Something for the Pain

Compassion and Burnout in the ER

By: Paul Austin

Narrated by: Carl Randolph

In this eye-opening account of life in the ER, Paul Austin recalls how the daily grind of long, erratic shifts and endless hordes of patients with sad stories sent him down a path of bitterness and cynicism. Gritty, powerful, and ultimately redemptive, Something for the Pain is a revealing glimpse into the fragility of compassion and sanity in the industrial setting of today’s hospitals.

©2008 Paul Austin (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"What makes this inspiring medical memoir stand out is the courageous measure of Austin’s humanity." (Publishers Weekly)

Insightful, eye-opening & hopeful

I am biased, as Sally is a dear old friend. I have had the pleasure of meeting her husband, Paul, at several reunions, and liked him immediately! What’s not to like!? He is warm, easy, intelligent and funny.
I am grateful to Paul for sharing his experiences of parenting a special-needs child and his work in the ER.
Fortunately, so far my only experience of the ER is as an accompanist. But, as I am an older person now, I know it can’t be long before I am the patient in the ER, and I have to say with all the changes in healthcare, private equity, staff shortages, and more concern for profit over patient care, I am worried that the doctors, nurses and staff, who are more and more overworked and underpaid, won’t have the time, patience and fortitude to give the kind of care and attention described in this book. I can only hope! 🤞Thank you Paul.

Loved This Book!!

At first when I listened to the sample introduction I didn't like the narrator. But with time I really learned to enjoy it. He told great ER stories that were just awesome. i did think it such a shame when his wife wouldn't quiet the kids while he slept after night shift. Basic respect needed there. I have had to keep quiet before and a person just does it for those they love.

Compassion is an action

This book helped me to understand the risks taken and sacrifices made by ER doctors and nurses.
It made me appreciate my doctors and nurses even more.

ended too soon

very engaging; I would have enjoyed several more chapters. Dr Austin is very candid about his feelings and observations.

Pretty good

Great book but the narrator is obviously not a medical person. Mispronounces words and you can tell sometimes he doesn’t really know what he is saying. But overall pretty good.