MedTexts: A Review of Do No Harm (Henry Marsh)
Get into medical school by reading this book. This book changed my life for the better.
What is MedTexts?
MedTexts is a series which critically evaluates and reviews books which are relevant to the medical field. From stories in the OR to deep descriptions of torturous times, medical books are one of the best ways to expand your knowledge as well as create an interest - which later will help you when applying for medicine.
Even if you are not a premed, these books are relevant to you as they thoroughly illustrate the challenges faced due to patients - which we all will become. Be sure to comment on any specific books I should review.
Review - Do No Harm (Henry Marsh)
Review
What is it like to be a brain surgeon? How does it feel to hold someones life in your hands? To cut into the matter that creates thought feeling and reason?
Well, in neurosurgery, more than in any other type of speciality in medicine, the doctor’s oath to do no harm hold bitter irony - due to the risk taken to the patient. If you believe that brain surgery is a pin-point craft, practiced by calm and detached doctors, this gripping brutally honest account will make you think again. With astonishing compassion, Marsh reveals the fierce joy of operating; the harrowing disasters; the moving triumphs; and most of all, the times of black humour - which in itself best describes the life of a brain surgeon. An extremely powerful and frank piece of non fiction literature, ‘Do No Harm’ provides an unforgettable insight to number human dramas on the ward. Above all, it is a lesson in the need for hope when faced with life’s most difficult challenges.
One of the best neurosurgeons in the UK before retirement, Marsh organises the book in a unique but insanely fascinating way. The fact that most chapters are named with a disease, for example ‘Aneurysm’, really showed the level of great writing, to capture an audience who wanted to learn more. Plus the honesty that Marsh shows, courageously explaining taboos such as death further shows the great aspects of the book.
Quotes of the book
“Every surgeon carries within himself a small cemetery, where from time to time he goes to pray – a place of bitterness and regret, where he must look for an explanation for his failures.”
This quote appealed out to me as it describes and focuses on the hardship of the job, stating that he must ‘look for na explanation for his failures’. He further goes on to say that having the role of a consultant neurosurgeon, you learn to take the blame of failures for yourself.
“The operating is the easy part, you know,’ he said. ‘By my age you realise that the difficulties are all to do with the decision-making.”
Here, Marsh breaks away from the norm in suggesting that the ‘decision-making’ is the hardest part of the job. Especially due to the fact that he is at the pinnacle of superiority and responsibility in the field, Marsh is concurrent with this idea throughout the book - giving examples of bad decisions which led to terrible outcomes. Plus, you would not think that this would be the case, the technical skill needed surely enhances the decisions you make? Well, not in neurosurgery.
Concluding
I 100% recommend you read this book, not only to further improve your knowledge, but so you can learn to reflect on how Marsh sees his job to a different way the public does. I give it 5 stars out of 5 and I would love to see what you would give it, giving a comment below.
Make sure to put this on your reading list, you can purchase this terrific text on Amazon here. Marsh is also releasing a new book, ‘And Finally’, be sure to check that out.