Do No Harm

by Daniel Ochalek

Medical students and physicians in training are often pushed to the brink, working long hours under intense pressure and scrutiny for years. In their quest to heal others, doctors' families and friends sometimes become collateral damage as relationships are destroyed. In Do No Harm we see a fictionalized account of one surgeon whose traumatic childhood inspires him to become a doctor instead of following his heart, which is playing jazz. Michael, the doctor, is pushed to the brink emotionally and physically when trying to survive surgical internships, and once again when practicing as a burn surgeon. It's a sobering tale of mental illness that takes readers on a deep dive into the hardened, sometimes unforgiving culture of medical training, the dysfunctional business side that follows, and the toll it all takes on the individual.

182 pages, Paperback

Published November 22, 2024

Reviews

[Isabel Sichlau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible from start to finish. I love a psychological thriller and Do No Harm did not disappoint. The entire story had me gripped. For most chapters, I listened to the jazz piece while I read and the tone and theme of each song perfectly aligned with story (particularly chapter 22: a night in Tunisia, which had my heart racing from either the book or the tension of the song) (probably both). Going to be thinking about this book for days

[Anthony Damaschino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do No Harm by Daniel Ochalek was recommended to me by a friend—but with no spoilers or concrete details about the story. Intrigued and curious, I started reading without any set expectations. Four hours later, I had finished it. Hats off to the author for crafting such a compelling story that kept me hooked from start to finish.

The book follows Michael, a doctor, and his fascinating life journey. I especially appreciated the vivid portrayal of his med school and rotation experiences, which felt authentic and engaging. The story doesn’t rely on gimmicks; instead, it delivers unexpected twists and turns that are best experienced firsthand by the reader—no spoilers here!

As they say, a good book is the best medicine for the soul. I wholeheartedly prescribe Do No Harm to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written read.

[Lisa Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Do No Harm, though I found it to be psychologically chilling at times. Following the mind of a surgeon grappling with his inner demons while navigating the moral complexities of medicine was a captivating experience. The story expertly explores the fine line between right and wrong in the medical world, adding layers of tension and depth. One of the most unique aspects of the book was how the author incorporated jazz music, with specific songs introduced before each chapter. (I even ended up creating a Spotify playlist of the tracks and discovered a newfound appreciation for jazz—an unexpected bonus.) Overall, Do No Harm is a thrilling, thought-provoking read that lingers long after the final page. With its haunting conclusion, it’s a must-read for fans of psychological dramas and medical thrillers.