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The Doctor Will See You Now: The highs and lows of my life as an NHS GP
SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
60 hours a week
240 patients
10 minutes to make a diagnosis
Welcome to the surgery.
Charting his 15 years working as a GP, from rookie to becoming a partner in one of the UK's busiest surgeries, Dr Amir Khan's stories are as much about community and care as they are about blood tests and bodily fluids.
Along the way, he introduces us to the patients that have taught him about love, loss and family - from the regulars to the rarities - giving him the most unbelievable highs and crushing lows, and often in just 10 minutes. There is the unsuspecting pregnant woman about to give birth at the surgery; the man offering to drop his trousers and take a urine sample there and then; the family who needs support through bereavement, the vulnerable child who will need continuing care for a long-term health condition; and, of course, the onset of COVID-19 that tested the surgery at every twist and turn. But, it's all in a day's work for Amir.
The Doctor Will See You Now is a powerful story of hope, love and compassion, but it's also a rare insider account of what really goes on behind those surgery doors.
60 hours a week
240 patients
10 minutes to make a diagnosis
Welcome to the surgery.
Charting his 15 years working as a GP, from rookie to becoming a partner in one of the UK's busiest surgeries, Dr Amir Khan's stories are as much about community and care as they are about blood tests and bodily fluids.
Along the way, he introduces us to the patients that have taught him about love, loss and family - from the regulars to the rarities - giving him the most unbelievable highs and crushing lows, and often in just 10 minutes. There is the unsuspecting pregnant woman about to give birth at the surgery; the man offering to drop his trousers and take a urine sample there and then; the family who needs support through bereavement, the vulnerable child who will need continuing care for a long-term health condition; and, of course, the onset of COVID-19 that tested the surgery at every twist and turn. But, it's all in a day's work for Amir.
The Doctor Will See You Now is a powerful story of hope, love and compassion, but it's also a rare insider account of what really goes on behind those surgery doors.
288 pages, ebook
First published August 20, 2020
157 people are currently reading
2443 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 273 reviews
July 28, 2020
Author, Dr Amir Khan first came to the attention of the British public, in a TV series entitled ‘GP’s Behind Closed Doors’, which followed a typical day in the lives of hard working GP’s in a busy NHS inner city practice. Dr Khan was popular with both patients and staff due to his kind, caring, charismatic and humorous personality. In his memoir, he lets us see how a busy inner city practice provides both opportunities, and huge challenges at the same time, whilst regaling us with some of the patients and medical cases that have arrived in his consulting room.
I really loved this memoir, it was told in a down to earth manner, and, though utterly heartbreaking at times, (and I’m not embarrassed to say that I shed more than a few tears) it also had its share of laughter and joy, and how very timely that the publication of this memoir, arrives in the year that Covid-19 has turned the world upside down. Dr Khan allows us to see his vulnerable side when he comes face to face with his first Covid-19 patients, admitting that he was terrified. The NHS has its limitations, with services being seriously stretched, but it is still an incredible organisation, and my undying thanks go to all those dedicated key workers, who look after us on a daily basis, but especially in this time of crisis when they’re giving their all, and then some! You’re all wonderful, as is this memoir!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Ebury Publishing for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review*
I really loved this memoir, it was told in a down to earth manner, and, though utterly heartbreaking at times, (and I’m not embarrassed to say that I shed more than a few tears) it also had its share of laughter and joy, and how very timely that the publication of this memoir, arrives in the year that Covid-19 has turned the world upside down. Dr Khan allows us to see his vulnerable side when he comes face to face with his first Covid-19 patients, admitting that he was terrified. The NHS has its limitations, with services being seriously stretched, but it is still an incredible organisation, and my undying thanks go to all those dedicated key workers, who look after us on a daily basis, but especially in this time of crisis when they’re giving their all, and then some! You’re all wonderful, as is this memoir!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Ebury Publishing for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review*
Currently reading
June 17, 2022Dr Amir is on a tv show I occasionally dl. I haven't lived in the UK in decades and it seems to have changed a lot. I'm wondering if the book will explain why the 'typical' GP surgery he works in is almost all Asian doctors with some old and/or poor black or white patients. The nurses are black or white, but not Asian though, and no one, except the doctors is middle class. Don't they get sick and go to their local GPs? The receptionists, black and white, seem very nice though.
When I was in the UK, the surgery had about five doctors, one was Asian, one was black and the receptionists were dragons who used to ask you why you had come to the surgery and then repeat it loudly so everyone could hear. (Better entertainment than the five year old Woman's Own magazines). 'Christopher, how long have your piles been bleeding for? Is this just when you use the toilet or do you find your underpants are stained'. (That one was genuine and unforgettable as it was a friend of mine before we set sail for the Canaries). That was their idea of triage since they didn't stick to appointments.
It got worse in the Canaries. Chris had to go to a Spanish doctor as his piles were bleeding all the time and we were about to sail across the Atlantic. The doctor didn't speak any English, but there was a patient who could, so the doctor left the surgery door open and would shout out the questions very loudly and the patient sitting in the waiting room would shout back the translation equally loudly. This might have been mightly entertaining for the waiting patients, but was horrifyingly humiliating for Chris whose bent-over bare ass could be seen by all.
The treatment was some pills and sitting on a bucket full of ice for a week. Unfortunately the fridge stopped working after three days so there was no more ice for Chris or martinis (illegal we weren't allowed to drink on board but the skipper went to bed at 9.30 pm). Chris had a hard time that voyage. He was an engineeer so you might think he was clever but...
At night when you are on night watch and sailing, you don't sail by the compass but fix on a star and keep your course to that, occasionally you might/might not check the compass to be sure you were on course. Chris spent four hours steering by the moon. The moon moves. Took three days to beat against the winds to get back on course ...
I'm looking forward to reading this book, I've just read the introduction. I like doctor stories. 'All human life is here'.
When I was in the UK, the surgery had about five doctors, one was Asian, one was black and the receptionists were dragons who used to ask you why you had come to the surgery and then repeat it loudly so everyone could hear. (Better entertainment than the five year old Woman's Own magazines). 'Christopher, how long have your piles been bleeding for? Is this just when you use the toilet or do you find your underpants are stained'. (That one was genuine and unforgettable as it was a friend of mine before we set sail for the Canaries). That was their idea of triage since they didn't stick to appointments.
It got worse in the Canaries. Chris had to go to a Spanish doctor as his piles were bleeding all the time and we were about to sail across the Atlantic. The doctor didn't speak any English, but there was a patient who could, so the doctor left the surgery door open and would shout out the questions very loudly and the patient sitting in the waiting room would shout back the translation equally loudly. This might have been mightly entertaining for the waiting patients, but was horrifyingly humiliating for Chris whose bent-over bare ass could be seen by all.
The treatment was some pills and sitting on a bucket full of ice for a week. Unfortunately the fridge stopped working after three days so there was no more ice for Chris or martinis (illegal we weren't allowed to drink on board but the skipper went to bed at 9.30 pm). Chris had a hard time that voyage. He was an engineeer so you might think he was clever but...
At night when you are on night watch and sailing, you don't sail by the compass but fix on a star and keep your course to that, occasionally you might/might not check the compass to be sure you were on course. Chris spent four hours steering by the moon. The moon moves. Took three days to beat against the winds to get back on course ...
I'm looking forward to reading this book, I've just read the introduction. I like doctor stories. 'All human life is here'.
August 6, 2020
If you have ever been curious about the life of a modern diverse inner city NHS GP in Britain today, then I would recommend you read this stellar memoir from Dr Amir Khan. When I was reading this I did not realise he was already famous, having appeared on TV and has a huge following. This is so well written and so easy to read, he relates experiences and anecdotes from his 15 years as a GP, a profession which is a vocation rather than a job, which is just as well because the nature of his role has changed drastically through the years. When he began it was an attractive profession, this is no longer so, you have to achieve the impossible in the 10 minutes allocated to each patient, where appointments are hard to come by, in a NHS facing unprecedented pressures. There is the fear of complaints, rising levels of paperwork, long hours, tight budget constraints, burnout, an ageing population leading to increasingly complex medical issues and the requirement for changing ways of delivering a service in the era of Covid 19 and lockdown. Now the NHS struggles to recruit GPs, and many are quitting, like Amir's friend, Daniel.
There is no such thing as a normal day for a GP, Amir relates with humour and wit, the medical issues and the lives of his patients, an emotional roller coaster of a ride that touches on both the highs and lows, from having difficult conversations, delivering the worst of news, the death and grief over losing patients he has got to know so well through the years to the relief when, against all the odds, things work out, as when a young girl whose life had comprised of continually being in and out of hospitals, gets a life saving heart transplant in time. Some of what happens makes the mind boggle as when a stranger in a garden centre pulls his trousers down in public, with Amir forced to diagnose his groin rash and the remedy, there are fears when a patient is seen with a hammer, and patients who bring their cats in with them for their appointments, triggering an allergic reaction in a trainee GP. Amongst the pus, blood, and bodily fluids that are the norm, there is domestic violence, alzheimer's dementia, STDs, and so much more in a practice serving a impoverished and deprived local community.
Given the stresses and pressures, its a wonder that Amir has not been ground down, but he manages to still love his job, thanks to the odd lights at the end of the darkest of tunnels, when what he does makes a life changing difference and where there is the occasional miraculous outcome. I was seriously disturbed as I read about the terrifying abuse GPs and NHS have to handle, and the threats and intimidation when Amir refuses to give a unwarranted sick note to a aggressive patient. This is a great memoir, utterly compulsive, it made me laugh and cry, and so informative, and I must admit I wished Dr Khan was my GP! Highly recommended. Many thanks to Random House Ebury for an ARC.
There is no such thing as a normal day for a GP, Amir relates with humour and wit, the medical issues and the lives of his patients, an emotional roller coaster of a ride that touches on both the highs and lows, from having difficult conversations, delivering the worst of news, the death and grief over losing patients he has got to know so well through the years to the relief when, against all the odds, things work out, as when a young girl whose life had comprised of continually being in and out of hospitals, gets a life saving heart transplant in time. Some of what happens makes the mind boggle as when a stranger in a garden centre pulls his trousers down in public, with Amir forced to diagnose his groin rash and the remedy, there are fears when a patient is seen with a hammer, and patients who bring their cats in with them for their appointments, triggering an allergic reaction in a trainee GP. Amongst the pus, blood, and bodily fluids that are the norm, there is domestic violence, alzheimer's dementia, STDs, and so much more in a practice serving a impoverished and deprived local community.
Given the stresses and pressures, its a wonder that Amir has not been ground down, but he manages to still love his job, thanks to the odd lights at the end of the darkest of tunnels, when what he does makes a life changing difference and where there is the occasional miraculous outcome. I was seriously disturbed as I read about the terrifying abuse GPs and NHS have to handle, and the threats and intimidation when Amir refuses to give a unwarranted sick note to a aggressive patient. This is a great memoir, utterly compulsive, it made me laugh and cry, and so informative, and I must admit I wished Dr Khan was my GP! Highly recommended. Many thanks to Random House Ebury for an ARC.
November 25, 2021
3.5 stars
I always find books on the NHS fascinating as we don’t have a system like this in South Africa.
We do have state funded hospitals (where no one wants to end up) and private hospitals paid by those with private medical aids. I had a chat with a friend who moved to the UK about 5 years ago and he expressed his frustrations at the waiting times to see a doctor at the NHS.
The author describes the highs (great patients, thank you letters and funny anecdotes) and lows (verbal abuse, long hours, underfunding) of his time as an NHS doctor.
A lovely addition to the medical memoir genre and had I not read so many other similar books about the daily struggles of being a doctor, I may have rated this higher.
I always find books on the NHS fascinating as we don’t have a system like this in South Africa.
We do have state funded hospitals (where no one wants to end up) and private hospitals paid by those with private medical aids. I had a chat with a friend who moved to the UK about 5 years ago and he expressed his frustrations at the waiting times to see a doctor at the NHS.
The author describes the highs (great patients, thank you letters and funny anecdotes) and lows (verbal abuse, long hours, underfunding) of his time as an NHS doctor.
A lovely addition to the medical memoir genre and had I not read so many other similar books about the daily struggles of being a doctor, I may have rated this higher.
December 28, 2020
Ah, so I’m a fan of the TV programme ‘GP’s behind closed doors’ which has been airing on Channel 5 for a few years.
Each year features a new practice, and last year we were introduced to the very lovely Dr Amir Khan.
From the very beginning he came across as being popular with the patients and staff alike, astute, thorough and very likeable.
When I was recommended this new book written by him, I couldn’t wait to read it.
It didn’t disappoint.
This book is honest, well written, and a little sad at times, but most definitely worth a read.
A 4 star debut ⭐️
Each year features a new practice, and last year we were introduced to the very lovely Dr Amir Khan.
From the very beginning he came across as being popular with the patients and staff alike, astute, thorough and very likeable.
When I was recommended this new book written by him, I couldn’t wait to read it.
It didn’t disappoint.
This book is honest, well written, and a little sad at times, but most definitely worth a read.
A 4 star debut ⭐️
February 28, 2021
Interesting and timely memoir that gives a glimpse into the life of a qualified GP and the NHS.
November 1, 2021
Another fantastic medical memoir!
This is probably one of my favourite medical memoirs which I've read to date.
This book really takes you on a rollercoaster of the highs and lows of being a GP.
I cried and I laughed reading this book. Some of the stories highlighted in this book were absolutely heart breaking while others were so funny. There were also plenty of heart warming moments too.
Amir also discusses how GPS and the NHS coped during the COVID-19 pandemic. These accounts were really eye opening and heart breaking.
I'm sure Amir had help writing this book, but the writing style was really engaging and easy to read.
Overall, this was a fantastic read and I would love to read more of Amir Khan's stories from being a GP
TW: violence, death, domestic violence and mental illness
This is probably one of my favourite medical memoirs which I've read to date.
This book really takes you on a rollercoaster of the highs and lows of being a GP.
I cried and I laughed reading this book. Some of the stories highlighted in this book were absolutely heart breaking while others were so funny. There were also plenty of heart warming moments too.
Amir also discusses how GPS and the NHS coped during the COVID-19 pandemic. These accounts were really eye opening and heart breaking.
I'm sure Amir had help writing this book, but the writing style was really engaging and easy to read.
Overall, this was a fantastic read and I would love to read more of Amir Khan's stories from being a GP
TW: violence, death, domestic violence and mental illness
February 10, 2022
Entertaining enough, but have read more engaging books about the same theme. The stories weren’t that memorable and will easily be forgotten. Would also loved to hear more about how his work affected him, and more about the pandemic.
October 16, 2021
Really fab insight into life as GP.
March 15, 2021
Dr Amir Khan is something of a junior National Treasure and a beautiful communicator from what I have seen on Twitter. I read this book with his Yorkshire Asian accent in my head.
It's a straightforward, workaday focussed memoir... we don't hear very much about his working class inner city upbringing, or his medical education... and hardly anything about his strategies for wellbeing, his running, his love of nature, his garden, his cooking and the famously demanding Mama Khan doesn't get much of a look in. He also continues to quietly protect his personal privacy. He does give a hint of explanation for why he, and perhaps other doctors, seem to take on so many extra roles (despite the constant theme of long working hours in all medical memoirs)... again as a coping strategy around the basic GP role. He doesn't give much detail about the administrative work (but doesn't complain about it a great deal either), although I thought he showed how easy it is to lose time, not just on being patient with people and giving them the space to tell the story they need to tell, but how long it takes them to peel off their layers, how long he might have to stand in the rain waiting to be let into a nursing home which has called him out. I particularly enjoyed his mixture of dismay... a patient producing a urine sample in the consulting room in front of him instead of leaving the room and going to the toilet... and delight, because it saves him 5 minutes on his list when he is running behind.
I also felt he gave a more realistic picture than many medical memoirs. The harsh reality is that stories which involve the superficial, brief contacts which mostly occur will not make for a bestseller... apart from the humorous or the 'look what we have to put up with'... but those cosy long term relationships the readers lap up are the exception.
There were a few oddities that jarred. The mocking of a fellow South Asian background young woman's pronunciation and lack of examination of highly relevant definitions of 'virginity' and 'sexual activity', the choice of an Eastern European name for the violent man (and a hint at similar for the separate domestic abuse situation... but, I think no other sorts of patient), the suggestion that a death rattle causes distress to the dying person themselves (the opposite of what palliative care doctors are falling over themselves to tell us), and his judgmental rudeness (and medical ignorance) towards a child... who was then rude back (the profanity of the child was not OK, the sentiment frankly spot on)
There is a slightly odd false vibe which arises from the whole confidentiality protecting metric of 'I'm not describing an actual patient here', by no means specific to his memoir. But he's chosen what to put in here, what he wants to highlight about his working life.
There's a chapter on the Covid experience, providing a different and much needed perspective from primary care.
It's not as 'entertaining' a memoir as Adam Kay but nor do you get the feeling that Amir Khan is in the wrong job.
It's a straightforward, workaday focussed memoir... we don't hear very much about his working class inner city upbringing, or his medical education... and hardly anything about his strategies for wellbeing, his running, his love of nature, his garden, his cooking and the famously demanding Mama Khan doesn't get much of a look in. He also continues to quietly protect his personal privacy. He does give a hint of explanation for why he, and perhaps other doctors, seem to take on so many extra roles (despite the constant theme of long working hours in all medical memoirs)... again as a coping strategy around the basic GP role. He doesn't give much detail about the administrative work (but doesn't complain about it a great deal either), although I thought he showed how easy it is to lose time, not just on being patient with people and giving them the space to tell the story they need to tell, but how long it takes them to peel off their layers, how long he might have to stand in the rain waiting to be let into a nursing home which has called him out. I particularly enjoyed his mixture of dismay... a patient producing a urine sample in the consulting room in front of him instead of leaving the room and going to the toilet... and delight, because it saves him 5 minutes on his list when he is running behind.
I also felt he gave a more realistic picture than many medical memoirs. The harsh reality is that stories which involve the superficial, brief contacts which mostly occur will not make for a bestseller... apart from the humorous or the 'look what we have to put up with'... but those cosy long term relationships the readers lap up are the exception.
There were a few oddities that jarred. The mocking of a fellow South Asian background young woman's pronunciation and lack of examination of highly relevant definitions of 'virginity' and 'sexual activity', the choice of an Eastern European name for the violent man (and a hint at similar for the separate domestic abuse situation... but, I think no other sorts of patient), the suggestion that a death rattle causes distress to the dying person themselves (the opposite of what palliative care doctors are falling over themselves to tell us), and his judgmental rudeness (and medical ignorance) towards a child... who was then rude back (the profanity of the child was not OK, the sentiment frankly spot on)
There is a slightly odd false vibe which arises from the whole confidentiality protecting metric of 'I'm not describing an actual patient here', by no means specific to his memoir. But he's chosen what to put in here, what he wants to highlight about his working life.
There's a chapter on the Covid experience, providing a different and much needed perspective from primary care.
It's not as 'entertaining' a memoir as Adam Kay but nor do you get the feeling that Amir Khan is in the wrong job.
August 31, 2020
TW: Medical Trauma, COVID, scenes of a distressing nature, loss of loved ones, illness of children.
4 stars
I have watched the TV show GPs Behind Closed Doors for years and my all time favourite GP has to be Dr Amir Khan. He is extremely clever, confident and knowledgeable, very kind and caring whilst also being genuine and down to earth. When I saw that he was releasing a book I jumped at the chance to read it and for the most part, it lived up to expectations.
The start of the book was the part that let me down. In my opinion it was too repetitive and needed a decent amount of editing. However, as I got into the book and heard the voice and stories of my favourite TV GP, I found it a very enjoyable and interesting read.
This book is an interesting look behind the scenes of a busy GP surgery in Bradford and looks into specific cases as well as the general set up and indeed failings of the NHS. What Amir Khan does so well is bring personality by the bucket loads. If you have seen him on the TV show you can't help but love his upbeat demeanor but this book shows that no one is immune to tough situations and trauma. There are some upsetting stories and scenes which were delicately told and given the respect they deserve. There are also a few awkward moments which shows that no person or indeed GP is perfect.
The final part of the book looks into the current COVID crisis. It was an interesting viewpoint that many people wouldn't think about or see. It was interesting and well written.
Overall I really enjoyed the book and although it wasn't filled with as much depth as I was expecting, I still really enjoyed the read.
4 stars
I have watched the TV show GPs Behind Closed Doors for years and my all time favourite GP has to be Dr Amir Khan. He is extremely clever, confident and knowledgeable, very kind and caring whilst also being genuine and down to earth. When I saw that he was releasing a book I jumped at the chance to read it and for the most part, it lived up to expectations.
The start of the book was the part that let me down. In my opinion it was too repetitive and needed a decent amount of editing. However, as I got into the book and heard the voice and stories of my favourite TV GP, I found it a very enjoyable and interesting read.
This book is an interesting look behind the scenes of a busy GP surgery in Bradford and looks into specific cases as well as the general set up and indeed failings of the NHS. What Amir Khan does so well is bring personality by the bucket loads. If you have seen him on the TV show you can't help but love his upbeat demeanor but this book shows that no one is immune to tough situations and trauma. There are some upsetting stories and scenes which were delicately told and given the respect they deserve. There are also a few awkward moments which shows that no person or indeed GP is perfect.
The final part of the book looks into the current COVID crisis. It was an interesting viewpoint that many people wouldn't think about or see. It was interesting and well written.
Overall I really enjoyed the book and although it wasn't filled with as much depth as I was expecting, I still really enjoyed the read.
August 17, 2020
This book is another in the trend of doctor’s memoirs of the careers, this one from a GP rather than the perspective of a hospital doctor. If you enjoy medical memoirs, you will probably enjoy this. It’s got some moving and funny anecdotes, plus the mandatory defence of the NHS. It’s an easy read with fairly short chapters. You could read it one or two sittings and Dr Khan is clearly a very likeable guy. The last chapter could use a little more editing- it was clearly turned around quite quickly as it addresses the Covid crisis and there are a few repeated phrases and a slightly haphazard structure here. It’s a decent read but maybe not as moving as When Breath Becomes Air or as funny as This Is Going to Hurt.
April 20, 2022
Standard professional biography. It does annoy me a little when people who write these books complain how busy they are!!
Dr Khan has time to write a book, be on Lorraine and worse seen him pop up on a pop show about 80’s music.
Just saying
Dr Khan has time to write a book, be on Lorraine and worse seen him pop up on a pop show about 80’s music.
Just saying
October 4, 2021
Fascinating insight into life as a GP in our dwindling NHS.
April 3, 2023
#BorrowBox
#audiobook
#read23in2023
#23in23
A book about a person or event
A book written by an English author
Dewey
610.92
920 KHA
A book that is funny, sad, up to date, interesting all rolled into one. A really enjoyable book.
It covers two of the categories for the read 23 in 23 reading challenge.😃
#audiobook
#read23in2023
#23in23
A book about a person or event
A book written by an English author
Dewey
610.92
920 KHA
A book that is funny, sad, up to date, interesting all rolled into one. A really enjoyable book.
It covers two of the categories for the read 23 in 23 reading challenge.😃
August 8, 2025
back to my roots, devouring medical books
October 17, 2021
Really easy to read. Very insightful into what it's like to be a GP.
Didn't realise he was on GPs behind closed doors before I read it!
Didn't realise he was on GPs behind closed doors before I read it!
August 16, 2022
I loved this memoir.
Dr. Khan shares what it's like being a GP - from the highs and lows of general practice and everything in between. His anecdotes made me laugh and cry, and ultimately showed that patient relationships are at the heart of being as GP. Despite the unrealistic expectation of maintaining 10 minute appointments and the never ending amount of paperwork, the relationships developed over years is what makes general practice worth it. It left me feeling inspired to become a family doc.
"I may only get 10 minutes with a person, and often that is not nearly enough, but I can make it count. I can listen, empathise and help the individual who has come to see me. So, it may be an overworked and undervalued line of work, but all of these encounters have led to some of the most heartwarming and heartbreaking stories in my life, and that makes it one of the best jobs in the world."
Dr. Khan shares what it's like being a GP - from the highs and lows of general practice and everything in between. His anecdotes made me laugh and cry, and ultimately showed that patient relationships are at the heart of being as GP. Despite the unrealistic expectation of maintaining 10 minute appointments and the never ending amount of paperwork, the relationships developed over years is what makes general practice worth it. It left me feeling inspired to become a family doc.
"I may only get 10 minutes with a person, and often that is not nearly enough, but I can make it count. I can listen, empathise and help the individual who has come to see me. So, it may be an overworked and undervalued line of work, but all of these encounters have led to some of the most heartwarming and heartbreaking stories in my life, and that makes it one of the best jobs in the world."
October 5, 2020
WOW 😮 where do I begin with this book ! I’m not a lover of biographies as a whole but after watching GP behind closed doors and following Dr Khan on Twitter, I was really interested to find out more! I read this book in one sitting as I just couldn’t put it down! It was an emotional rollercoaster of a read , having me laughing out loud one minute and tearful the next. It’s so well written giving a real insight into the day to day trials of a GP and the struggles they have to endure. It shows that not only is Dr Khan a kind and caring man but a real credit to his profession. I really can not rate this book highly enough.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House publishing for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House publishing for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
April 12, 2021
Very enjoyable read and a great insight into the stresses and rewards as working as a GP. Dr Khan comes across as a fantastic, caring, doctor and he brings a little humour to his medical stories too. In the las few chapters he talks about the early days of the pandemic and that was particularly interesting (and sad, in terms of how it affected his patients in care homes), especially as I had a nosey at his social media profiles and he is now distributing vaccines - feels almost "full circle", though of course we're not out of the woods yet.
March 5, 2021
This book explains the ups and downs of being a GP. I knew GPs worked hard but this really illustrates the difficulties they face every day. Amir Khan comes across as a brilliant doctor. I give this book 3 and a half stars.
January 2, 2021
Really enjoyed this book - what a lovely bloke. Honest about the issues in general practice. I enjoy the TV series and you can hear his voice as you are reading.
June 7, 2022
Anyone familiar with Dr Amir Khan from GPs Behind Closed Doors will know him for his friendly, ditzy demeanour, his patience and kindness with patients (especially children), his double act with partner-in-crime Debbie (called 'Alison' in the book) and his propensity for dressing up in costumes to help out the surgery's health educator (a banana, a camel, and a Mexican wrestler to date). He throws himself into various aspects of his work with great enthusiasm, and on social media he posts regularly about his love of animals, his garden, his nephews and nieces, food, dancing and, of course, the formidable Mama Khan!
This book relates Dr Khan's experiences as a GP in an inner-city Bradford surgery, describing the highs and lows of dealing with a wide range of patients both in the surgery and on home visits. Some of the cases are, inevitably, heartbreaking; others are very touching. However, others are straight out of a Carry On film. There's Mr Butler, who comes in with a hammer concealed up his sleeve, and the comic capers involved in 'surreptitiously' attempting to uncover it (the hammer was to secure his horse and cart). Or there's the GP trainee who turns out to have a severe allergy when it's discovered that one patient has two cats hidden in her child's buggy. There are also darker moments, such as the story of Emily, and the patient who threatens Dr Khan and demands a letter to get him out of attending court the following day.
The last two chapters deal with the arrival of the coronavirus and its effects upon the surgery and the local community; reading these take the reader straight back to those days in early 2020, when it felt as though we'd all woken up in a nightmare.
There are a few typos and missing words, but that's my only real complaint. Dr Khan has a light, easy style of writing and introduces the reader to a whole range of patients and their conditions, literally from cradle to grave, although obviously these are all composites. This is an enjoyable book, and a very quick read.
This book relates Dr Khan's experiences as a GP in an inner-city Bradford surgery, describing the highs and lows of dealing with a wide range of patients both in the surgery and on home visits. Some of the cases are, inevitably, heartbreaking; others are very touching. However, others are straight out of a Carry On film. There's Mr Butler, who comes in with a hammer concealed up his sleeve, and the comic capers involved in 'surreptitiously' attempting to uncover it (the hammer was to secure his horse and cart). Or there's the GP trainee who turns out to have a severe allergy when it's discovered that one patient has two cats hidden in her child's buggy. There are also darker moments, such as the story of Emily, and the patient who threatens Dr Khan and demands a letter to get him out of attending court the following day.
The last two chapters deal with the arrival of the coronavirus and its effects upon the surgery and the local community; reading these take the reader straight back to those days in early 2020, when it felt as though we'd all woken up in a nightmare.
There are a few typos and missing words, but that's my only real complaint. Dr Khan has a light, easy style of writing and introduces the reader to a whole range of patients and their conditions, literally from cradle to grave, although obviously these are all composites. This is an enjoyable book, and a very quick read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK and Ebury Publishing for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Doctor Will See You Now is such an incredibly interesting piece of nonfiction. I had to sit down and read this book all in one, as I just couldn't put this book down. Amir Khan is so honest and I just absolutely loved all of the tales he has to tell. I laughed and I cried whilst reading this book. I felt all of the emotions. This book gives a real insight into how hard general practitioners and nurses work in the national health service, despite being underfunded and overworked and I think it's absolutely a must read book.
The Doctor Will See You Now is such an incredibly interesting piece of nonfiction. I had to sit down and read this book all in one, as I just couldn't put this book down. Amir Khan is so honest and I just absolutely loved all of the tales he has to tell. I laughed and I cried whilst reading this book. I felt all of the emotions. This book gives a real insight into how hard general practitioners and nurses work in the national health service, despite being underfunded and overworked and I think it's absolutely a must read book.
October 11, 2021
Khan is a GP in an inner city surgery. He has to deal with an array of patients with an array of complaints, all to be solved in ten minutes. Here he tells of some of the joy and heartbreak that his job brings. Khan comes across as a caring and compassionate doctor who tries to do his best by his patients. Definitely the kind of GP we all hope for.
September 10, 2024
This book was very moving. I loved the continual nature of the stories he shared, and you really get to know the patients he discusses, wishing them all good health. His writing style is brilliant, direct, not wishy-washy. It really conveys the life of the modern-day GP, with a less robotic element to it. Wants the reader to extend NHS staff patience, and that is not only clear but also fair. At points I was moved to tears. He doesn't speak a lot about his personal life, which I think is fair, but I would LOVE to know more about Dr. Amir Khan, and the bits where he speaks about his mother are very entertaining! I want everyone to read this book.
September 27, 2020
A fascinating insight into a day to day life of a modern GP. It’s an easy read, which consists of a variety of stories, some poignant and the others sad, but all full of compassion and understanding, and real people. I wish all GPs were like Dr Amir Khan.
June 12, 2021
This book was a real insight into the life of an NHS GP and helped me realise that life is tough for them.
Yes it is difficult to get appointments but like Dr Khan I think most GPS want the best for their patients and go above and beyond.
This book has various cases, some happy and some sad as well as some funny stories about patients, mishaps and misunderstandings.
Finally it broke my heart to read about patients at the end of life and how Dr Khan cared for them to ensure they had a dignified death.
Would highly recommend.
Yes it is difficult to get appointments but like Dr Khan I think most GPS want the best for their patients and go above and beyond.
This book has various cases, some happy and some sad as well as some funny stories about patients, mishaps and misunderstandings.
Finally it broke my heart to read about patients at the end of life and how Dr Khan cared for them to ensure they had a dignified death.
Would highly recommend.
January 10, 2023
جيد
لكنه مكتوب بلغة جافة نوعاً ما و أقرب إلى الرسمية وتبدو شخصية الدكتور الجادة في ثنايا وصفه لبعض ما واجهه في عمله كممارس عام
مزاجي ينسجم اكثر مع كتابات الاطباء أصحاب الفكاهة والشخصيات القلقة و اسلوب الكوميديا السوداء
لكنه مكتوب بلغة جافة نوعاً ما و أقرب إلى الرسمية وتبدو شخصية الدكتور الجادة في ثنايا وصفه لبعض ما واجهه في عمله كممارس عام
مزاجي ينسجم اكثر مع كتابات الاطباء أصحاب الفكاهة والشخصيات القلقة و اسلوب الكوميديا السوداء
October 24, 2023
One of my favourite genres of book at the moment. I have nothing but admiration for most NHS workers. I have to say his surgery seems to have far more of a human touch than most I have experienced! It was fascinating learning about his work and thoughts, and the short section about Covid-19 at the end is the first I’ve really read about it from a medic’s point of view.
I look forward to reading his new novel as it relates to an area I work in.
I look forward to reading his new novel as it relates to an area I work in.
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