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Everything But the Medicine: A Doctor's Tale
Wise, candid, brave and moving, this superbly written memoir by a New Zealand GP is reminiscent of the warm wisdom and humanity of the American physician and writer Atul Gawande.
Over her long career Dr Lucy O'Hagan has developed deep insights into the profound but often complex relationship between patients and doctors. Reading about her own struggle with what it means to be a truly useful doctor is both fascinating and absorbing.
From working with people living on the margins and her own burnout to her efforts to better serve her Maori patients and the humour that's sometimes needed to get through the day, she keeps her eye on one key What is it to be a good doctor in this place?
Over her long career Dr Lucy O'Hagan has developed deep insights into the profound but often complex relationship between patients and doctors. Reading about her own struggle with what it means to be a truly useful doctor is both fascinating and absorbing.
From working with people living on the margins and her own burnout to her efforts to better serve her Maori patients and the humour that's sometimes needed to get through the day, she keeps her eye on one key What is it to be a good doctor in this place?
- GenresNonfictionMedical
288 pages, Paperback
Published September 11, 2025
15 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 29, 2025
Loved this. Made me want to see the privilege in being a GP. Great words on equity, we can’t even see the fence from the grandstands!
December 3, 2025
Also in contention for my book of the year!!!!!! I cannot stop talking about this book to everyone I see. Such a compelling, punchy, devastating read. Essential for anyone living and working in Aotearoa New Zealand imo.
January 11, 2026
Phenomenal. Cannot say enough good words. I will be re reading this so much. Perfect book to start my career, a great reminder to be human first and always
January 15, 2026
Awesome
September 14, 2025
This book, raw and poignant while still maintaining a sense of optimism... feels like a friend for those made lonely by healthcare existentialism. Ngā mihi. I shall carry it with me.
November 4, 2025
This is the kind of engaged thoughtful person I would want as my GP. I loved the te ao Māori literacy, and this book made it more accessible to me as a Pākehā somehow.
I also enjoyed being able to empathise with the stressors many GPs must face in the NZ health system. I’ve often wondered about the mental well being of those GPs who have cared (or not) for me thru the years.
The poetry was surprising good also.
I found some bits not relevant to my experience, some unnecessary, some long winded. But overall I found this enjoyable and an insight into a not often shared experience.
I also enjoyed being able to empathise with the stressors many GPs must face in the NZ health system. I’ve often wondered about the mental well being of those GPs who have cared (or not) for me thru the years.
The poetry was surprising good also.
I found some bits not relevant to my experience, some unnecessary, some long winded. But overall I found this enjoyable and an insight into a not often shared experience.
October 20, 2025
From the opening page of this completely engaging book I knew I wouldn’t want it to end. And so it was. Chronicling the author’s journey through her life as a New Zealand GP., its many stories are alive with humour, joy, and life, and some significant challenges. Lucy O’Hagan expresses her love of medicine with its tapestry of human experience.
The book opens with Who is the doctor writing this book, where we meet the author and members of her family, including some significant life and death events. The book is composed of stories divided into Patient, System, Doctor, and Story. The process of gathering her stories and learning to listen forms the central column of this entire book.
Patient largely comprises evocative vignettes, remixed from hundreds, if not thousands, of patients seen in O’Hagan’s’s 30+ years of practice as a GP. System examines the impact of dysfunction and inequities of a healthcare system, New Zealand’s in particular, though applicable elsewhere as well no doubt, on the way doctors are able to do their work, and how that affects patients. In Doctor O’Hagan describes the evolution of her professional identity, once again through stories about her patients and the quality of the relationships she has built. In Story the author courageously recounts her experience of burnout, what led to it and how she emerged from it. This part of the book arose from public speaking engagements about her burnout, which she believed would stir little interest, and yet countless audience members, other doctors, expressed their appreciation and recognition of her courage and their wish to know more of her story.
While the book is located firmly in New Zealand with its two cultures - colonising Europeans and indigenous Māori - its relevance is universal. There are doctors and clinicians everywhere whose wish to do the best they can will benefit from reading O’Hagan’s patient, careful and unpretentious approach. And for all of us who have been patients at one time or another, the book is full of life, love, and stories.
The reviewer acknowledges her copy from the publisher.
The book opens with Who is the doctor writing this book, where we meet the author and members of her family, including some significant life and death events. The book is composed of stories divided into Patient, System, Doctor, and Story. The process of gathering her stories and learning to listen forms the central column of this entire book.
Patient largely comprises evocative vignettes, remixed from hundreds, if not thousands, of patients seen in O’Hagan’s’s 30+ years of practice as a GP. System examines the impact of dysfunction and inequities of a healthcare system, New Zealand’s in particular, though applicable elsewhere as well no doubt, on the way doctors are able to do their work, and how that affects patients. In Doctor O’Hagan describes the evolution of her professional identity, once again through stories about her patients and the quality of the relationships she has built. In Story the author courageously recounts her experience of burnout, what led to it and how she emerged from it. This part of the book arose from public speaking engagements about her burnout, which she believed would stir little interest, and yet countless audience members, other doctors, expressed their appreciation and recognition of her courage and their wish to know more of her story.
While the book is located firmly in New Zealand with its two cultures - colonising Europeans and indigenous Māori - its relevance is universal. There are doctors and clinicians everywhere whose wish to do the best they can will benefit from reading O’Hagan’s patient, careful and unpretentious approach. And for all of us who have been patients at one time or another, the book is full of life, love, and stories.
The reviewer acknowledges her copy from the publisher.
December 23, 2025
a uniquely told story of a Doctor a GP. started off as a rural GP. lived in rge Hawea area. She thought her personal life was good married happily or si she thought. with a couple kids.
finally she realizes she is in love with her best friend and eventually tells her so. an amical break up with her understanding husband. split all their assets in half. Has a break down but tries to soldier on as a doctor should she thinks.
Moves house to north of Wellington Porirua. Her patients are very different breed than she had before. Tells of the problems eithin the health system the inequities. and Learns Te reo to help ubderstand her patients. and their more holistic needs. Also the problems and tge worry when free treatments medication help is available and given but tge Patient doesn't pick up or use the prescribed medicines or
follow up her treatment plans.
Good read a slightly unusual way of writing a memoir.
finally she realizes she is in love with her best friend and eventually tells her so. an amical break up with her understanding husband. split all their assets in half. Has a break down but tries to soldier on as a doctor should she thinks.
Moves house to north of Wellington Porirua. Her patients are very different breed than she had before. Tells of the problems eithin the health system the inequities. and Learns Te reo to help ubderstand her patients. and their more holistic needs. Also the problems and tge worry when free treatments medication help is available and given but tge Patient doesn't pick up or use the prescribed medicines or
follow up her treatment plans.
Good read a slightly unusual way of writing a memoir.
December 18, 2025
Tumeke Lucy💚
This is now my book of the year, it’s raw, real and one I’ll always remember. Thank you for taking the time to share your stories to us all, your listeners. I am grateful for this gift of thought provoking stories to make us wonder.
Nga mihi.
This is now my book of the year, it’s raw, real and one I’ll always remember. Thank you for taking the time to share your stories to us all, your listeners. I am grateful for this gift of thought provoking stories to make us wonder.
Nga mihi.
December 24, 2025
A brave and honest account of this wonderful compassionate doctor’s daily life and challenges. Never again will I think bad thoughts if the doctor is running late. Loved it and greatly appreciate the timely reminder to view health issues holistically.
February 3, 2026
What a great read. I definitely enjoyed the more biographical chapters especially the very honest chapter on burnout but it was all thought provoking and well written.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews