Everything I Learned in Medical School: Besides All the Book Stuff

by Sujay M. Kansagra MD

Sleep deprivation, dissecting human bodies, giving bad news, delivering a baby, seeing death...the journey of becoming an "MD" is not an easy one. Join the author as he takes you through his four years at Duke University Medical School. Relive the exhilarating, the strange, the uplifting, and the frightening experiences that taught him everything he learned in medical school...besides all the book stuff, of course.

Genres: Medical, Medicine, Nonfiction, Science, Memoir

177 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Ahtims · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Was a relatively quick read, and enjoyed the Medical school foray. Made me think of my student days as I could related to many an anecdote mentioned by the author. However, am glad to say despite the mostly bleak picture painted here, if one has a will and doesn't mind giving up opportunities for name and fame, one can still lead a relatively comfortable life if one chooses the speciality with due consideration, and most importantly, gets into the speciality of choice.

[layan ليان (on hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d say this book feels like a summarized version of what it could have been. I went into it hoping for something more reflective, more layered, and while it was good, it never fully reached that depth.

Each chapter focuses on a specific experience from med school, the anatomy lab, or hospital rotations, and the author narrates it with a short reflection at the end. The structure works… but after a while it starts feeling repetitive.

One thing that really got to me is how often the author highlights how he supposedly did better because he’s “not a textbook nerd,” or because he’s confident, or because he approaches things differently. Once or twice is fine, but it’s mentioned so many times that it becomes tiring :( It gave the impression that he’s a bit too full of himself.

That said, I genuinely loved chapters 19 and 20. Those two chapters were everything I wanted the rest of the book to be.

I just wish the entire book had carried that same energy :(

[Sarah Lumos · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The destination will never be worth it if you don't enjoy the road."

Wise words by Dr. Kansagra. Everything I Learned in Medical School: Besides All the Book Stuff is exactly what it sounds like. It follows the journey of a young Dr. Kangsra, who is just beginning the long, arduous journey of becoming a doctor. It features a collection of essays as he recounts his experience applying for medical school, completing his clinical rotations, match day, and graduating.

He explains the hospital hierarchy, what it feels like to make your first cut on a cadaver, medical school "pimping" (which is basically where the attending asks the students questions to test their knowledge), and his various clinical rotations in specialities such as OBGYN, neurology, and surgery.

As someone who is not planning on becoming a doctor, but is curious about the field of medicine, I enjoyed Dr. Kansagra's clear and accessible writing style. I never felt confused or lost while reading this text. I simply read it and enjoyed the story and lessons I gained from it.

This memoir felt very intimate and honest. I kept turning the pages because I wanted to know more. You can sense him becoming more mature as the pages go by. He starts off by lamenting all the sacrifices one makes in medicine - chronic sleep deprivation, hours spent studying, time away from loved ones etc.

But he ends the book in such a healthy way. Medical school students can admit they do not have all the answers. You can say, "I don't know". You are still learning and it is okay to not always know things. He also stresses enjoying the road not the destination because medicine is one gigantic loop hole. You study hard for (he describes the chronological order an American student would go through) the SAT, MCAT, complete all of the licensing exams, get matched to a speciality, complete residency, and then even after residency, you will have increased responsibility and long work hours.

So enjoy the process, medicine is a long road. :)

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good book that I really enjoyed as a medical student. I found myself related to many of the situations that Dr.K went through.

One of my favorite parts was when Dr.K talked about the Cesarian section and how the experience of observing one felt like, it was exactly what I felt when I first attended a c-section and how hard I found it and how I started to appreciate what mothers go through more.

Overall the contents of the book were really nice, and the read was worth it.

I love books with messages, tips and motivational quotes for medical students, and this had quiet few.

"The destination will never be worth it if you don't enjoy the road"

So I'm going to take my chance's and enjoy my journey in med school.

[Nujood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the easy language of this book. It was a fun quick read. Hopefully I'll come up with my own in the future..

[Bader · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book, to a med student, can easily take 5/5, cause it shows you a very important thing; IT HAPPENS TO OTHERS TOO!!
I'm half the globe away from USA, and still I encountered more than 70% of the situation Dr.K described.

The take back of it though, that it's extremely short. Written in a very simple and to-the-point way, in about 170 pages with BIG font, you can finish it in few hours.

Another point to mention, Dr.K explained medical terms to those who are not familiar with it in a very simple and fine way, but those who didn't venture into med school might not find the book as interesting as I did... and as any med student would!

PS: in fact you can get an insight of Dr.K type of advice from his twitter account @medschooladvice

[Shatha Al-Jamhoor · Rating 5 out of 5]

As if the author was speaking for me .. So many common stuff that I've never thought would come along with most medical students ( as if thinking it was just me/ I'm overreacting ) !

I loved the experiences shared, the easy three words, the types of pimp people and how students react to them ..

Thank you Dr.Sujay Kansagra for being a wonderful motivation !

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a cute little book, with short chapters about, as the title says, what the author learned in medical school, mostly in the hospital phase of it. It was quick and mostly pleasant to read.

But, there was casual transphobia in Chapter 2. A transgender woman comes in because she's having trouble with silicone facial implants that were done by some shady non-doctors. He can't imagine why she would have done that. Um, it's expensive to have things done in the hospital (quite easy to figure that it might cost too much for her), and (especially back when he was in med school) a transgender person might be subject to some ridicule in a medical setting. Like, as he does in the chapter, consistently misgendering her. He's not unsympathetic, but not empathic either. There were also a couple of instances where he gratuitously referred to people by their races ("black" and "Asian," I think) - not always a bad thing, but those instances were both a bit jarring to me.

Anyway, the transphobia brings the book down a star. I hope and think the author would write that chapter differently now, 11 years later.

[OhoodAlA · Rating 5 out of 5]

حبكته للأحداث جميلة، يأخذك من عالمك الذي أنت فيه إلى حياة طالب في الطبّ بجمالها وقبحها، بآلامها وآمالها. بالمختصر: مدهش.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I just started med school this book gave me a very good perspective on how my future is going to be like. It makes the students understand that everyone is going through the same challenges you are facing. It gives great advice on how to survive med school and how to say, “I don’t know” is fine too.

What it's absolutely fantastic about this book is that you don't have to be a medically trained person to enjoy it. It's easy to understand without too much medical terminology. While it talks about sleep depravation, stress, giving bad news, seeing deaths and etc. Dr. K successfully adds a lot of humor. I would recommend this book to teenagers who are interested in pursuing medicine as a career since the book is really descriptive, down to earth and not boring.

I gave the book 4 out of five stars because I felt that Dr. K could’ve given more advice on the first years of medicine and how to confront the insecurities everyone has. Adding more stories about how rewarding is to be a doctor would definitely improve the book.

[Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book provided an amusing guide into the lessons a medical student learns as he/she makes their way through medical school. It focuses completely on life lessons, so it doesn't provide much information and insight into the academic portion of medical school.

Instead, you'll read about how little sleep medical school students get, the initial awkwardness of performing your first body exam, the hierarchy of a hospital, the problems doctors face with getting to know their patients, and many other lessons. All the while the book keeps a humorous tone, while turning somber for the more intimate and emotional moments.

It's a quick and interesting read. It even made me laugh on several occasions.

[Evan Parker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Came across as a not so humble-brag. He also had some really weird opinions concerning women's health and LGBTQ issues.

[Inês Gueifão · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting the book to be a bit different but it was still enlightening about how my future will be (and some of my present is). A quick, fun read that can be enjoyed by everyone.

[Po · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very informative for people considering medical school. The medical profession has changed considerably over the past 20 years and this book provides an update. I found his comments on obstetrics to be very humorous. We really do need more middle-aged women in the medical profession because they're comfortable with the female body in a way that 25 year-old men who study all the time are not. I enjoyed his perspective on his training and his advice on how to interact successfully with his professors.

[Kurt Robbins · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look into medical school and how doctors are taught to think as someone who has no intention of pursuing medicine as a career. Did a good job showcasing patterns, good and bad, that arise in care. Notable is the second chapter about a transgender woman who received illegal silicone injections to alleviate gender dysphoria. While the discussion of her and her situation is overall lacking respect, I found it a crucial look into how medical providers view trans patients and dysphoria.

[Gao Yang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Being interested in going to medical school myself, I could not put this book down. I couldnt believe I reached the end when I got there. The author has a beautiful way with words and is very skilled with painting vivid images eith his personal stories in med school. Often laughed out loud. Would definitely recommend this to people looking to go to medical school!

[Hajar ih]

الدكتور سوجاي كانساجرا يتحدث في هذا الكتاب عن كل ماتعلمه خلال دراسته في كلية الطب، من المساعدة في ولادة حامل، صعوبة النوم أثناء المناوبة، إيصال الاخبار السيئة إلى المرضى وذويهم بالإضافة إلى رؤية الموت!

يتحدث الطبيب عن رحلته في كلية الطب في ديوك ويتحدث عن ماتعلمه في هذه السنوات الأربع وعن اللحظات الصعبه واللحظات التي لا تنسى في ذاكرة كل طالب طب.

[Melina Kesidis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice and quick read that dove into the reality of being a medical student (and I can definitely relate!). Dr. Kansagra goes into great detail describing the intimidating, yet exciting 3rd and 4th (clinical) years of medical school and what they entail. I will definitely be thinking about this book during rotations and residency.

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some amusing stories that helped explain the realities of becoming a doctor. I enjoyed most of his stories.

It was so much a book as it was a compilation of journal entries the author wanted to turn into a book.

[Mikayla Dotson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, fun read but nothing spectacular

Truly alright and fun take on medical school but the author’s bias comes out at times and you can tell he thinks a little more of himself than others.

[Safiya Al Kharusi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could relate to every single chapter of the book! It’s been a good friend for the past few days.
Chapter 29 is my favorite, I think we all should understand the message within it

[Robert Flick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book, quick read, relevant and humorous anecdotes. Very relatable. Will pass the book along to my niece who will be starting med school.

[Eric Bias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good! Short and easy to read.

[Jimmy Rosier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and fun read.

[Joseth Rivas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the short stories! Very entertaining.

[Jill Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple yet insightful! A light read.

[Leigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you've never known a doctor or medical student, you may learn something; however, very little of this was news to me. If you're looking for a quick read, I think I read this in three 30-minute train rides into work. If you're looking to be spoonfed morals and meaning like Aesop's Fables, even when it's obvious where he's going with the parable-like stories, you might enjoy this. It was recommended when I lived in Durham because of its ties to the university there, but MAN that didn't make up for how poorly written it was. Read Atul Gawande instead.

[Salma Deeva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sujay Kansagra's book is a marginally lyrical stream-of-consciousness about his four years in medical school--it contains moderately nuanced insights with subtle hints of quirkiness (e.g., attending physicians are described as cape-wearing, superman-like creatures with flashing "I'm your daddy" signs on their foreheads; teaching in academic medicine is termed "big pimping", and on and on). The intention is certainly there: Kansagra does a decent job outlining key aspects of the medical school experience, the importance of compassionate caregiving, and the fact that trainees should not put their personal lives on hold. This said, the colloquial prose, bordering on mediocre writing, almost makes me believe that Kansagra haphazardly 'copy/pasted' snippets from his diary and sent them off to a publisher for printing after graduating medical school... this part is what ultimately lead to the drop in rating from 4- to 2-stars.

[JDK1962 · Rating 2 out of 5]

An incredibly fast read that ultimately seems like a poorly edited collection of blog posts. First off: why present this out of chronological order? Absolutely no purpose was served, especially since no alternate organization was suggested. Second: there were a couple of word (mis)usages that made me think that this was either self-published, or reviewed by a very poor copy editor who couldn't afford any software capable of doing a spell check. For example..."unphased" is not a word, or at least is not the word that was meant. "Unfazed" is the appropriate word. Unless you're on Star Trek ("Captain, we attempted to phase-shift the alien craft using the deflector dish, but at the end of our efforts, it was unphased."). Lastly, there's very little depth here; it's mostly surface-level recounting of incidents.

[coffeeandlakes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. It's not one with beautiful use of words, not literary and that's what I liked. The words are simple and plain. The focus was on his experience in the hospital, his interactions with patients and what they taught him, what they made him feel. And how it changes his previous ideas about doctors and patients. This hits home. I understood and that's why I find it nice to read and was able to finish in a couple hours! It's very interesting to see how we both might have experienced very similar situations and yet I took different values out of it than he did.
My favourite quote; "But I learned the importance of doing things at my own pace and trying to focus on the finish line rather than on the other racers."
It's a 3 stars because I wouldn't go out of my way to read it but when I did, it's good. x