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Running Behind: Narratives of 40 Years Practicing Medicine
Technological advances in medicine and the profit motive in medicine today have led to the devaluing and minimizing of quality face to face time with patients. This book illustrates the value of spending the amount of quality time needed to listen to the patient’s narrative which leads to better medical care in a more compassionate and trusting doctor-patient relationship. Hopefully young practitioners will see the value in approaching their patients this way and will experience a better relationship with the patients along with a decreased risk of burnout.
Running Narratives of 40 Years Practicing Internal Medicine shares patient narratives from the years the author spent as an internist practicing mainly primary care. It reveals his moment of epiphany that helped him to see his patients as human beings first, rather than as just as cases of diseases. Getting to know his patients well led to compassionate care with a bond between him and his patients that often resulted in a more accurate diagnosis, improved patient compliance, and helped engender trust. Just as importantly, Dr. Reed learned important life lessons that generated a great source of satisfaction in his own life.
Reader's
I really enjoyed reading this book! I found it so interesting! It held my attention from beginning to end. I loved how Dr. Reed's voice came through in all his memories of his patients. I enjoyed his humor, seriousness, and honesty throughout the book. Several times I found myself in tears as I read what patients and their families went through, but at the same time, the author was so encouraging about the medical profession for those just getting started. I feel like this would be a great required read for pre-med students. -Linda McRae
These accessible narratives are insightful, inspiring, and satisfying to read. -Kenneth Olive, MD MACP, Executive Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs, Professor of Internal Medicine, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University
Running Narratives of 40 Years Practicing Internal Medicine shares patient narratives from the years the author spent as an internist practicing mainly primary care. It reveals his moment of epiphany that helped him to see his patients as human beings first, rather than as just as cases of diseases. Getting to know his patients well led to compassionate care with a bond between him and his patients that often resulted in a more accurate diagnosis, improved patient compliance, and helped engender trust. Just as importantly, Dr. Reed learned important life lessons that generated a great source of satisfaction in his own life.
Reader's
I really enjoyed reading this book! I found it so interesting! It held my attention from beginning to end. I loved how Dr. Reed's voice came through in all his memories of his patients. I enjoyed his humor, seriousness, and honesty throughout the book. Several times I found myself in tears as I read what patients and their families went through, but at the same time, the author was so encouraging about the medical profession for those just getting started. I feel like this would be a great required read for pre-med students. -Linda McRae
These accessible narratives are insightful, inspiring, and satisfying to read. -Kenneth Olive, MD MACP, Executive Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs, Professor of Internal Medicine, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 24, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 22, 2021
Ok
It was ok but if involved way too much to do with faith and religion. Like saying that a doctor can’t be good if they don’t have faith and believe in god. He also seems to think that encouraging patients to attend church or to bring up religion is a part of being a good doctor. A belief in god has nothing to do with being a good, or great doctor(it also has nothing to do with being a bad or even mediocre doctor, for that matter.) I’d rather see an atheist doctor, who is willing to treat me than one who spends time trying to convince me to attend church (I’m mostly agnostic, I don’t know if god exists but I hope he/she does but whoever he/she is definitely isn’t found in organized religion), even if they are the greatest physician who ever walked the earth. I’ve met plenty of atheist, or agnostic doctors who are great doctors(and keep their beliefs, or their lack thereof, to themselves) but I also know plenty of doctors who are believers but who believe that religion is a personal matter that is none of their business and they keep their religion to themselves. Any of the doctors I mentioned are the type I would be willing to see, not one that brings religion or attending church into an exam.
It was ok but if involved way too much to do with faith and religion. Like saying that a doctor can’t be good if they don’t have faith and believe in god. He also seems to think that encouraging patients to attend church or to bring up religion is a part of being a good doctor. A belief in god has nothing to do with being a good, or great doctor(it also has nothing to do with being a bad or even mediocre doctor, for that matter.) I’d rather see an atheist doctor, who is willing to treat me than one who spends time trying to convince me to attend church (I’m mostly agnostic, I don’t know if god exists but I hope he/she does but whoever he/she is definitely isn’t found in organized religion), even if they are the greatest physician who ever walked the earth. I’ve met plenty of atheist, or agnostic doctors who are great doctors(and keep their beliefs, or their lack thereof, to themselves) but I also know plenty of doctors who are believers but who believe that religion is a personal matter that is none of their business and they keep their religion to themselves. Any of the doctors I mentioned are the type I would be willing to see, not one that brings religion or attending church into an exam.
July 25, 2020
My Doctor: Loved Him
Dr Reed was my doctor. Renee Smith was his nurse for many years. I loved them both. Dr Reed & I often discussed theology since I was a full time pastor. He was a great listener & was genuinely interested in me, my health & ministry. He was compassionate & thorough in getting to the bottom of any issues I had. On my first visit I sat in a crowded room of patients some of whom I overheard had been waiting 2 hours. I was sick with a virus, so, I went up to the nurse who signed us in & I let her know I would be leaving. As I was going out into the parking lot a man in a white coat called out, “Rev Lowe, I’m doctor Reed & those are not my patients. I don’t do that. Please come in & let me examine you.” He did & knowing I was so sick he offered to drive me home. He was my doctor around 30 years. Best doctor I have had. He was a wonderful Christian & a brilliant doctor. He took care of my mom as well. A great book. I need a signed copy someday. Mine is an E book. - Ron Lowe.
P
Dr Reed was my doctor. Renee Smith was his nurse for many years. I loved them both. Dr Reed & I often discussed theology since I was a full time pastor. He was a great listener & was genuinely interested in me, my health & ministry. He was compassionate & thorough in getting to the bottom of any issues I had. On my first visit I sat in a crowded room of patients some of whom I overheard had been waiting 2 hours. I was sick with a virus, so, I went up to the nurse who signed us in & I let her know I would be leaving. As I was going out into the parking lot a man in a white coat called out, “Rev Lowe, I’m doctor Reed & those are not my patients. I don’t do that. Please come in & let me examine you.” He did & knowing I was so sick he offered to drive me home. He was my doctor around 30 years. Best doctor I have had. He was a wonderful Christian & a brilliant doctor. He took care of my mom as well. A great book. I need a signed copy someday. Mine is an E book. - Ron Lowe.
P
August 1, 2020
Excellent reading. I have known Richard for years. We go to the same church.
He is a very kind, Christian man.
Reading this book, I could hear Richard talking.
He truly cares about his patients.
He is a very kind, Christian man.
Reading this book, I could hear Richard talking.
He truly cares about his patients.
August 22, 2020
Wonderful
I worked with Dr. Reed at IPMC for years, he was a wonderful physician. He had a connection with his patients. No matter where you saw him he spoke and asked how you were.
This book is a fitting testimony to his life as a physician.
I worked with Dr. Reed at IPMC for years, he was a wonderful physician. He had a connection with his patients. No matter where you saw him he spoke and asked how you were.
This book is a fitting testimony to his life as a physician.
January 21, 2021
Great book
Recommend book to anyone thinking about or in the medical field. Worked with Dr.Reed for years and as I was reading book in my mind could hear him talking and going about his practice.
Recommend book to anyone thinking about or in the medical field. Worked with Dr.Reed for years and as I was reading book in my mind could hear him talking and going about his practice.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews