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On Call: A Doctor's Days and Nights in Residency
On Call begins with a newly-minted doctor checking in for her first day of residency--wearing the long white coat of an MD and being called "Doctor" for the first time. Having studied at Yale and Dartmouth, Dr. Emily Transue arrives in Seattle to start her internship in Internal Medicine just after graduating from medical school. This series of loosely interconnected scenes from the author's medical training concludes her residency three years later.
During her first week as a student on the medical wards, Dr. Transue watched someone come into the emergency room in cardiac arrest and die. Nothing like this had ever happened to her before-it was a long way from books and labs. So she began to record her experiences as she gained confidence putting her book knowledge to work.
The stories focus on the patients Dr. Transue encountered in the hospital, ER and clinic; some are funny and others tragic. They range in scope from brief interactions in the clinic to prolonged relationships during hospitalization. There is a man newly diagnosed with lung cancer who is lyrical about his life on a sunny island far away, and a woman, just released from a breathing machine after nearly dying, who sits up and demands a cup of coffee.
Though the book has a great deal of medical content, the focus is more on the stories of the patients' lives and illnesses and the relationships that developed between the patients and the author, and the way both parties grew in the course of these experiences.
Along the way, the book describes the life of a resident physician and reflects on the way the medical system treats both its patients and doctors. On Call provides a window into the experience of patients at critical junctures in life and into the author's own experience as a new member of the medical profession.
During her first week as a student on the medical wards, Dr. Transue watched someone come into the emergency room in cardiac arrest and die. Nothing like this had ever happened to her before-it was a long way from books and labs. So she began to record her experiences as she gained confidence putting her book knowledge to work.
The stories focus on the patients Dr. Transue encountered in the hospital, ER and clinic; some are funny and others tragic. They range in scope from brief interactions in the clinic to prolonged relationships during hospitalization. There is a man newly diagnosed with lung cancer who is lyrical about his life on a sunny island far away, and a woman, just released from a breathing machine after nearly dying, who sits up and demands a cup of coffee.
Though the book has a great deal of medical content, the focus is more on the stories of the patients' lives and illnesses and the relationships that developed between the patients and the author, and the way both parties grew in the course of these experiences.
Along the way, the book describes the life of a resident physician and reflects on the way the medical system treats both its patients and doctors. On Call provides a window into the experience of patients at critical junctures in life and into the author's own experience as a new member of the medical profession.
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2004
100 people are currently reading
5330 people want to read
About the author
Emily R. Transue
2 books13 followersEmily R. Transue, MD, is a native of Toledo, Ohio, and a graduate of Yale College and Dartmouth Medical School. She did her residency and chief residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Washington, Seattle. She works as a general internist at a multispecialty group in Seattle, and is a clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Washington. She received the Providence-Seattle Medical Center Outstanding Educator of the Year award in 2003, and is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. She has published stories and poems in JAMA, Dartmouth Medicine, and elsewhere.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
January 21, 2010
What got me interested in reading this book was the title, and the cover. When I looked at it, I immediately was reminded of the televisions shows "House" and "Scrubs", which are some of my favorite shows. I felt like this book was a lot like those shows, and I really enjoyed it. I loved reading about her patients, and although the author did not go very in depth with each and every patient, it worked well, because the book was about her, not her patients. What I also enjoyed about this was that you really get to see how life is like for a doctor, and how much pressure is put on them. Reading this helped me get real perspective of working in a hospital rather than only what I saw on television. The author bounces back and forth between her on call, and her actual life, which shows how frantic it is to be a doctor. I found the entire book intriguing, and it's interesting to think about how much your career can affect you.
August 26, 2012
Having worked in academic medicine for 10 years, this seems to be an accurate accounting of the life of a resident. Having worked all of that time with surgeons, it was interesting to see medicine specialists have just as much contempt for surgeons as there is vice versa. This book was especially fun to read, which I didn't realize when I purchased it, because Dr. Transue's residency was at the hospitals at which I work. I'm still trying to figure out which of my general surgeons she didn't like!
Great read, poignant at times, clever at times, always seemingly honest and frank. Read this along with Gawande's books. Gawande seems to have more of a perspective that the personal can be extrapolated to the general, which makes for great reading. On the other hand, this is just a book of personal experience, and that, too makes for great reading.
Great read, poignant at times, clever at times, always seemingly honest and frank. Read this along with Gawande's books. Gawande seems to have more of a perspective that the personal can be extrapolated to the general, which makes for great reading. On the other hand, this is just a book of personal experience, and that, too makes for great reading.
January 17, 2019
wow wow wow! LOVED this one. I have recently been so interested in medicine (esp since starting by job at the hospital) and the real and raw writing of Emily Transue made me wish this book never ended. it gives an interesting perspective on just how hard it can be emotionally and mentally (as well as physically) for doctors to go through what they have to deal with. we often hear about the patients perspectives going through challenging things such as cancer and surgery... but what does it feel for the doctor who has to be the bearer of those news? or running to a code, doing your best, and then the patient doesn't make it? and not just that but doing this on a daily basis.
this also solidifies the fact for me that i would probably not make it as a doctor... it is INTENSE and you have to be a really strong person to be able to withstand that. i have a new found appreciation for those who do choose the profession.
this book is definitely one that will stay with me forever.
this also solidifies the fact for me that i would probably not make it as a doctor... it is INTENSE and you have to be a really strong person to be able to withstand that. i have a new found appreciation for those who do choose the profession.
this book is definitely one that will stay with me forever.
September 26, 2009
Honest. Dr. Transue writes with a sense of honesty not seen in many other ‘Doctor’ books. This isn’t a romanticized tale of how a doctor is made nor is it an account on the clinical thoughts of physicians, but it is an honest look at the trials and tribulations of residency: sleep deprivation, long work hours, anxiety, self doubt, etc. One point in the book Dr. Transue allows us to follow her as she grows into a physician through the stories of her patients.
As a medical student, just a few months away from residency, I wish she would discuss where she found her resolve. At times I found myself wanting to know more about her personal life. From talking to my friends who are residents, I’m afraid her omission is due to her life being confined by the walls of the hospital.
In medical training we are forced to confront life changing occurrences daily, so that we can keep calm and help when others would be flustered. This can mute our emotions. This book was a nice reminder that although things may seem banal to you, to the patient his or her life is forever changed. I will be sure to carry this book and remind myself that we should grow as humans, not only doctors, through our patients.
As a medical student, just a few months away from residency, I wish she would discuss where she found her resolve. At times I found myself wanting to know more about her personal life. From talking to my friends who are residents, I’m afraid her omission is due to her life being confined by the walls of the hospital.
In medical training we are forced to confront life changing occurrences daily, so that we can keep calm and help when others would be flustered. This can mute our emotions. This book was a nice reminder that although things may seem banal to you, to the patient his or her life is forever changed. I will be sure to carry this book and remind myself that we should grow as humans, not only doctors, through our patients.
January 6, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing was excellent - compelling and heartfelt. It was a peek into the life of a resident, kind of a real-life ER. In short entries, Transue was able to bring patients and situations to life and make the reader truly care. It was so emotionally fulfilling and thoughtprovoking - a side of medicine I've always wondered about. I'm looking forward to reading Transue's other book and wish that she were my doctor.
January 2, 2018
The author did a great job in describing the struggles of internship and residency. I found each story to be interesting and I feel as though I learned a lot about what it takes to become and be a doctor.
May 16, 2025
“I’ve been so tired for so long, sometimes I just don’t know if I can take it anymore.”
This outstanding book recounts a young doctor’s first years of residency at a major Seattle hospital, and it’s truly a heart pounding adventure. We follow her through breathless days of chasing codes and diagnosing pains. Of being mercilessly beholden to her pager. Tending to those in recovery and those beyond hope. Wonderful moments of delivering good news to families and, far more often, sadly informing them there’s nothing more they can do.
She gets applauded for her life-saving insights or, in a moment of confusion, asked by a senior staffer, “Where did you go to medical school?”
ON CALL reminds us that doctors, as much as patients, are human beings. On a daily basis, they survive on a rushed schedule of taking meals on the run, of unraveling the mysteries of the human body at a moment’s notice, and keeping grace at times when most would crumble.
This book is so good for so many reasons. Pick it up and you can’t put it down.
This outstanding book recounts a young doctor’s first years of residency at a major Seattle hospital, and it’s truly a heart pounding adventure. We follow her through breathless days of chasing codes and diagnosing pains. Of being mercilessly beholden to her pager. Tending to those in recovery and those beyond hope. Wonderful moments of delivering good news to families and, far more often, sadly informing them there’s nothing more they can do.
She gets applauded for her life-saving insights or, in a moment of confusion, asked by a senior staffer, “Where did you go to medical school?”
ON CALL reminds us that doctors, as much as patients, are human beings. On a daily basis, they survive on a rushed schedule of taking meals on the run, of unraveling the mysteries of the human body at a moment’s notice, and keeping grace at times when most would crumble.
This book is so good for so many reasons. Pick it up and you can’t put it down.
January 2, 2013
I tore through this memoir of one doctor's experience going through her three years of medical residency. I thought it was really interesting, and in an interesting, anecdotal format. The author apparently took copious notes (somehow, although she says some were minimal chicken-scratches at her most fatigued) throughout her residency, and turned it into a book of stories about various patients (names changed to protect the innocent, of course). You see quite a slice of humanity here--drug addicts and alcoholics, terminal cancer patients, an old woman with an STD given to her decades ago by who she thought was her faithful lifelong husband, the surly, the kind, the mentally ill, etc. You get a real picture of the medical residency processes and procedures--the good, the bad, and the ugly.
May 18, 2011
Quick, enjoyable read. Dr. Transue shares different stories about her years in residency. Given my experience working in a teaching hospital, I particularly enjoyed and identified with many of the stories in this book. I found it interesting to hear the honest perspective of the young resident physician. I also can identify to a small degree with the emotional exhaustion and numbness she describes at times in dealing with the tragedies that are inevitably experienced when caring for human lives. Dr. Transue describes herself as a likeable character that is easy to identify with. I also enjoyed the way she threw in details of Seattle's beautiful scenery.
June 5, 2007
Almost a relief after reading Becoming a Doctor. Transue is upbeat about her experience. She experiences thet same heartbreaks and cruel colleagues that Melvin Konner and others have, but she lets them slide off her back. She doesn't let people use her, but she views the bad in a wry way and cherishes the good.
A very heartening collection for anyone suddenly having second thoughts about med school. Obviously there are many doctors, ergo there must be a percentage that didn't want to kill themselves in med school. Now, why aren't they writing books?
A very heartening collection for anyone suddenly having second thoughts about med school. Obviously there are many doctors, ergo there must be a percentage that didn't want to kill themselves in med school. Now, why aren't they writing books?
June 25, 2017
As someone going to start her medical internship in a month I was excited to read a memoir about life as a resident in internal medicine. Instead each chapter is a story about the author's encounter with a patient. And none of the stories are interconnecting. They were interesting yes but I was looking for something more than what this book provided.
November 27, 2009
The narrative has a very introspective tone that creates a distance from the action.
May 29, 2018
“On Call” is a book about Dr. Transue’s experiences during her three-year Internal Medicine residency (mostly in her first year internship) focusing on trauma and indigent care. Her collection of stories was developed from the author’s contemporaneous notes. The book is organized into brief, loosely chronological incidents varying from a few paragraphs to several pages.
Previous medical memoirs I’ve read focused on either the doctor’s actions or the patient. This book additionally emphasized the doctor’s thoughts and feelings. For this reason, I originally thought the book was too soft. But as the book progressed, a mix emerged between the technical and the personal. It became clear that doctors were people too. And, that aims at a difficult part of the profession.
In her stories, patient death and intern exhaustion were recurring themes. The relentless repetition invites the reader not just to observe, but to share her experiences. I found myself thinking, “Why do all of these episodes end up with someone dying?” But, that is the reality: they do take place in hospitals.
This book was interesting, but aside from an occasional high-spirited patient, I found little upside in the episodes. On completing the program, the author’s strongest emotion seemed to be relief. But, she also acknowledged her growth and the role her residency played in her becoming a doctor. I will need to read her follow-on book to discover what kind of doctor she became.
Previous medical memoirs I’ve read focused on either the doctor’s actions or the patient. This book additionally emphasized the doctor’s thoughts and feelings. For this reason, I originally thought the book was too soft. But as the book progressed, a mix emerged between the technical and the personal. It became clear that doctors were people too. And, that aims at a difficult part of the profession.
In her stories, patient death and intern exhaustion were recurring themes. The relentless repetition invites the reader not just to observe, but to share her experiences. I found myself thinking, “Why do all of these episodes end up with someone dying?” But, that is the reality: they do take place in hospitals.
This book was interesting, but aside from an occasional high-spirited patient, I found little upside in the episodes. On completing the program, the author’s strongest emotion seemed to be relief. But, she also acknowledged her growth and the role her residency played in her becoming a doctor. I will need to read her follow-on book to discover what kind of doctor she became.
November 2, 2017
Dr Emily Transue sheds light on the very humane aspects of medicine in a series of personal medical encounters in her profession as an intern and a resident. Dr Emily's approach extends far beyond establishing a diagnosis and proceeding with a management plan. She rather explores her patients' own fragile natures and describes the basis that outline what distincts us as humans. A flow of emotions; love, desperation, anger and hesitation are clearly some of the qualities one gains above medical knowledge that shape up who we are and what are we willing to sacrifice to reach the highest levels of self content.
Dr Emily raises the bar of challenge really high by hooking the reader to a vast array of choices a physician views as ambivalent. As a member of the medical profession, Dr Emily had me appreciate even further the power of empathy in turning round events to what sets your conscience on a road of self assessment and reflection. Medical books definitely do offer knowledge but I believe the framework of what makes up a doctor is the willingness to learn and improve from personal and other's experiences.
Dr Emily raises the bar of challenge really high by hooking the reader to a vast array of choices a physician views as ambivalent. As a member of the medical profession, Dr Emily had me appreciate even further the power of empathy in turning round events to what sets your conscience on a road of self assessment and reflection. Medical books definitely do offer knowledge but I believe the framework of what makes up a doctor is the willingness to learn and improve from personal and other's experiences.
March 14, 2025
Good but Fairly Predictable
I've read several similar books about interns starting out; the extreme fatigue, anxiety, self-reflection, questioning and of course, the various medical diagnoses of the patients. I find them somewhat interesting because, after all, most of us need the services of a hospital or medical practice throughout our lives.
This book is well written but pretty "run of the mill" in terms of stories. We have overdoses, cancer, trauma and surgical procedures. But none of the stories really make THIS book stand out from others. There are no mystery illnesses, or intense emotional backgrounds -- in fact, there is little background at all in terms of patients or doctor/author. The reader has no real idea of where she came from, her motivation to become a doctor or her personal life beyond the "rest whenever you can" life that is reality for an intern.
So while it's NOT a bad book, it didn't "wow" me either. I liked it enough that I don't regret reading it but if I hadn't, well, I wouldn't have missed anything spectacular either.
I've read several similar books about interns starting out; the extreme fatigue, anxiety, self-reflection, questioning and of course, the various medical diagnoses of the patients. I find them somewhat interesting because, after all, most of us need the services of a hospital or medical practice throughout our lives.
This book is well written but pretty "run of the mill" in terms of stories. We have overdoses, cancer, trauma and surgical procedures. But none of the stories really make THIS book stand out from others. There are no mystery illnesses, or intense emotional backgrounds -- in fact, there is little background at all in terms of patients or doctor/author. The reader has no real idea of where she came from, her motivation to become a doctor or her personal life beyond the "rest whenever you can" life that is reality for an intern.
So while it's NOT a bad book, it didn't "wow" me either. I liked it enough that I don't regret reading it but if I hadn't, well, I wouldn't have missed anything spectacular either.
February 11, 2017
As someone who had a clinical rotation and now works with clients one-on-one, I found myself relating to a number of stories and insecurities shared by the author. The way she wrote out her thought process helped me gained a better understanding of what it must feel like to go through this training. I loved the writing style and gained an appreciation for the long and arduous process that medical doctors must go through to be deemed competent. I highly recommend this book, especially to those who are in a health-related field, work with patients/clients, or are just curious about what it's like to be a new doctor.
August 28, 2022
I think I just happened to read this at the right time in my life. As a med student, it’s super easy to get lost in the endless hours of studying. On Call touches on the exhausting but rewarding reality of medicine, and it was a fantastic reminder of why I wanted to go into this field.
I love that this book is formatted as a series of short stories. Both this + the writing style make it a very easy and enjoyable read. While medical terminology is sprinkled throughout the book, Transue focuses on the humanity in medicine and I think this book would be a good read for anyone.
I love that this book is formatted as a series of short stories. Both this + the writing style make it a very easy and enjoyable read. While medical terminology is sprinkled throughout the book, Transue focuses on the humanity in medicine and I think this book would be a good read for anyone.
December 11, 2023
The author says in the prologue that she started writing down her experiences as a med student, to try and make sense of them and to communicate about them to her family and best friends. So, she was already honing her writing at that time, and it shows. She's an excellent writer, and the stories she chose for the book are a good mix. The book is almost all stories about specific cases/patients, and together they show her evolution from a newbie first-year intern to a confident (but still horribly overworked) third-year senior resident.
Want to read
October 20, 2019في كتابة المناوبة الطبية من تأليف الدكتور إميلي ترانسو تتحدث عن اليوم الأول لها في سنة الامتياز في طب الباطنة ومناداتها بدكتورة لأول مرة في حياتها. في الأسبوع الأول لها في أجنحة المرضى والمستشفى شاهدت لأول مرة السكتة القلبية أمامها والوفاة! لم يحدث لها مثل هذا أبداً، يحكي الكتاب قصص الطبيبة إميلي مع المرضى في العيادات وغرف الطوارئ بعضها حزين والبعض الآخر مضحك! يحتوي الكتاب على بعض المعلومات الطبية ولكن القصص والحكايات تشكل الجزء الأكبر
April 9, 2021
A fascinating inside look at a doctor's experiences as an intern and resident - tells about some of her patients, her own feelings about dealing with patients and with other medical staff, and about the limitations of what doctors can do for the people who end up at the hospital. I did wish she had explained some terms earlier in the book, particularly "attending" as a noun - who are these doctors and what put them in that role.
July 21, 2021
It was interesting to see how those going through this interact with each other and with patients. What she is thinking, the amount of fatigue endured (how would you like to be treated by a doctor in their 35th hour of conceivably non-stop treating of patients?). It would have been interesting to see a little more of their personal life, except you realize that, for the most part, they are too busy to HAVE a life.
Good read though...I liked it.
Good read though...I liked it.
April 17, 2024
This book frightened me. It does not matter how old a person is, a terminal illness diagnosis brings such despair. The patient stories were very good even thorough you don’t always learn how they turn out in the end. What was weird was how many times the author commented on a patients’ beautiful blue eyes. I had to look up where she was practicing. Seattle: 67 percent Caucasian. Okay, where is she from? Ohio: 77 percent Caucasian. You’d think she’d be used to seeing blue eyes.
October 22, 2017
The story is strongest in the beginning as she honestly recalls her insecurities and efforts to balance empathy with tasks needing focused attention. Near the end of the book she has clearly found her stride and the tales of struggle are no longer major battles but minor frustrations--not nearly as interesting.
September 15, 2021
Dr. Transue does a great job at walking the readers through every scenario however, I think this book highlighted the lack of proper understanding of mental health and also the lack of empathy held by doctors. There were many times in this story where Dr. Transue makes choices that truly showed she had no interest in connecting or understanding a patient more than their diagnosis.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2022
On Call... a journal-like approach to a doctor's transition from medical student, intern, resident and what she planned to practice as a General Practitioner. Interesting stories highlighting the stresses and triumphs of being in the healthcare field. Great for students considering being a nurse or a doctor as their profession.
February 19, 2024
Wow! This Doctor Author writes better than most Author Authors. Beautifully poignant essays from a young doc; I found myself wishing she'd written much, much more. At times frustrated, depressed, sleep-deprived, she still manages to craft these vignettes with deep insight and compassion. Thank you, Dr. Transue!
September 4, 2025
Lovely stories written by an internist as she goes through her intern year and then two more years of residency. She is a thinker and she expresses herself well, telling the reader the good, the bad, and the downright ugly of interactions with her patients. I deducted one point for the inclusion in several places of a particularly vile word.
December 26, 2017
I am a avid reador of medical memoirs as medicine has always fascinated me. I loved this one! Dr. Emily Transue's story begins on her very first day of residency. If you've ever wondered what it takes to become a doctor, read this.
July 30, 2020
Daughter working a PA program. Trying to get background on her new world. Try to avoid hospitals and jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. Background from this book allowed me to ask and respond re her new environment. I'd recommend for P's, spouses, siblings, and friends in a similar situation.
November 5, 2020
This was a quick read, a brief glimpse into the struggles young doctors go through while on residency. Told via a series of short stories, Emily jumps from tragic deaths to personal discoveries and growth.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews