,  listening and feeling, rather than relying on just a machine or  computer print out to make a  treatment decision.
1925637
Paramedic Buff to Burnt is an excellent book.  Not only is it easy reading, but gives wonderful insight into the job that EMS does.  This is one of those books that is not only great for people looking to enter the field but for those of us who do the job and the families of those who do this job.  This book is touching and funny, and anyone who reads it will not be disappointed.
1447874
For those who have lived through it, want to go through it, or desire to learn about becoming a paramedic.  An exciting tour of the rigors of the paramedic program.  Kevin represents EMS and the profession well. Fred Neis
61818
Being a paramedic in the 1980's part of our "rotation's" were required to be in the burn unit. Praise God it was only for a few shifts. I assisted in the debridement, and bandaging of several victims, each had their own special needs. Just  hearing the screams alone were horrible. Not one had the  Outlook, Support and FAITH in God as this young man has! It is a truly inspiring book and puts life in perspective! I have purchased several books to pass out to family, friends and acquaintances for inspiration.
91490
This was such an eye opener! I think it was great to rejoice the end of the war , but this book really brought into perspective what everyday life was like in post war Great Britain. The midwives were heroes and warriors dealing with sometimes outrageous conditions. Their work in sub standard conditions is truly an awe inspiring read. This book should be highly recommended reading for anyone considering a career in nursing.
1330184
What a great read! I finished this in one day, and really enjoyed it. Much like his show on CBC, I can hear Dr. Goldman telling me the stories in this book with his awesome sense of humour underlying each point. This is not a "serious" medical text book, it is an interesting read for anyone who is curious about the medical culture. I felt like Dr. Goldman was walking me from patient's room to gurney, talking to me about common everyday occurrences and explaining many of the things that happen 'behind the scenes' in hospitals. For most of us, hospitals are a place of fear or uncertainty, but I found this book oddly reassuring - humanizing the amazing people who work in the medical field and just opening my eyes (and ears) to the reality of their daily lives
1823635
I thought the whole story was very moving and interesting for a medical professional
4666171
A fascinating look at a neurosurgen's experience of connecting to a realm not of this world. It gets a bit medically technical at some points, but the story is fascinating.
3535718
Paul Austin writes with great honesty, insight, and humor letting us see the real world of hospital emergency rooms, the stresses of life as an ER doctor, and how that affects a family. He combines his frank way of looking at and living life with his delightful way with words and images. Each chapter is a different vignette so readers who are looking for plot and resolution may be disappointed. But those who like essays and want to know more about being the father of a child with Down syndrome or what it's like to work crazy hours trying to save lives--and one's own life--will be very satisfied.
3523578
Tom Reynolds (a pseudonym) is the writer of a blog about his experiences as a paramedic in London. There are 212 entries that read like they were lifted from his blog, perhaps given a little editing and some re-arranging and then printed. If you like the television show&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Cops/dp/B000YDMPCE/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Cops </a>&nbsp;than this format may be of particular interest to you.

There are things to be gleaned from the book:

 You learn that a blanket is the most important tool in an ambulance.

 You learn that, like on the show COPS, alcohol creates a lot of trouble.

 You learn that Britain's NHS is seriously overburdened. Reynolds discusses hospitals filled to capacity, ambulance services that make people wait for over an hour (not always but it does happen), hospitals without basic supplies like pillows and blankets, a boy with a history of collapsing waiting for weeks for an MRI scan (I have had two on an emergency basis in the last 3 years for one I had to wait 15 minutes and for the other I had to wait 45 minutes).

You also learn that some people are just nasty. Here's a quote from Reynolds. He is calling his dispatcher: " ' Control, I need to return to station to clean out the back of our motor - we've just transported one of our 'local legends'. Is there any infection control policy for patients who are infested with insects?'

'Erm...'"

Gritty, disconnected, worth the read.
4067291
This is an unusual book written by an unusual doctor. Brave men do what is right regardless of feedback from those who might not agree or benefit from his opinion.  I Am fortunate that he was on duty when I went to the emergency room. His advice and care has made it possible for me to return to normal activity and health. I greatly appreciate his emphasis on prevention as well as treatment. His best qualification is his personal relationship with, and knowledge of the Great Physician.
1954115
I was surprised how many things this book had going for it. I was interested in the topic, and I just happened across it on the majorly discounted rack. The chapters are grouped by subjects and incidents. Hudson did a great job of not only limiting material to the interesting annecdotes, but in not going on endlessly about nothing. The medical terminology will be difficult for the unfamiliar, but there is little of that, and she explains most of it. The themes in the book seem like those related in other EMS stories, but these are very well told. A good, quick read.
2061916
Loved reading about all of George's  experiences on the ambulance. It is a easy read and it kept me wanting to see what was on the next page. I couldn't put it down until I was through reading it.
225121
Dr. Goldman gives us a look into the life of an emergency department doctor in a hospital in Canada. While a few items he mentions are a bit different than in the US, the majority are pretty much what you would see in a typical hospital of comparable size in any US setting. This is not your typical biography even though he shares many incidents he has experienced. This book goes much deeper than most. He speaks of worries about making medical decisions when the doctor is tired and overwhelmed by too many patients and too few staff. Surprisingly, he shares errors he has made freely with the reader. He addresses medical practice rotations in a teaching hospital and how often fatigue and fear of making a mistake can cause exactly the outcome that is the result of that fear. He describes dealing with patients from all walks of life and the process of making the correct diagnosis under the pressure of giving each person the attention they deserve while trying to see patients who sometimes have been waiting for hours, sometimes in a hallway or still in the waiting room after triage. I found the book incredibly interesting, particularly for anyone who has ever worked in a similar situation or is just curious about what goes on, as well as the all important question about why.
2721665
I purchased this book because I grew up in Townsend, MA and have known the author for most of my life. I thought that reading it would be an interesting trip down memory lane regarding events in the small town I grew up in. The book was much more than that for me. It gave me a new perspective on the experience of emergency personnel and the incredible stress they have to deal with doing their jobs everyday. The way the author tied in the outcomes of the situations years after the fact made me feel encouraged that the human spirit is strong and can find ways to cope with horrific life events with faith and the right guidance. I feel that his book should be read by anyone who is involved in emergency public service or who has an interest in a career in the field.
3052265
Having heard of Abraham Verghese as the Indian doctor who'd made a name for himself as an AIDS doctor (that was ten years ago in a newspaper article in India), I was curious to know more about his real experiences with the tragedy that AIDS brought in its wake. By a quirky coincidence that allowed me to share my interests in writing and medicine with him, I was even more intrigued by him and his story. In the end, as I turned the last page of the book, I wondered aloud, "when was the last time I came away so moved?"

I applaud his patients for allowing him to lay their stories bare open for the world to pry. The motions of weakness, anguish, helplessness, tire, and then those of gratitude and appreciation that doctors find themselves in have been richly described. After a long time, I found a book with a soul - mostly because it belonged to real people who lived these stories, and suffered the tragedies it described.

The writing is sparkling, sharp, and well-edited. For someone who loves the classics, it is also testimony of superlative modern English writing. But ultimately what won my heart were the people in it - and I am not lying when I say that I was moved to tears in some. For someone used to seeing the frailties of illness and inescapable death as part of their profession, I am thankful to Dr Verghese for taking time out for sharing his experiences and for the subjects for allowing us a glimpse of how they faced grave uncertainty.