Patient Care

Death and Life in the Emergency Room

By: Paul Seward MD

Narrated by: Jim Seybert

Recalling remarkable cases - and people - from a career launched in the first days of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Paul Seward leads us in his memoir through suspenseful diagnoses and explorations of anatomy. By his side, we learn to distinguish nursemaid's elbow from a true broken arm. We learn how our breathing and swallowing mechanisms resemble a practical joke. But when a baby's heart stops, and a young doctor forgets what to do, the situation is far from funny.

Within the conditions of great stress and rapid decision-making that are routine in the ER, Dr. Seward tells us that medical staff must be more than technicians of the body: They must be restorers of the human. Whether it is comforting anxious families or subjecting a distressed patient to tough procedures, they must learn the difficult work of caring for strangers. Throughout Patient Care, Dr. Seward reflects on how a life in medicine tests what it means to put ethics into practice.

©2018 Paul Seward, MD (P)2018 Dreamscape Media, LLC

ER Doc

Interesting account of some of the more memorable cases that Dr. Seward handled during his career. My only beef is that it was a little on the brief side; I would have enjoyed hearing more of the stories that I know he has stored away.

Case studies that show we care...

An excellent exposition of various cases that have been treated by an ER physician, with failures as well as successes. Very well recounted, with good explanations and descriptions of the various team members.
Once again, the narration would be clipping along, procedures smoothly and completely described, then—SCREECH!! A mispronounced word or three destroys the ambiance! The narrator is not the only one to be blamed: the producer, and especially the technical advisor, should be rebuked also!
For the sake of all listeners, please- (PLEASE!) do some research on medical pronunciation!
The book itself, and the stories recounted, is excellent! Highly recommend!

What a good refreshing find!!!

Loved reading this memoir by an engaging, engaged excellent doctor. Writing was compelling and informative and interesting.

One of the best.

This is one of the best books written by physicians. I highly recommend. Honest and interesting.

Enjoyable and informative

I enjoy medical stories of one sort or another. This one, based on Dr. Seward’s experiences, helped me better understand what happens in the ER and some of the thinking behind the decisions made there. There is just the right balance between lighter and more serious notes throughout the book, making it enjoyable to read. The narrator was great. I would easily listen to another book narrated by him.