Good Medicine: The Art of Ethical Care in Canada

by Philip Hebert

Award-winning physician Philip C. Hébert creates a brave and intimate portrait of the complex ethical imperatives at the heart of good doctors do not have all the answers; patients must be heard; and their needs, desires, fears, and experiences must be reflected in how practitioners look after them.

Medical science continues to advance to previously unimagined heights in its diagnostic and treatment capabilities. With these advances, however, come unexpected ethical dilemmas for practitioners, patients, and families. In Good Medicine , Dr. Hébert approaches these questions of pressing and fundamental importance from the dual point of view of acclaimed physician and long-time patient. With remarkable balance and sensitivity, he explores a range of politically, constitutionally, and ethically contentious matters, including assisted suicide, treatment refusal and suspension, and the overall allocation of medical resources. Hébert pairs his artful analysis with the real-life, often deeply moving stories of those who have lived these challenges. Hébert offers piercing and compassionate insight into the relationship between patients and medical professionals, and guides readers towards the open and empathetic communication needed to ensure good medicine for everyone.

Genres: Nonfiction, Medicine

208 pages, Hardcover

First published April 19, 2016

Reviews

[farmwifetwo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not certain what the point was to this book. It was a number of vignettes - a number from the news so I recognized those and the majority from Ontario - that I think were suppose to show the good and bad of care in Canada, the rules, how one was to be ethical but it just never tied it all together well.

Interesting - yes. Readable - yes. But needed a better plan to get the authors point across to his readers.

[Lindsay Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick and overall enjoyable read.

I was a bit disappointed that Dr. Hebert omitted some fairly important publicly-available facts from at least one of the medical ethics cases he described (i.e. a case he used to discuss patient autonomy - 11 y.o Mikayla Sault). Perhaps it was simply an oversight, but my impression was that he was trying to position the case in a certain way. His discussion of other cases described in the public domain somehow felt a lot more balanced and more thoughtful of different points of view.

Dr. Hebert is at his best in this book when he is discussing his own personal experiences as a physician and a patient confronting ethical dilemmas, and how these experiences have shaped his life and practice. Enjoyed this.

[Mae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up a copy based on a friend's recommendation, and I will be lending it to another friend. I enjoyed it, especially as Dr. Hébert's experiences "gives us an insider's look at the challenges Canada's physicians face" (quote Wanda Morris). From the summary, I agree that "[with] remarkable balance and sensitivity, he explores a range of politically, constitutionally, and ethically contentious matters" and that "Dr. Hébert approaches these questions of pressing and fundamental importance from the dual point of view of acclaimed physician and long-time patient". The style strikes me as part memoir, especially when he talks about his own experiences. It's well-written and soothing in tone, and again I quote the summary "[Dr. Hébert] pairs his artful analysis with the real-life, often deeply moving stories of those who have lived these challenges". I must admit, I did tear-up at certain parts that hit close to home, but well, it's composed of "[stories] of letting go and holding on for patients and the physicians who treat them". Ain't that the truth?

I haven't finished Doing Right: A Practical Guide to Ethics for Medical Trainees and Physicians yet, which literally is "A practical guide to ethics for medical trainees and physicians". Definitely a different style because it's meant for educative and academic purposes compared to Good Medicine: The Art of Ethical Care in Canada. Again, I would say that this book is part memoir, and it was nice reading about the patients that left an impression in the Doctor's life. The general aim seemed to be an address of the ethical dilemmas faced in Canadian health, and it highlights experiences from both physicians and patients - all of which contributed to the progression of proper care, or "simply good medicine".

[N · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone else mentioned, I'm not entirely sure what the point of this book was or for whom it was written (I assume it is for lay people and not those practicing medicine or related fields?). But it was thought-provoking because I have not have not had much experience in these matters and am not in medicine.

Most of the cases deal with end-of-life decisions, which are important, but some more balance to ethics in other regards would be valuable.

The main takeaways I got were that doctors need to be empathetic, that they need to ask questions and have conversations with patients, even if they are difficult, and that questions about end-of-life, dying, and suffering need to be addressed with patients early, before it's too late.

[Caitlin R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book for three reasons: medicine, personal and patient stories, AND it's Canadian!! I find with most medical books, they tend to be written by Americans (or physicians practicing in America), so it was refreshing to have something from here for once! I found the stories very interesting, as well as the authors personal experiences in the healthcare system (as a physician, ethicist and patient).

[Bilal Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read! Hebert pulls on the heartstrings while discussing ethically conflicted stories, and incorporating his own illness. I couldn't stop reading this! A must-read for anyone considering healthcare as a profession.

[Heather Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book on ethics that has personal and public examples from the Canadian medical system. Thought provoking and well told. Demonstrated the changing expectations for both doctors and patients through the years, and rightly so.

[Mimi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 ⭐️ A really good quick read on ethics in Canadian medicine!

[Callie Hirsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

med interview prep
good book lots of short stories and engaging

[Joanne Mcleod · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book on the importance of the "art", as well as the science, in providing "Good Medicine". Dr. Hebert gives reliable and heartfelt testament to this not only as a physician but from his perspective as a patient with two chronic and debilitating diseases -chronic severe back pain and Parkinson's disease. A worthy story advising us to make our own personal wishes known early as to what constitutes our own "good medicine" and quality of life.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a long time health care provider, I could relate to many of the stories. The questions he raises are ones we all need to deal with. For me, the key one is Just bEcause we can, should we?

[Misha Volokontsev · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting this to be significantly dryer than it was. Instead, it was an incredibly engaging collection of patient’s stories illustrating what’s ultimately at the core of “good medicine”, empathy.