One Doctor

One Doctor follows Dr. Brendan Reilly through his experiences as an attending physician at a major teaching hospital in New York City. Through a mix of memoir and medical narrative, Reilly documents both routine hospital operations and high-stakes medical emergencies during his shifts. The book alternates between present-day cases and formative experiences from Reilly's earlier medical career. Medical details combine with personal reflections as Reilly navigates challenging diagnoses, difficult patients, and the realities of a changing healthcare system. The narrative focuses particularly on several intensive days in the hospital when Reilly must handle multiple critical cases simultaneously. His dual roles as both a practicing physician and teacher of medical residents add complexity to his decision-making and responsibilities. Through these interconnected stories, One Doctor examines the evolving nature of modern medicine and what it means to be a doctor in an era of technological advancement and systemic pressures. The book raises questions about medical training, doctor-patient relationships, and how physicians maintain their humanity while dealing with life and death.

Readers praise Reilly's honest portrayal of challenging medical decisions and ethical dilemmas faced by doctors. Many note the book provides a rare inside view of how physicians think through complex cases. The personal stories and patient encounters resonate with both medical professionals and general readers. Readers appreciate: - Clear explanations of medical concepts - Balance of technical details with emotional depth - Authentic depiction of doctor-patient relationships - Insights into medical training and hospital operations Common criticisms: - Narrative can be disjointed between past/present stories - Some medical terminology too complex for lay readers - A few readers found portions overly dramatic Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (300+ ratings) Notable reader comment: "Shows the human side of medicine without sugar-coating the difficult realities doctors face." (Goodreads) "The medical details were fascinating but accessible to non-medical readers." (Amazon reviewer)

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🏥 Author Dr. Brendan Reilly served as Executive Vice Chair of Medicine at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Chairman of Medicine at Cook County Hospital, the inspiration for the TV show "ER." 💉 The book spans exactly 24 hours in a modern hospital, while weaving in stories from Dr. Reilly's 40-year medical career. 🔬 Throughout the narrative, Dr. Reilly examines the decline of the traditional doctor-patient relationship in modern medicine and its impact on healthcare quality. 👨‍⚕️ The term "One Doctor" refers to the author's belief that patients benefit most from having a single physician who knows their complete medical history and can coordinate their care. 🏆 The memoir received the 2014 Christopher Award, which celebrates media that "affirm the highest values of the human spirit."