You What?!: Humorous Stories, Cautionary Tales, and Unexpected Insights About A Career in Medicine

by John Chase

“…a light-hearted look at the profession that’s narrated through anecdotes, recollections, and nostalgic stories from Dr. Chase’s career… You What?!” adds an entertaining, delightful flavor into its mix of medical conundrums and educational insights.” - D. Donovan, Sr Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

The end of residency isn’t the utopia you might have imagined. You know what to do with the medical stuff, but what about navigating private practice, unfamiliar hospitals and…. patients!

In this collection of absurd moments, practical advice and humorous tales from the medical trenches, Dr. John Chase shares stories from his 40 years as an Orthopaedic surgeon and offers insight into how to be successful, have fun and take care of patients without missing out on what really matters in life. The perfect, entertaining, and quick book for medical students, those in the medical field and people who want an insight into the humorous side of how doctors think.

“As informative as it is entertaining, “You What?!” does an incredible job of capturing life as a surgeon as it really is. While those with a passive interest in medicine will very much enjoy it, those interested in a medical career should add it to their list of professional “Must Reads”. - Elizabeth Hultgren. OB/GYN. M.D./PhD

"...valuable information for residents, fellows and young physicians." -Dempsey Springfield MD, Retired Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery

'...priceless wisdom to those coming along." Robert Young MD

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Medicine

232 pages, Paperback

Published December 4, 2020

About the author

John Chase is a retired Orthopaedic surgeon who has now released his 2nd book, "Searching for John DeWitt". He and his family found 80 letters his Grandfather wrote home to his family when he was a runner in the trenches in WW1. He used those letters with extensive research to craft a book of narrative non fiction around those letters.
Along with the narrative around those letters this book is also the story of Dr Chase trying to find out more about his grandfather besides the the old man he knew as a teenager.
Says John "Here I am, an old man, getting to know a very nice young man through his letters-who just happens to be my grandfather!"
I have a trip planned soon to visit the places wher my grandfather fought and ran the trenches in WW1




Reviews

[Bev · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose this book because of the title. It was described as "...a light-hearted look at the profession that's narrated through anecdotes, recollections, and nostalgic stories from Dr. Chase's career... You What?!" adds an entertaining, delightful flavor into its mix of medical conundrums and educational insights." Dr. Chase is an orthopedist, now retired, who explains he wanted to let young doctors coming into the field know what to expect. In that regard, he does quite well, but there is little, if anything, humorous about his stories. The stories he sets up as humorous are mildly amusing, but definitely not "humorous." Having worked in medical offices for many years, I found it interesting but, in all honesty, boring. Even the cartoons aren't particularly funny.

[Kade Gulluscio · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like my "read" list is becoming overpowered with medical reads lately, which I"m compltely okay with. I absolutely love these types of books. I could never work in the medical field myself, but hearing these heartwarming and comical patient stories always intrigue me.

I will say that I wish the book contained MORE medical stories and less personal stories about his life, but It is his book after all.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a retired RN who worked on an orthopaedic floor years ago, I really enjoyed You What? The way it is worded, it is written mostly with medical students in mind, but anyone will enjoy the stories. It has advice for doctors from starting practice to seeing patients to surgery.

So many doctors have a poor bedside manner, and I’d never thought about why, but the reason for that is in this book: doctors spend so much time studying that they don’t have time to go to social events, so they don’t develop social skills.

You What? is divided into three parts. This first part is titled “Your Practice,” and it contains a lot of funny patient stories, good advice for doctors but some that is good for anyone, and sweet stories about patients.

One thing that tickled me was the crazy things people say they’re allergic to including “everything.” Or the patient who left because they didn’t want to be weighed. I always complain when they weigh me but walk out? I never even considered that!

A lot of the advice given for doctors is good advice for everyone. For example, I’m a big proponent of smiling. It can not only make a doctor’s visit better, but it can also make any interaction better. Having to wear masks has made me aware of how much I smile at others and how much I miss bringing a smile to others’ faces just with a smile.

The second part is titled “Your Rewards,” and it’s obvious that Dr. Chase appreciates the connections he made with others, especially the good friends he made because of his practice. There are many other benefits he has listed, but the one that touched me was a mission trip that he went on. He met a boy there whose life was transformed because of the doctor taking an interest in his case.

The last section is titled “Your Life” and is mostly for those going into the medical field. Again, a lot of the advice is good for anyone. He talks about a parenting fail when he took his young daughter to a Sugar Ray concert. I felt, however, that it ended up being a parenting success because he made them leave after the first song.

According to Dr. Chase:

“The secret to having a great life (inside or outside of medicine) is to remember to do three things:

1. Be conscientious and responsible. Take good care of your patients.

2. Treat people decently. Take good care of people, most especially your family.

3. Enjoy yourself along the way. Take good care of yourself.

Do the things that will make you a success based on your own criteria, not somebody else’s.”

Perfect advice!

[Diane Ewing · Rating 4 out of 5]

plan to study medicine?

Dr. Chase presents the plus and minus aspects of medicine. I liked to read these items; I had once thought about going to medical school; I reconfirmed while reading this book that I made the right decision. And I am very appreciative of the men and women I have seen for my health checkups, my ailments (minor and sometimes major), the birth and care of three children.

I read with interest about what the doctor wants to know about a new patient; the characteristics he notices that would make for a difficult association with a patient while treating that person through surgery, follow ups, physical therapy. An interesting dynamic when the doctor senses that the patient wants surgery to “fix it” but is not willing to follow the instruction for therapy and the progress is dismissed by lack of cooperation from the patient.

Sprinkled in are the funny stories, the sad tales, and the descriptions of the patients, the nurses, the physical therapists, the physician assistants and the many staff the interact with doctors and patients.

If you are interested in going into medicine, read this book. It’s worth your time.

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I am not a doctor, I found these stories interesting and humorous. It was also quite revealing that Dr. Chase often referred to female doctors as having superior people skills. Since all those years of medical school do very little to "teach" people skills, or "business" skills, young doctors are often facing many challenges not covered in all those years of hitting the books and the labs. The real world presents plenty of problems. In my opinion, he is also correct in admitting that if a doctor listens to a patient even for 60 seconds, the patient will be much happier.
The audiobook made this particularly funny as you got the intonations of some of the outrageous statements. you what???

[Cathy Mansavage · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

Although I have never worked in the medical field, it has always interested me. Since my daughter has had a below the knee amputation and an ankle reconstruction, I am familiar with some orthopedic procedures and Doctors. I have had a double mastectomy in the past year and I feel my surgeon could have written a similar book. I did learn some things about surgical decisions and I am thinking about doctors many years ago who did it all, from surgery to the common cold. God bless them all and I am so glad to have them when we need them.

[Hari Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting life of a Bone surgeon

As an Orthopaedic surgeon myself, I loved John's honest portrayal of life. Any medical student with ambitions of becoming a bone surgeon should read this book, as it puts things into perspective. He emphasises the need to get one's priorities right to achieve the correct work-life balance and enjoy what you do at the same time. The simplicity of narration with minimal medical jargon and spiced with orthopaedic humour will appeal to readers from every walk of life. I would recommend this book to anyone who has a bone in his body.

[Chrystal Roe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

I really enjoyed reading this book. It helped me remember that doctors, believe it or not, are people just like everybody else. They have ups and downs, like and dislikes just like the rest of us. Some days everything goes smoothly and other days they have to deal with all kinds of craziness. This was a fun way to get a little insight into the mystery of medical practice.

[Thomas M. Cahill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative and insightful.

Years ago I worked in the orthopedic field as a surgery technician and then part time in an Orthopedic surgeon’s private office. I was very fortunate to have been involved in the very early stages of total hip and total knee surgeries. I find Dr Chase’s comments and insights to be spot on.

[Margaret · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was looking forward to this book, but I found the author disparaging of overweight people and women, particularly elderly women. Despite writing about being humble, he comes across as pretty darn arrogant. Also, the writing style is elementary and boring. Not much was actually humorous. Overall I don’t recommend this book.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this more than I did. I thought it was MOST humorous stories and craziness of patients, with some cautionary tales and insights sprinkled in. No, other way around. It's mostly for med students who are starting their internships or those that are thinking of a medical career, with a few wacky stories sprinkled in.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

Incredibly enjoyable read and glimpse into the lives of doctors and surgeons - and specifically one doctor/surgeon. Packed with general life tips, advice for residents, humorous stories and things to watch out for, this quick read is really informative and compelling.

[marisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

was really enjoying this until the author randomly decided to attack the #MeToo movement???!??! in a book about orthopaedic surgery?!!?!!?! man fuck you and fuck your dead mom and fuck your repetitive ass book

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on the medical field.

[Cris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books has some very honest stories about his career and life. So honest that he shares about when he operated on the wrong knee! Some stories are funny, some are serious, such as is life.

[Roberta Wall · Rating 1 out of 5]

An easy read but not very humorous. More of a tutorial for an ortho interested med student

[Alexis Lupo]

Dull. So drawn out and boring.

[Anisha B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good advice. Some problematic. Not very humorous

[Saud · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book with appreciated advice and insight.
Not humorous, though.

[Connie Curtis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not what I expected, but it is a good book for people who are considering the medical profession.

[Mark A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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