A Taste of My Own Medicine: When the Doctor Is the Patient

by Edward E. Rosenbaum

The author, a doctor, describes his experiences as a cancer patient and shares his observations on the practice of modern medicine

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Medical, Medicine, Autobiography, Health

192 pages, Hardcover

First published April 12, 1988

About the author

Trained at the Mayo Clinic, decorated for his pioneering use of penicillin, widely respected and nationally known, Dr. Edward E. Rosenbaum had risen to the apex of his profession. But in 1985, following a simple biopsy, the most stirring and startling phase of his medical education began when he was diagnosed with cancer. As a physician, Dr. Rosenbaum had long enjoyed all the benefits of medicine; as a patient, he suffered all its indignities. ~ back cover of The Doctor

Reviews

[Stephen Gallup]

This is the story that inspired the William Hurt movie The Doctor. Neither stands out in my memory as something extraordinary, but both convey the idea effectively enough: A competent doctor begins developing mysterious symptoms. The colleague he consults fails to diagnose his problem correctly, and it gets worse. Much later, another physician finally identifies the problem (and it's urgent), but is so cold and disrespectful that he cannot bear to be a patient. And here's the point -- despite his fear and dismay at being on the other side of the bed, he slowly recognizes that this is the kind of doctor he has been throughout his career: He had never considered what the experience of coming to see him was like for people who needed help. He comes to this humbling realization late in life, but I respect him for reaching it at last and for trying to make amends.

[Terimorse]

The movie "The Doctor" is one of my favorite movies, so I was so glad to come across the book recently. Great book, even though it is nothing like the movie. After reading this, I feel that EVERY doctor in America should be required to read this book as they come into the medical profession. Or we can only hope that many of them do become patients and REALLY see their illness through a patients eyes like Dr. Rosenbaum did, and come away the better doctor for it. I was sad to find out that we just lost this wonderful doctor earlier this year.

[Valeria Soberanis]

The movie is better, great book nevertheless. Anyone in pursuing/in the medical field should deff read it.

[Kcastro]

Should be required reading for anyone who wants to practise medicine. Written by a doctor's experience of being a patient.

[R]

Without drilling the concept into his audience, Dr. Rosenbaum succinctly paints a picture of the indignities he suffers as a patient while describing the practicalities of things that he never thought twice about while practicing as a physician. With pearls (typical of a teaching physician), mix of hubris and humbleness, and anecdotes of times he was right and times he was wrong, Dr. Rosenbaum has written a book from which many may benefit from his experience. (Similar yet not the same: Wit with Emma Thompson, Dr. Alexander Eben's Proof of Heaven) Ultimately, there are so many lessons to learn from patients, even when we think we've reached the end of our scientific ropes during their workup. I thought I was going to donate this book, as I have been many lately, but will now be keeping it.

[Heather]

I read this book a long time ago and still reread it from time-to-time. The concept of medical professional exploring his profession from the point of view of the patient is interesting and always relevant, no matter when the book was written.

[Rachel Rosenbaum]

The best book in the world!

[Alison W]

The premise was good but he discussed a lot of medical statistics, that I would presume have changed in the almost 30 years it has been since this was published. He also talks about what it's really like to be a patient...But still received a lot of special privileges and his real biggest complaints seemed to be waiting as much as a half hour one time, and 5 or 10 minutes on other occasions, and having to fill out paperwork. Maybe this was the biggest issue when this was written, but I have waited 9 months for a specialist to get an appointment, and regularly wait 2-3 hours, or more for certain specialist appointments, from my appointment time. He wouldn't know what to do if he had to deal with the medical field now as a patient. I like the way the movie was done to show more of the difficulties a patient deals with. Having seen the movie first, the book was a bit disappointing.

[Sheila]

Every doctor, nurse, and medical professional should read this book! It is an eye-opening look in the medical field, the over-reach of corporations and insurance companies at the expense of a patients well-being. Highly recommend this aged book, even though it was written in the 80's, it is alive and well today.

[calico Rosenberg]

Good book, good motifs, but extremely repetitive, even despite the short length. And perhaps these motifs, / morals,, aren't remarkably original, though that is not a resounding sentiment during reading. Also, it pretty impressively doesn't convey av sense of outdatedneas

[OkayKim]

I just watched the movie "The Doctor" with William Hurd and saw that it was based on the experiences of the author who became a patient. Kind of insightful on how patients are treated from a doctor's point of view.

[Lisa]

A refreshingly honest look at illness and healthcare through the eyes of a doctor diagnosed with cancer

[Rachel]

Read in 1996. My review from then: A doctor gets cancer and sees the patient's view of medicine. Easy reading and very good.

[Dena Hays]

Eye opening, true story
07/13/2018

[Ash Todd]

A reflective piece that humbles the soul and reminds us all that doctors are people too...

[Gwen]

Mostly enjoyable because the MD is from Portland. From the 80's, an MD is diagnosed with cancer and learns that the patient's view is different than the MD's. Nothing very stunning and kinda hard to believe that it took him this long to learn to see things from the patient's views. But, easy to read and I kept on because it was set in Portland and I like reading medical stories.

[Heather]

what an eye opener! This is a true story about a doctor who gets cancer and how he navigated the medical system as a patient. I liked it because it opened my eyes to the reality that doctors really don't know the answers all the time and you do need to know what your rights are as a patient.

[John]

Of course it's important to learn (and it took this guy nearly a lifetime to learn) that when you treat others badly they are not too quick to treat you nice. In other words this doc was an arrogant asshole and really did have to taste his own medicine.

[Jen Rosenbaum]

My grandpa's book.

[Nancy Arrington]

it was ok but the movie was better

[Sue]

The movie was better.

[Grant Jones]

Dr. Ed was a personal friend.