Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #37288 in Books
• Published on: 2003-09-11
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Customer Reviews

Does more harm than good
I work for a charity whose aim is to improve the NHS by advocating the changes wanted by recent patients in all the diverse NHS services. I did not like this book and feel that it would do far more harm than good. While I am sure that Vernon Coleman's book can make some people feel empowered when dealing with the medical profession, little recent data is presented and the paranoia of the author is grating. What good is trying to dominate your GP by putting your handbag right in front of where he sits? It certainly isn't going to make him more sympathetic to you! If you are trying to intimidate him, why not just pee in the corners of his office?

I've trained doctors in treating patients like people first and case studies second, and I can genuinely say that every doctor I've met went into that profession to help people. Don't kid yourself that they are evil puppets of the pharmaceutical industry - if you want to be treated like a person rather than a patient by your doctor, then treat them as a person too! This book uses the 'straw man' arguement to suggest all medicine is out to get you - just don't bother!

Close to Home
Like the reviewer below I'm a doctor and the vast majority of what Vernon Coleman says is painfully true. When I first saw it on the coffee table at work I got cross - knee jerk reaction - then started reading. I found myself nodding in agreement.

I've met plenty of narrow-minded doctors, some who are simply unable to think after too many years of rote-learning. It's a slightly depressing read for this very reason, that so many colleagues are as Vernon describes. I think he's a bit too keen on sources of information that are prone to being incorrect (libraries often out of date and the internet full of misleading stuff as well as the facts) but it's a good book to help you understand the medical profession.

sensational expose of doctors
I am a doctor and I have to admit that I started to read this book expecting to be angered. But I was not. It's all true. I'm sorry to have to admit. If more doctors read it then perhaps medicine would improve. Meanwhile, patients should read it so that they have a better understanding of the way things really work. I can understand some doctors being cross with VC for writing this book. They shouldnt be. They should be grateful to him for sharing the truth with patients.