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The Real Doc Martin: The Humour, Sadness and Absurdity of a Life in General Practice
'Near the end would be good.'
For over thirty years a GP called Martin sat at his desk on the outskirts of Manchester, as patients from all streams of life settled across from him and began with one familiar 'I don’t know where to start, Doc.'
The Real Doc Martin takes us on the journey of the daily ups and downs for a real GP, in a setting less picturesque, but certainly no less amusing, than in a fictional TV seaside town. Martin Stagg reveals the humour, sadness and frequent absurdities of a career at the grassroots of medical care in the UK, as well as the traverses and changes to our beloved NHS over the years.
From the poignant and moving to hilarious moments of chaos and confusion, this is a true glimpse into the unpredictable rollercoaster ride that is a life in general practice.
For over thirty years a GP called Martin sat at his desk on the outskirts of Manchester, as patients from all streams of life settled across from him and began with one familiar 'I don’t know where to start, Doc.'
The Real Doc Martin takes us on the journey of the daily ups and downs for a real GP, in a setting less picturesque, but certainly no less amusing, than in a fictional TV seaside town. Martin Stagg reveals the humour, sadness and frequent absurdities of a career at the grassroots of medical care in the UK, as well as the traverses and changes to our beloved NHS over the years.
From the poignant and moving to hilarious moments of chaos and confusion, this is a true glimpse into the unpredictable rollercoaster ride that is a life in general practice.
- GenresNonfiction
365 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 22, 2024
190 people are currently reading
61 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 16, 2024
Informative, and fun. A very pleasant read.
Newly published this year-2024, I kept seeing this book. I've read loads of doc memoirs, and just had to grab this.
Starts when he's working his first year as a GP in Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester (quite near to me, I'm in Yorkshire). It's easy to read, and has a warm, friendly feel to it.
He has over 30 years experience as a GP. He's kept some diaries, he also worked briefly in Africa and still had his letters to and from his mum, and used all this material to write his book.
He says he hopes to entertain, amuse and inform - with this book, he's certainly done that, even in just the early stages, it's cracking read.
He tells of his school days, then medical school, and his various placements.
He seems a very likeable guy. I love the book's cover (that's what caught my eye), love the idea of the title, I liked his humour, and loved how it was written.
Short/brief chapters keep it moving along nicely. Contains funny, and unimaginable tales too. Some unbelievable and absurd circumstances that doctors find themselves dealing with. Amazing the things they must see and experience in their everyday work.
This is a nice light, quick and easy read-some medical memoirs can be a bit more heavy-going/heartwrenching with some terrible and tragic cases-this is mostly upbeat.
I liked this. I liked it a lot.
Newly published this year-2024, I kept seeing this book. I've read loads of doc memoirs, and just had to grab this.
Starts when he's working his first year as a GP in Ashton-under-Lyne, Manchester (quite near to me, I'm in Yorkshire). It's easy to read, and has a warm, friendly feel to it.
He has over 30 years experience as a GP. He's kept some diaries, he also worked briefly in Africa and still had his letters to and from his mum, and used all this material to write his book.
He says he hopes to entertain, amuse and inform - with this book, he's certainly done that, even in just the early stages, it's cracking read.
He tells of his school days, then medical school, and his various placements.
He seems a very likeable guy. I love the book's cover (that's what caught my eye), love the idea of the title, I liked his humour, and loved how it was written.
Short/brief chapters keep it moving along nicely. Contains funny, and unimaginable tales too. Some unbelievable and absurd circumstances that doctors find themselves dealing with. Amazing the things they must see and experience in their everyday work.
This is a nice light, quick and easy read-some medical memoirs can be a bit more heavy-going/heartwrenching with some terrible and tragic cases-this is mostly upbeat.
I liked this. I liked it a lot.
November 27, 2024
A thoroughly good read
This is a well written, thought provoking and gently numerous memoir of the life of a doctor, most of it as a GP.
There's no doubt that doctors in the 50s and 60s were more conscientious and in some ways more approachable but it doesn't do, as Dr Stagg says, to view it all through rose tinted glasses, people died of things they would not today. Also illnesses went unnoticed without today's diagnostic tools. This book is very balanced and explains all sides very well.
It does of course, have the usual ration of humerous anecdotes but they are none of them malicious and all amusing even though occasionally they make one gasp. All in all, thoroughly recommended.
This is a well written, thought provoking and gently numerous memoir of the life of a doctor, most of it as a GP.
There's no doubt that doctors in the 50s and 60s were more conscientious and in some ways more approachable but it doesn't do, as Dr Stagg says, to view it all through rose tinted glasses, people died of things they would not today. Also illnesses went unnoticed without today's diagnostic tools. This book is very balanced and explains all sides very well.
It does of course, have the usual ration of humerous anecdotes but they are none of them malicious and all amusing even though occasionally they make one gasp. All in all, thoroughly recommended.
August 21, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed his account of his years as a doctor and the number of situations he encountered. The book is mainly upbeat and practical, describing the normal challenges of dealing with people but no real heartbreaking tales of terminal illnesses and accidents.
July 2, 2024
A warm, humourous account of a doctor's life, from training until retirement. Enjoyed the stories of patients and what a doctor's life looks and feels like. Fascinating.
July 26, 2024
Very well written and i found it both informative and funny. When i think back on some of the anecdotes i can appreciate the role a medical professional has in communication.
September 16, 2025
Life in General Practice
I found this book interesting, as our Granddaughter is a Doctor.
Also the G P surgery is only about 10 miles from where I live.
I found this book interesting, as our Granddaughter is a Doctor.
Also the G P surgery is only about 10 miles from where I live.
May 19, 2025
An eye opening account of a doctor in general practice. I enjoyed this book, reading about how Martin started his career and how he ended up in General Practice.
From working in Botswana when he was younger, to working locally as a fully qualified GP, the book was full of stories from different countries and the people he met.
Great read for anybody who enjoys medical biographies.
From working in Botswana when he was younger, to working locally as a fully qualified GP, the book was full of stories from different countries and the people he met.
Great read for anybody who enjoys medical biographies.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews