Tales from the Trenches: A life in Primary Care (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9798992276114)

This is a book of nonfiction essays of a solo general medical physician's experience, care of complex patients, observations of the medical professioin, history of medicine and patient stories told in an interesting and entertaining manner for the layperson to understand medicine and life over the past 40 years in the USA. The story begins with the reasons to become a doctor and the rigorous early training of being an Intern in Internal Medicine in Boston, Massachussetts. It follows Dr. Smith's early career working in ERs and clinics and then joining a multispecialty group in Northern California. Dr. Smith's carreer change to become a sole private practitioner leads him to 25 year career as such encountering all the aspects of modern complete medical care as a primary care physician in the complex landscape of diverse ethnic patients, a changing medical insurance landscape and encountering many ususual and fascinating patients. This book accurately described a typical experience for general physician over the past 40 years and includes many specific extensive patient stories of their life and medical issues as well as delving into the particular human aspects of the doctor-patient relationship. Dr. Smith relays his story telling as in interplay of what doctors actually think and feel encountering patients and medical practice giving a depth of understanding not easily described by others.