Bedside Stories: Confessions of a Junior Doctor

by Michael Foxton

For two years, Michael Foxton wrote about his experiences as a junior doctor in the NHS for the Guardian. Vivid, hilarious, and often alarming, his book has gone on to find a cult following among doctors and patients alike. His observations illuminate the quirks, horrors, and delights of all aspects of doctoring, from casualty to the psychiatric ward. Foxton tells us what it really feels like to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and introduces us to a mixed cast of patient that includes the rude, the violent, and the outrageously flirtatious. Bedside Stories has become a comic classic.

Genres: Nonfiction, Medical, Medicine

164 pages, Paperback

First published October 9, 2003

Reviews

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who enjoyed Tom Reynold's "Blood , Sweat and Tea", will love this quick read. It follows the life of Dr . Foxton from when he qualifies until he chooses his career path and settles down to be a proper "doctor". There were some moments when I totally understood where he was coming from ....."Nurses being bullies to Junior Docs"....( I am not one of those can I just say...lol, ) , I have seen this in action and also seen some of the daft things JHO's used to do and have a little giggle at them! The best advise he gives is not to get sick in August....that's when all the medical students having qualified move into their roles as Junior Doctors , most of them not having a clue what they are at!!! This was an entertaining read, realistic and worth spending the time reading

[Chrissy Francis-Gilbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A most interesting, eyebrow-raising and in places sad collection of tales and experiences related to the author's journey through and out of junior doctorhood in the NHS.

There is a lot of wit, a lot of honesty and a great deal of graphic description. Medical institutions like hospitals and the professionals who work so hard there both fascinate and impress me. I could never do it myself and that's perhaps why I enjoy the insights like the ones shared in this book so much.
It is an older presentation of the NHS and its concern about its future, first published back in 2003. I've attached the opening dedication to the "glorious socialist republic of the NHS and Alan Milburn: Health Secretary who angrily denounced doctors as greedy when they rejected the new contract, forcing us into even longer hours and then resigned to spend more time with his family."  History does repeat itself does it not ... I'm interested to update myself on the full scale of what NHS staff have experienced and are experiencing (and how they're persevering in spite of it all) as a consequence of all that has happened in recent years.

Incidentally, I also recommend one of the Radio Three podcast episodes on New Thinking: Writing the NHS.

This New Thinking conversation is a part of a series of 5 episodes of the Arts and Ideas podcast marking the 75th anniversary of the NHS focusing on new research in UK universities which explores links between the arts and health. It is made in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council, part of UKRI.

You can find out more on their website https://www.ukri.org/councils/ahrc

[Rachelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author shares his journey from being a junior doctor, to becoming a psychiatrist. Hilarious and very engaging. His anecdotes /stories lets his readers get a glimpse of what it is like to be a psychiatrist, or a doctor in general. Despite everthing (from patients of different attitudes to the general situation of the healthcare system), these health workers are really worthy to be respected and praised. Salute to all health workers!

[Farhana Ara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Run of the mill stuff JD’s (junior doctors), superbly written and still rings true. Loved it

[Lora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark humour is used to portray the hellish life of a junior doctor. It is hilarious, moving and somewhat alarming as it accounts for what life is like as a new doctor is really like. Made me laugh uncontrollably one moment and shudder in disbelief the next!

[janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really did make me laugh out loud... I'm public! It's one of those books where I had to keep stopping and reading parts out loud to my husband as if found them so funny!
Well worth a read of you want something light hearted and easy to pick up and it down!

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author takes us through his career from 'baby' doctor to psychiatrist, telling stories of his colleagues, instructors, patients and himself. Open and honest and rather amusing in parts.

[Darlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far...I'm not sure whether I can take half the stuff junior doctors go through.

Excuse me, while I try to search for another career aspiration.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well. I've read better in the same genre.
Slightly alarming!
Read Atul Gawande for an alternative in the same vein (but in USA)

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and comic at times. Not as good as some other books of a similar ilk.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Makes you appreciate New Zealand's system so doctors aren't working 36 hours straight. Still a pessimistic view but also a reality of life for a junior doc.

[Giskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An oldie but a goodie, this is Foxton's often-hilarious account of being a junior doctor.