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Seven Patients
This is a work of fiction. It is not intended for the faint of heart. The stories are extreme and the descriptions graphic. Patients come and go, but some leave behind a memory so intense that it cannot be erased. Third year medical student Raj Mok quickly learns that patients don’t behave like his beloved medical texts led him to believe. The seven most outrageous patients of his first year in clinical medicine teach Raj that medicine isn’t always about healing and that killing isn’t always murder.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 23, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
August 4, 2012
I absolutely hate to write a review of a book that is this disappointing, but it seems only the honest thing to do and what might best help other readers make a decision on what to read, especially considering the glowing five star reviews I've seen. Truthfully I think some of them may be a bit suspect given the quality of this book. It simply cries out for a good editor - or any editor - as for example the idea of getting prepared for rounds is explained three times in just the first third of the book.
Another idea that an editor couId help with would be interweaving patient stories together. That would certainly be expected in a novel titled Seven Patients and it was honestly a bit shocking that this never happened at all. There seemed to be no relation of one case to another, nor did our writer/speaker/hero try to link them by explaining how things in one part of the action affected what he did or how he reacted elsewhere.
It was not hard to guess that the writer was trying to put together the outline for a tv medical drama ala Grey's Anatomy but not quite succeeding. The atmosphere the author paints is, in a word, Grim. He exhibited an almost passive-aggressive distaste for the way medical schools run their programs and how teaching hospitals train young doctors, which made the stories seem a bit preachy and almost angry, with certain themes being emphasized and repeated. Worse, and this is harder to achieve, no likeable characters emerged or reached out to the reader, with neither patients nor families being portrayed in a positive light. Further, the character development in this book was non existent and next to no real interpersonal relationships were explored. Major disappointment there.
Sadly, and not following the common structure of a novel or even short stories as I know them, there was no build up of action from the beginning. Development of the story to a climax was never accomplished, if even attempted. Having something shocking happen near the end of the book doesn't count as climax considering something shocking or surprising happened frequently all through the book. Towards the end it seemed like discussing pus, maggots, fecal material and an ostomy was done simply for shock value.
When I finished reading I was wondering if that was all there was to it. There was no real 'end' of the story; as our medical student finishes his year he never conveyed plans for the future or wrapped up the year past. No moral to the story, lessons learned or even a sense of finality. Those things just never happened. It was as if the author simply decided that he had done enough and thus stopped writing. Very much a letdown considering the potential for a good story here.
Another idea that an editor couId help with would be interweaving patient stories together. That would certainly be expected in a novel titled Seven Patients and it was honestly a bit shocking that this never happened at all. There seemed to be no relation of one case to another, nor did our writer/speaker/hero try to link them by explaining how things in one part of the action affected what he did or how he reacted elsewhere.
It was not hard to guess that the writer was trying to put together the outline for a tv medical drama ala Grey's Anatomy but not quite succeeding. The atmosphere the author paints is, in a word, Grim. He exhibited an almost passive-aggressive distaste for the way medical schools run their programs and how teaching hospitals train young doctors, which made the stories seem a bit preachy and almost angry, with certain themes being emphasized and repeated. Worse, and this is harder to achieve, no likeable characters emerged or reached out to the reader, with neither patients nor families being portrayed in a positive light. Further, the character development in this book was non existent and next to no real interpersonal relationships were explored. Major disappointment there.
Sadly, and not following the common structure of a novel or even short stories as I know them, there was no build up of action from the beginning. Development of the story to a climax was never accomplished, if even attempted. Having something shocking happen near the end of the book doesn't count as climax considering something shocking or surprising happened frequently all through the book. Towards the end it seemed like discussing pus, maggots, fecal material and an ostomy was done simply for shock value.
When I finished reading I was wondering if that was all there was to it. There was no real 'end' of the story; as our medical student finishes his year he never conveyed plans for the future or wrapped up the year past. No moral to the story, lessons learned or even a sense of finality. Those things just never happened. It was as if the author simply decided that he had done enough and thus stopped writing. Very much a letdown considering the potential for a good story here.
February 17, 2013
The stories, about seven patients by a medical student. Are they real or based on experience-we are not told. I would have to say they are written by someone in the medical world, who has gotten their hands dirty. Not a paper pusher or office manager. The writing and editing are 2-3 stars, but the content is 4-5 stars. Margaret Mary Mabel or was it Mary Mable Margaret? The demented gomer that calls out for Abigail. Who is she? Does Duane's MILF wife stay by his side, though he will be a veggie? Cindy-what happen to her, once back in NYC. You end up caring about these answers and more. You are shocked by how easy it is to do harm to a patient. I know understand why the computer charting, which has vexed my life-protects my patients so much.
This was a free read I got as an ebook offer. I would have paid to read this.
This was a free read I got as an ebook offer. I would have paid to read this.
March 28, 2013
I used to be a cop. The beginning of this book seemed promising. Like the first page or two, but as soon as the detective showed up on the scene and there was dialogue I knew absolutely ZERO effort had been made to research police procedures, and the conversation in this book was laughable.
First off - I do not care how old the "suspects" looked. If they appeared to be minors NO cop would risk potentially blowing a case by not reading them their miranda rights, and having the interview video taped and recorded. Absolute bullshit. The dialogue?
"Listen you little rascals, the next item I punch is going to be one of you twerps if you don't show the good Doctor here some respect."
Are you fucking kidding me? What grown ass man in 2013 uses the term Rascals and Twerps in the same sentence? I read until the chapter break.
Secondly, it felt like the story was set in America, I could be wrong, but it felt decidedly american with the whole cop this and cop that reference. However, the author used stones instead of pounds for weight. I don't know if thats an issue, but since I purchased this book on Amazon US I would expect that the conversions would have been made to american english but that's just me.
Additionally, in the first part of the first chapter an infant is brought in, and the "parents" are brought in handcuffed. That would never happen. Then the character says they're only being questioned they're not under arrest, and he wants a lawyer etc.
None of this made any sense from a legal standpoint. This was not a fantasy story. I could suspend disbelief if it were, but when you're writing about real life things and real life experiences there needs to be realism and research done so professionals who are in those fields don't absolutely rip your manuscript apart for its inaccuracies.
That is all.
First off - I do not care how old the "suspects" looked. If they appeared to be minors NO cop would risk potentially blowing a case by not reading them their miranda rights, and having the interview video taped and recorded. Absolute bullshit. The dialogue?
"Listen you little rascals, the next item I punch is going to be one of you twerps if you don't show the good Doctor here some respect."
Are you fucking kidding me? What grown ass man in 2013 uses the term Rascals and Twerps in the same sentence? I read until the chapter break.
Secondly, it felt like the story was set in America, I could be wrong, but it felt decidedly american with the whole cop this and cop that reference. However, the author used stones instead of pounds for weight. I don't know if thats an issue, but since I purchased this book on Amazon US I would expect that the conversions would have been made to american english but that's just me.
Additionally, in the first part of the first chapter an infant is brought in, and the "parents" are brought in handcuffed. That would never happen. Then the character says they're only being questioned they're not under arrest, and he wants a lawyer etc.
None of this made any sense from a legal standpoint. This was not a fantasy story. I could suspend disbelief if it were, but when you're writing about real life things and real life experiences there needs to be realism and research done so professionals who are in those fields don't absolutely rip your manuscript apart for its inaccuracies.
That is all.
July 10, 2012
Fantastic! Fantastic!
I want to keep saying this more but will restraint myself. Is this fiction? Non-fiction? Whatever this is, it is an absoute beauty. This can be a medical thriller, a book on growing up, musings on life and philosophy; it can be each one of them in its own right. This novel shot out from the dark like a bolt. Had never heard of the author, had almost zero expectations, and started reading it only because I had nothing else to read. But, am I not glad I did.
The story is about a medical student Rajen Mok based in a US hospital. During his stint as an under tutelage medical student, he gets a chance to be involved in the lives of seven patients over a period of about 7-9 months. This novel narrates the way each of these patients receive medical care, the varying approach of each doctor to his/her patient, and ultimately, about what each patient expects from the medical care system. From a weeks old patient who does not even get a chance to have a thought of her own, to a patient who expects the entire medical establishment to be at this beck and call, to a patient who is reduced to being a vegetable and begging for the same medical establishment to end his life; all of this quickly teaches Rajen the realities of life, which are far removed from theories of books.
Not all patients view their doctors as messiahs saving life, not all doctors treat their profession as nobly as they should, and there is very thin line dividing emancipation from illegality.
The narrative is top-notch, fluent and high quality. The pace is racier than even the most racy thriller I have read of late. Highly recommended!
I want to keep saying this more but will restraint myself. Is this fiction? Non-fiction? Whatever this is, it is an absoute beauty. This can be a medical thriller, a book on growing up, musings on life and philosophy; it can be each one of them in its own right. This novel shot out from the dark like a bolt. Had never heard of the author, had almost zero expectations, and started reading it only because I had nothing else to read. But, am I not glad I did.
The story is about a medical student Rajen Mok based in a US hospital. During his stint as an under tutelage medical student, he gets a chance to be involved in the lives of seven patients over a period of about 7-9 months. This novel narrates the way each of these patients receive medical care, the varying approach of each doctor to his/her patient, and ultimately, about what each patient expects from the medical care system. From a weeks old patient who does not even get a chance to have a thought of her own, to a patient who expects the entire medical establishment to be at this beck and call, to a patient who is reduced to being a vegetable and begging for the same medical establishment to end his life; all of this quickly teaches Rajen the realities of life, which are far removed from theories of books.
Not all patients view their doctors as messiahs saving life, not all doctors treat their profession as nobly as they should, and there is very thin line dividing emancipation from illegality.
The narrative is top-notch, fluent and high quality. The pace is racier than even the most racy thriller I have read of late. Highly recommended!
January 1, 2025
This was one of the oldest books on my shelf so I was glad to finally read it. It was extremely graphic and vile, if you like that kind of thing. It was told from a fictional medical student POV. I don't know a lot about that subculture, but I was wondering how much of this could have been realistic. There were a couple of parts of the book that were horrible and heartbreaking! There were also quite a few mistakes that should have been caught during an edit. The ending was quite sudden which didn't wrap up the story well at all. A 3 star read for me.
September 4, 2013
I was on holiday and so thought to broaden out my reading tastes. I saw this book as a freebie and thought "What have I got to lose?"
(In truth the answer was 'my dinner' but more of this later.)
Firstly, let me say I'm so glad I read this book. I started reading and couldn't put it down. If anything the weakest chapter is the first, so if you like the sample - buy the book.
'Seven Patients' is clever on so many different levels. I especially enjoyed Raje's descent (ah, or is it an ascent?) into ignoring medical law and acting out of human sympathy for the plight of his patients. This was subtly and totally believably done. I suspect US medical practise is different to the UK, but even so I was able to follow the culture of the med students and keep up with the lingo. Be warned, however, that this book is quite graphic in places -so much so that I decided to stop reading a few hours before bedtime in case it gave me nightmares - and I'm a practising veterinarian!
It's also clever because of the question of cause and effect raised within it - but just in case I'm beginning to sound pompous let me summarise - a cracking good read with grotesque elements.
(In truth the answer was 'my dinner' but more of this later.)
Firstly, let me say I'm so glad I read this book. I started reading and couldn't put it down. If anything the weakest chapter is the first, so if you like the sample - buy the book.
'Seven Patients' is clever on so many different levels. I especially enjoyed Raje's descent (ah, or is it an ascent?) into ignoring medical law and acting out of human sympathy for the plight of his patients. This was subtly and totally believably done. I suspect US medical practise is different to the UK, but even so I was able to follow the culture of the med students and keep up with the lingo. Be warned, however, that this book is quite graphic in places -so much so that I decided to stop reading a few hours before bedtime in case it gave me nightmares - and I'm a practising veterinarian!
It's also clever because of the question of cause and effect raised within it - but just in case I'm beginning to sound pompous let me summarise - a cracking good read with grotesque elements.
December 24, 2014
I found 'Seven Patients' to be an utterly amazing piece of work. I was enthralled in the medical jargon, gasping at the events that transpired and the diseases bared by the patients. This book is an incredible journey.
So, how could I give it only a 1 star rating? -- The author used vulgar language throughout, which completely degraded the entire book for me.
However, I loved it still, because the author seems so knowledgeable of the medical field. I added much to my personal vocabulary after reading 'Seven Patients' (and the author even includes a helpful glossary in the back!). The patients that young medical student, Raj Mok, encounters aren't always of the typical sort. Meeting up with a wide range of symptomatic ER patients, over the span of a few months, we are really allowed to see the sort of thing doctors have to deal with daily.
Note to readers: This book contains graphic scenes, medical mayhem (lots of blood and other "things", everywhere, all the time), vulgar words, and some mature content.
So, how could I give it only a 1 star rating? -- The author used vulgar language throughout, which completely degraded the entire book for me.
However, I loved it still, because the author seems so knowledgeable of the medical field. I added much to my personal vocabulary after reading 'Seven Patients' (and the author even includes a helpful glossary in the back!). The patients that young medical student, Raj Mok, encounters aren't always of the typical sort. Meeting up with a wide range of symptomatic ER patients, over the span of a few months, we are really allowed to see the sort of thing doctors have to deal with daily.
Note to readers: This book contains graphic scenes, medical mayhem (lots of blood and other "things", everywhere, all the time), vulgar words, and some mature content.
August 15, 2012
Raj is a third year medical student doing his rotations at a teaching hospital in So. California. As he moves through ICU, ER, surgery, etc. he encounters many patients but seven that have the greatest impact on his career choice. This more a case history of several patients than a real insight into Raj's soul. If you like intense medical TV shows you will probably enjoy this book more than I did. The author seemed very intent on impressing the reader with his knowledge of medical procedures, unusual diseases or conditions, medications and hospital jargon. I never really felt like I got to know any of the characters in more than a superficial way. Also, I hope there is more fiction than fact in this world where the various layers of medical personnel are rude and contemptous of each other and where anyone with acess to meds and medical records can do pretty much anything that they want with a patient.
September 3, 2012
Well, SOMEONE has read House of God... This book is very similar to House of God but not nearly as well written, seems self published without the benefit of an editor and pissed me off quite a bit. There was nurse insulting and I find that very offensive, I am a nurse. That being said, medical students do not give orders and they certainly have no legal right to write an order. I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess this author was put in his place at some point by a nurse and that's the motive behind the poor portrayal he gives of nurses. People who aren't on the caregiver side of medicine will read this and believe that these things he writes about are all true. Nope, they're not. He has greatly embellished the roles that med students have. They get to watch, get grilled by attendings, and if they're really good the attending will stand by the student's side and let him/her physically write an order the attending dictates. The situations written about are pure fiction.
May 31, 2012
A great light hearted read delving into the nuiances of modern medicine. We see why an innocent medical student, Raj, get transformed into someone who is easily of doing the exact opposite of what his training is supposed to be about.
While the book does technically contain 'seven' patients, they are all wound together in a complex story that takes the reader through a tour of what medicine is like from the eyes of a student and his practicing seniors, all the way from interns to professors of medicine.
The book reads so fast, I wish it was 'Fourteen Patients.'
After reading this book, I'll be VERY leery of ever stepping foot in a hospital again!
While the book does technically contain 'seven' patients, they are all wound together in a complex story that takes the reader through a tour of what medicine is like from the eyes of a student and his practicing seniors, all the way from interns to professors of medicine.
The book reads so fast, I wish it was 'Fourteen Patients.'
After reading this book, I'll be VERY leery of ever stepping foot in a hospital again!
May 5, 2013
This book was a fun read if you take it with a grain of salt. This is fiction so it all comes from the imagination of the author. I did download this from the Kindle Lenders library thinking it was an account from an actual intern of life in an ER but once I began to read it I realized it was actually Fiction. Once I was able to discern the credibility of the events and just enjoy some great stories, then the read was easy to comprehend.
The prose was okay and the writing was so so, it read much like a tale around the campfire. If you can download it for free or purchase it at a used bookstore, then it is fun to read but I would not pay full price for this piece of fiction
The prose was okay and the writing was so so, it read much like a tale around the campfire. If you can download it for free or purchase it at a used bookstore, then it is fun to read but I would not pay full price for this piece of fiction
May 7, 2014
A Med Student's Tale
A Med Student's Tale
This is an interesting narrative by a medical student during 3rd year rotations. Being interested in medicine I enjoyed this book.
There were numerous mis-spellings and grammar issues but it was easy enough to read through them.
Be warned...some of the descriptions are quite graphic and may be disturbing to some readers.
A Med Student's Tale
This is an interesting narrative by a medical student during 3rd year rotations. Being interested in medicine I enjoyed this book.
There were numerous mis-spellings and grammar issues but it was easy enough to read through them.
Be warned...some of the descriptions are quite graphic and may be disturbing to some readers.
July 14, 2021
REALISTIC ???
As a retired healthcare professional of 45 years, I was slightly shocked and sometimes appalled with the content of this book. However the medical jargon, treatments, and procedures were accurate. Personnel, patient, and family attitudes described could not be more accurate. Descriptions of patient conditions, although gross and unbelievable, were realistic. The medical jargon was underlined with a link to a reference section at the end of the book for those non-medical readers. The treatment and hierarchy of medical students, interns, and residents is unfortunately described accurately regardless of rules and regulations. However, I did not experience such flagrant malpractice and illegal activities as a healthcare practitioner. I was either unaware of such blatant activities , or they were carried out very clandestinely. I worked in a large 500+ bed facility, but the many levels of ordering physicians did not exist. ICU nurses are very leary of orders from non-specialty physicians and carefully review and question such orders if appropriate. Inconsistent lab values generally required a redraw for confirmation. I never had a physician draw labs for me. On the other hand, this book was so riveting and entertaining, that I read it in one sitting. It was like watching a train wreck-I couldn't put it down. This book is not for the squeamish. Healthcare professionals will particularly enjoy it.
As a retired healthcare professional of 45 years, I was slightly shocked and sometimes appalled with the content of this book. However the medical jargon, treatments, and procedures were accurate. Personnel, patient, and family attitudes described could not be more accurate. Descriptions of patient conditions, although gross and unbelievable, were realistic. The medical jargon was underlined with a link to a reference section at the end of the book for those non-medical readers. The treatment and hierarchy of medical students, interns, and residents is unfortunately described accurately regardless of rules and regulations. However, I did not experience such flagrant malpractice and illegal activities as a healthcare practitioner. I was either unaware of such blatant activities , or they were carried out very clandestinely. I worked in a large 500+ bed facility, but the many levels of ordering physicians did not exist. ICU nurses are very leary of orders from non-specialty physicians and carefully review and question such orders if appropriate. Inconsistent lab values generally required a redraw for confirmation. I never had a physician draw labs for me. On the other hand, this book was so riveting and entertaining, that I read it in one sitting. It was like watching a train wreck-I couldn't put it down. This book is not for the squeamish. Healthcare professionals will particularly enjoy it.
June 13, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I know that there were a lot of negative reviews on this book, but I couldn’t put it down. I’ve been obsessed with medicine (courtesy of Grey’s Anatomy) as long as I can remember. I liked how the book truly focused on the medicine and avoided drama (unlike Grey’s anatomy). The only thing that upset me with this book was his treatment of Jacob - it is absolutely atrocious to me. Even my boyfriend had to make sure I was okay because he could see how visibly disturbed I was. Although how he treated Duane’s situation is more understandable/acceptable, ending a person’s life with or without their consent is highly illegal. Being a doctor does NOT mean you can play God. I would’ve given this book a higher rating if not for the last few chapters. I was happy seeing Raj learn from his peers, and even be praised for some good calls that he made. I was enjoying seeing him grow. But the last few chapters made me very upset and questioning… does this really happen in health care?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 7, 2021
Interesting point of view about teaching hospitals
I don’t think this is written as fiction, but I want it to be. Having worked as a secretary in the chief residents’s office many years ago, I am well aware of how overworked residents were at that time. These stories make the things I knew appear normal. The seven cases presented and the behavior of doctors in dealing with hospital protocols is astounding. An easy read for folks with a little medical background and certainly a book to make me think about modern medicine.
I don’t think this is written as fiction, but I want it to be. Having worked as a secretary in the chief residents’s office many years ago, I am well aware of how overworked residents were at that time. These stories make the things I knew appear normal. The seven cases presented and the behavior of doctors in dealing with hospital protocols is astounding. An easy read for folks with a little medical background and certainly a book to make me think about modern medicine.
October 10, 2018
I read this book years ago while working in the hospital and then just happened upon it again not realizing I'd already read it before. It was good enough to keep me entertained through a second reading. It was easy to read if you're okay with medical jargon, although there's a glossary in the back if you need help. Really thought this book could have been real with all that hospital workers go through and how unsettling people can be.
August 16, 2019
So interesting!
As someone extremely interested in all things medical, I found this book to be an awesome read! It was well-written from a med student's point of view and I learned a lot of new medical terms as well! I really enjoyed this book and wish that there were a few more chapters to read!
As someone extremely interested in all things medical, I found this book to be an awesome read! It was well-written from a med student's point of view and I learned a lot of new medical terms as well! I really enjoyed this book and wish that there were a few more chapters to read!
April 12, 2020
How to Malpractice in too many words
Was this really published? Legitimately? It seems to be a journal, not very well written and geared toward the medical community. Was it intended to be an expose as well as a diary? I don't know but there are well-written exposes such as Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential...And then there is this hot mess. Don't waste your time.
Was this really published? Legitimately? It seems to be a journal, not very well written and geared toward the medical community. Was it intended to be an expose as well as a diary? I don't know but there are well-written exposes such as Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential...And then there is this hot mess. Don't waste your time.
December 3, 2022
This was one of the first medical books I’ve read, and it made me want to read many more like this. This book was very well written. The descriptions were graphic, you could picture and sense everything going on. This book is not for the faint hearted. There is gore and vivid descriptions of medical conditions.
May 18, 2023
Wasn’t sure whether this was a fiction or nonfiction book, till I read about the different patients and treatment of them. Fiction all the way through. Would a medical student be able to get away with the things he could order and do with the patients assigned to him? No way. Read it and decided for yourself. Interesting, gross and way out there.
June 11, 2017
Good medical read!
East style to read. Enjoyed the use of medical terms in conjunction with the different patients. Doubt it is a true story as the last one is a little too unbelievable but still a fun and quick read.
East style to read. Enjoyed the use of medical terms in conjunction with the different patients. Doubt it is a true story as the last one is a little too unbelievable but still a fun and quick read.
June 15, 2019
Real life education for a medical student.
The story line held my interest. I'm not sure I like the way it ends. It seemed abrupt and like there should be more to the story.
The story line held my interest. I'm not sure I like the way it ends. It seemed abrupt and like there should be more to the story.
January 2, 2022
some things I already knew
In working in the medical profession for many years I knew what was going on. Most of the time. And I actually take my hair off to those people that do care about suffering some say it's not right. Others who work and watch know it is. Great story
In working in the medical profession for many years I knew what was going on. Most of the time. And I actually take my hair off to those people that do care about suffering some say it's not right. Others who work and watch know it is. Great story
December 27, 2017
Flojo y poco sorprendente.
August 17, 2017
Very interesting to me. Really liked it.
July 23, 2018
Reality time.
Read this and you will never view the medical world the same as you did prior to reading this book. Even as a retired nurse this read was an eye opener.
Read this and you will never view the medical world the same as you did prior to reading this book. Even as a retired nurse this read was an eye opener.
October 25, 2018
This book is a complete waste of time
February 26, 2019
Relating
It was great to see a blending of technical doctor talk with some human interest input. The insight of following a med student. In a hospital environment was enlightning.
It was great to see a blending of technical doctor talk with some human interest input. The insight of following a med student. In a hospital environment was enlightning.
May 29, 2019
Wow!! Intense!!
I work in the medical field and this was a little intense, even for me! This one grabs you and really makes you wonder, do things like this actually happen?
I work in the medical field and this was a little intense, even for me! This one grabs you and really makes you wonder, do things like this actually happen?
August 31, 2019
Really good read!
Loved this book!,it is the basis for the tv show new Amsterdam! Very interesting take on medical students and their internship.
Loved this book!,it is the basis for the tv show new Amsterdam! Very interesting take on medical students and their internship.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews