Postmortem: The Doctor Who Walked Away

by Maria Phalime

Inhuman hours, overflowing emergency rooms, poor resources and little support – this is the daily reality of most doctors and nurses in South African public hospitals. “This is my story and the stories of other doctors who chose to walk away,” she writes. “Ours is a private anguish filled with the niggling suspicion that we should have been stronger, more committed, more able to handle the daily realities of practicing medicine in South Africa. A gripping personal account which exposes not only the deficiencies in the public health sector but also the personal pressures and expectations which come with being a doctor in South Africa.

Genres: Medicine, Nonfiction, Medical, Africa

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Maria Phalime is one of South Africa’s newest award-winning authors. Born and raised in the Johannesburg township of Soweto, Maria moved to Cape Town in 1991 to pursue her studies at the University of Cape Town, from where she graduated with degrees in Science and Medicine. She practiced for a brief period as a general practitioner in South Africa and the United Kingdom, before leaving medical practice to pursue non-clinical interests.

In 2010 Maria found her voice as a writer. She studied under the acclaimed South African author, Mike Nicol, on the Get Smarter/Random House Struik Nonfiction Story Course. In 2012 Maria was the recipient of the inaugural City Press Nonfiction Award for her memoir, Postmortem – The Doctor Who Walked Away. In 2013 her novel for teens, Second Chances, was the English language category winner of the Maskew Miller Longman Literature Awards.

Reviews

[Rhona Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read this book because my daughter wants to study medicine - hardly the type of optimism you'd expect from a parent.

The author did, however, provide a balanced and honest view of the profession. I learnt a lot while reading it, and will hopefully be able to give sound advice in the years to come.

I suppose it's just as important to ask yourself why do you want to become a doctor as why you want to be a teacher or vet. I still remember the answer, "If you become a teacher or vet because you love children or animals, then you must WALK AWAY."

Know why you do something - and the author gave me answers too.

If you want to study medicine, you need to read this book: not because it will put you off, but because it provides the right perspective.

[Lwazi Mchunu · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Maria Phalime's account of her medical sting career. I loved how she told her story of the state of South Africa's failing health care system. She told her own truth.

[Kirstin Bloomer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply moving and insightful. Gives you raw, personal accounts of the hardships many medical professionals face(d) while working in South African hospitals, especially during the harrowing HIV/AIDS pandemic. But Maria also gives you insight into the creativity, determination and whole-heartedness of others who are able to create light from dark spaces.

[Marion Roux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good - insightful, damning to South African Health services and the expectations of, and demands on, our doctors

[Carol Nader · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good read

Lots of courage to go through this introspective look at SA medical system and her own personal failings as a Doctor within this system. Would like to read more of her books in the future. She writes well and honestly. Hopefully the "powers that be" in the healthcare system will take heed.

[Charmaine Elliott]

To be politically correct I will let my stars speak. Disappointed to discover as with so many South African writings that thoughts dumped randomly into sentences, paragraphs and chapters make it into books and onto lists of award nominations. Where are the editors? Where are the demands for rewrites and integrated coordinated themes?

[Fezile]

Such an intimately written piece of work. Maria exposes herself so much that you're left searching yourself for answers to why you have chosen the career you're in. It's so genuine, so emotional and absolutely beautiful and pure in heart.

[Katherine Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucidly written, Maria uncovers her personal story of why she walked away from the medical profession and why so many young doctors like her are under immense pressure in South Africa's overburdened public healthcare sector.

[Megz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible. Review to follow soon!

[Shivani · Rating 4 out of 5]

A personal and moving view of South Africa's broken health system.

[Lungisa]

It's sad to read about the realities faced by doctors in government hospitals, really sad.

[Melissa Volker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating account of the tragedy that is the public healthcare system in South Africa and those doctors and patients that suffer within.