Doctored

The Disillusionment of an American Physician

By: Sandeep Jauhar

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Hoping for the stability he needs to start a family, Sandeep Jauhar, an attending cardiologist, accepts a position at a massive teaching hospital on the outskirts of Queens. With a decade's worth of elite medical training behind him, he is eager to settle down and reap the rewards of countless sleepless nights. Instead, he is confronted with sobering truths. Doctors' morale is low and getting lower. Blatant cronyism determines patient referrals, corporate ties distort medical decisions, and unnecessary tests are routinely performed in order to generate income. Meanwhile, a single patient in Jauhar's hospital might see 15 specialists in one stay and still fail to receive a full picture of his actual condition.

In Doctored, Jauhar has chronicled the formative years of his residency while observing first-hand the crisis of American medicine through the eyes of a cardiologist.

©2014 Sandeep Jauhar (P)2014 Tantor

great read!

it is a great and provoking book about our Healthcare system. the voice is excellent and delivered the message and emotions well.

Excellent

No bad... very good read.Highly recommended to students who are interested in the medical field!!!!!

Frank, inside perspective on the follies of unintended consequences in medical reform

It is also a personal story, touching on the common midlife crisis and search for professional meaning as a career in medicine did not turn quite as expected. The reality of skewed incentives in the field, overdiagnosis, and over-treatment does not get the publicity of under-access to healthcare, although they probably are related. Reviewers who accuse the author of *&^ing that he does not make enough money either completely missed the point or did not finish the book.

Managed Care and the State of Medicine

As a health care worker, I found this book depressing. However, in 38 years I have seen a hospital close, numerous solo practitioners selling their practices, and HMOs gobbling up the real estate.

I have personally fallen victim to unnecessary tests that come with huge price tags (MRIs, CAT scans, echocardiograms, and 2 cerebral angiograms). All normal, but expensive and anxiety producing.
I am beginning to wonder if doctors have become technicians and have lost the ability to diagnose a problem without imaging. I wonder, too, if my doctors are like Dr. Jauhar depending on referrals and are pressured by the HMO to produce more revenue. Pressured to do procedures when other ways will do as well, if not better.

I am happy he has found balance in his life. I lost count of the times I said "Move!" Who would want to live in Manhattan??

Lost.

A long chain of patient cases with personal life interjectures. Nothing new if you are in the industry already. The drama is tolerable if you listen at fast speed. I expected more of an analytical approach from MD/PhD., but instead I've got to listen to unending moral struggle,. However, I did get an occasional laugh from description of patient encounters. Perhaps all can be fixed by living within your own means Dr. Jauhar, as your father suggested.

Jauhar auspicious brilliance!

Reading books by the same authors communicates in action, and it’s something not requiring explanation. Sandeep Jauhar is human, and we learn first-hand about private practice and how “lovey dovey” (is the norm) in “Doctored: The Disillusionment of an American Physician.” Caring for the patient requires some extreme interventions.

Many physicians' use the “Halloween Voice” or the word “Cancer” despite---no indication of its presence---to scare one into health. Does this really work? When did going “Halloween” ever work on anyone not classified as a caveman/woman? Referring to physicians as knaves/swords is hilarious as is his self-deprecating rants that convey his brilliance and humility.

“Success is judged not by the position you reach in life but by the obstacles you have overcome...Callahan got up and wrote: extend life, prevent suffering, yes...hasten death, no...”
---Sandeep Jauhar, MD

Dr. Jauhar strongly voices frustrations with our medical system. Doctor bashing takes the spotlight in this book. Jauhars’ angst is a common chronic diarrheal theme. Throughout we can picture a cartoon of media of this sensational Cardiologist’ face being illustrated and artist pens “Stooge” instead of Sandeep.

“Doctored: The Disillusionment of an American Physician” is a despotic listen on Audible. The intonations bring respiration to his family characters. Sadly, this famous Cardiologist gets fired for not bringing in enough money to the private practice that welcomed him after being vetted by family. Read, laugh and share.

Eye-opening

Fascinating look at the current state of medicine in this country. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to this on my commute to work.

Disappointed

The insight of this story is useful but there is too much creative liberty taken and misinformation given about end of life for comfort. Not to mention the overt sexism without acknowledgement of the author’s own male privilege.

Hours and hours of compaining

Would you try another book from Sandeep Jauhar and/or Patrick Lawlor?

No way. The author seemed incredibly wrapped up in making money to send his kids to expensive private schools. So much complaining, I couldn't take it. Could have been a productive discussion about the real challenges of being a doctor, but instead it was a steady drip of unhelpful whining and hand wringing.

So What

Maybe if I had listened to this book in 1950 (I wasn’t alive yet), I would have found it more interesting. In the 21st century, the average person is way past doctor worship regardless of how much she or he makes in salary. There is nothing refreshing in knowing or following the life and opinions of a doctor engrossed in the greedy, unethical medical machine. Sharing he likes to help people doesn’t help. So does mechanics, clothing salesmen, cashiers and a thousand other professions.