Residency: Blundering along with imposter syndrome

by John Lawrence

Playing Doctor: Part Two: Residency is a medical memoir full of laugh-out-loud tales, born from chaotic, disjointed, and frightening nights on hospital wards during John Lawrence’s medical training and time as a junior doctor. This candid autobiography will demystify medical education and inspire you. Equal parts heartfelt, self-deprecating humor, and irreverent storytelling, John takes us along for the ride as he tracks his transformation from uncertain, head injured, liberal-arts student to intern, resident and then medical doctor.

Genres: Medical, Memoir, Nonfiction, Medicine

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 27, 2021

About the author

John Lawrence was born in New York, grew up England, and attended Georgetown University where he told his career advisor that the only thing he did not want to be was a doctor. He subsequently survived medical school and residency training in Utah.

This is his first book, a candid memoir of transforming from an uncertain, head injured, liberal-arts student, into a medical doctor. The follow up books in the series cover residency training with both increasing responsibility and accompanying fear.

John was not the typical medical student, sneaking out of the hospital whilst on-call to audition for television shows in order to pay the rent; writing film scripts (one of which is available here on Amazon) and overcoming a nagging imposter syndrome.

John has been a river rafting guide, ski race coach, bagel baker, screenwriter, film director, expedition doctor climbing Kilimanjaro with his close friend, Olympic Hall of Fame athlete, Chris Waddell, (Chris is the first paraplegic to summit Kilimanjaro un-assisted).

John worked as a doctor for 20 years in both traditional western medicine and functional medicine. He enjoys biking, skiing, cooking and watching films with friends and family.

Reviews

[India M. Clamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story involves John being perhaps a victim of residency. In "Residency: Blundering along with imposter syndrome (Playing Doctor, #2)" was simply "hilarious." Feeling like a wet imposter coming into residency in how many students feel. In this second part, Dr. Lawrence brings a self-deprecating, sans-haughtiness, and fully humorous recant of his journey from medical school into residency.

"Ophthalmology, the treatment of the eyes, is one of the most competitive residency fields. Only super-smart, and super hard-working medical students become ophthalmologists."
---John Lawrence, MD

We can choose to look at residency a different way. John equates the hospital to a prison and his scrubs are prison issued garb as prerequisites to terror, disgust, vile body fluids and sleep deprivations surrounding his training. Given his behavior, many friends ask if pharmaceutical intervention was to blame. Given the humor of his recants, he was asked to write his stories down. Must read for those working in medicine or considering it as a career.

[Dun's]

This memoir is about the author's medical residency journey and the infamous US healthcare system. I didn't read the author's first memoir and found that it was okay to read this book on its own.

I've read quite a few medical memoirs, yet I don't quite know what to make of this book. It offers a lot of details, but I feel it's lacking meaningful insights to make it a memorable read.

Thank you for the e-ARC received through the Goodreads giveaway.

[Kathleen Garber · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Playing Doctor Part Two
December 8, 2021 by Kathleen · (Edit)
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A book review of Playing Doctor Part Two: Residency (Blundering Along with Imposter Syndrome)

A book review of Playing Doctor Part Two: Residency (Blundering Along with Imposter Syndrome)
Stars: ****

John Lawrence (2021)
Memoir
236 pages

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This post contains affiliate links.

Summary: Playing Doctor: Part Two: Residency is a medical memoir full of laugh-out-loud tales, born from chaotic, disjointed, and frightening nights on hospital wards during John Lawrence’s medical training and time as a junior doctor.

This candid autobiography will demystify medical education and inspire you. Equal parts heartfelt, self-deprecating humor, and irreverent storytelling, John takes us along for the ride as he tracks his transformation from uncertain, head injured, liberal-arts student to intern, resident and then medical doctor.

Playing Doctor
This is part two in a series that will eventually have more parts. I didn’t read Part One but I still enjoyed the book immensely. In fact it made me want to read Part One. So Book Two is about residency (think Grey’s Anatomy but real). Book One is about Medical School. Book Three (Summer 2022) will be about being Chief Resident.

If you ever wanted to know what it’s like to be in residency for a hospital, this book will show you the ups and downs. Follow the author as he moves from specialty to specialty learning a little about each. Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Radiology, Geriatrics, General Surgery, Pulmonology etc.

His writing style is humourous and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I even laughed out loud a few times. I guess you have to use humour to get through a hard residency program. The author certainly doesn’t pretend to be the best or anything. Far from it in fact as he admits his mistakes openly.

I am glad I got an early look at the book. I think his whole series will do well.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just okay. His self deprecating humor made for an easy read, but not once did I literally laugh out loud.

I think this book will hit home for some people, so I’ll say it’s not a bad book. It’s just not for me. People who love weird and gross medical stories will definitely enjoy it.

One thing I did find suspicious… he’s constantly talking about how terrible his memory is and yet is able to recall all of these details from many years before. Maybe he kept a detailed journal but when he was somehow working 30 hours a day, I find that hard to believe.

Two things I can guarantee though: this will make you not want to be a doctor nor a patient.

This is book 2 in a 3-book series. I did not read the first book and do not intend to read the third book.

I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway, and this is my honest review.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed Medical School, which was part one so I was excited to continue with part two. The author's sense of humor and self deprecating humor make this a fun book to read. He really tells the Residency experience well, as he did in Medical School. It's amazing what these doctors in training have to go through and a wonder that so many people accomplish the whole process without giving up entirely.
I'm looking forward to Part Three!

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

TITLE: Playing Doctor; Part Two: Residency: Blundering along with Imposter Syndrome
AUTHOR: John Lawrence
PUB DATE: 10.22.2021 Now Available

This second book is even better than the first with even more insightful stories of the residency training stage. The stories are all amazing; some heartbreaking, but always with heart and soul. I really enjoy reading this after a long shift at the hospital, and Lawrence’s writing invigorates me - gives me a new set of eyes, and a different perspective of my own lifelong career in medicine. I highly recommend this medical memoir series.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings.

It all started with my mentee wanting to be a doctor, me not knowing anything about the medical field, and the need to know the answers to the "day in the life of a doctor" type questions. Voila John Lawrence.

I was optimistic after reading his first book. But now after this one I am not sure I can recommend this "cool" career path for a teenager.

The whole tone of this book is more cynical and depressing than the first book, maybe that was intentional. The type of humor in this book is more directed toward others (like calling his chubby patient humpty dumpty) rather than toward himself. That, added to his frustration toward the administrative side of medicine (side note: I am surprised that the way hospitals are operating in America is considered legal and not violating some forms of human rights issues. Hello you are making your doctors run 36-48 hours as the norm, THEN giving them a pair of scissors to cut someone open? Ummmm) makes him come across as less down-to-earth as the way he was in book 1.

I learn more about all kinds of specialties, how doctors process deaths (especially the first patient they could not bring back to life or worse, accidentally kill. Spoiler one person actually accidentally killed a preborn child and the jokes could have been omitted from that chapter but that's just my personal view), clinic life, the drug-seeking "patients," the over-drugging epidemic, why I got weighed every time I went to the doctor, the bureaucracy of hospitals, the art of medicine, the business of medicine, the finance and money-grabbing of medicine, and so much more.

I think I came into this book hoping to experience something similar to the joyous whimsy of book 1, but it has a much heavier theme that does not blend as well with his humor.

Not sure if I want to read his final one. 3.5 rounded up.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Lawrence continues documenting his journey to becoming a doctor in Residency: Blundering along with imposter syndrome After his first part (which I also read) discussed his time in medical school, this tracks his first two of three years that he needs to complete his family practice residency. The bulk is about his first year- the internship, where baby doctors are thrown to the wolves and have a very steep learning curve. Even though his residency is considered less intense than many, it is still a struggle (the lack of money, sleep, time, etc). He discusses his time across many rotations such a high risk obstetrics, rural health, surgery, pediatrics, and radiology among others. One gets a good idea of what is required to get through residency. What strikes me about his particular experiences is he does not seem to really want to be a doctor. He comes from a liberal arts background before going to medical school and has a passion to write and act. He states multiple times throughout this book he planned to just finish his internship and then drop out. It just does not make sense to me, and also appears to engage in some pretty hazardous activities (which is a common thread across both books). It is still informational to read, but I cannot quite figure out what his passion is, as when he talks about his patients and healthcare, he does not seem to be all that happy and caring. Part 3 about being the chief resident will be the next volume.

Thank you to NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for honest review.

[Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a brilliant read. I just loved the authors humours style from the very start. It had me in stitches so many times. It was such a fascinating insight into what it is like for doctors learning and testing out there knowledge and new found skills. I haven't read the first book in his life but I didn't need to, to fully enjoy this brilliant book. You could easily read it as a standalone book. However the authors brilliant writing style you are going to want to read them all.
The author has obviously lived a brilliant life both in and out of the hospital and he gets this across with such ease through his words. The flow of the book was brilliant. This lead to me being engrossed in this book from the very start and I just had to read the whole book in one go. I just couldn't put this page turning autobiography down. I especially loved the story where one of his friends while out drinking fell and got a deep cut that the author was determined to sort out himself and everyone banned the author from going to the hospital with him. Also the time there was an accident while on holiday in Spain. They were just fantastic stories.
I really do recommend reading this very interesting and funny book to all those who really want to learn what it is really like to become a doctor. Also for all those fans of TV shows like ER. The third book will be out this month 25/8/22 and I am excited to read it. So keep your eyes peeled for that one.
Only the highest of praise goes out to the author and publishers for writing such a fascinating and highly entertaining insight into the lives of doctors in there residency year.

[RKreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for providing me with and ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I should start by saying that I did not read the first book in the series. You definitely don't have to in orcer to understand what is going on. The book starts at a "new chapter" of the authors life, internship/ residency and d he fills you in on any missing information from the medical school part of the story whenever its relevant.
This one was pretty middle of the road for me. I ended up skimming a lot because there were parts that felt like the same point was being made for way too long. I think the author can write in an entertaining and even in a lightly humorous way but nothing stood out to me as really funny or amusing.
I personally am at a stage in life that is similar to that of the residency that he was describing (in a completely different field) so I was very interested in hearing about that imposter syndrome kind of a feeling from the POV of someone doing something very different to me, but this book focuses a lot more on explaining the day to day life of a resident than anything else.
I think this book is great if you are really interested in knowing more about the process of becoming a doctor and what that day to day life actually feels like but might not be as enjoyable if you are looking for a laugh out loud kind of a take on that.
Overall the writing is good but could have probably benefitted from a bit more editing down.

[Nicola Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I haven’t read book 1, I enjoyed the warming introduction and the apology of tongue in cheek moments. But you should never have to apologise just be you. The intro has made me desperate to read the first book now and I’m already appreciating your tongue in cheek moments and laughing continuously.

I’m so glad I don’t live in America the financial costs of medical treatment is horrendous, this gave me such an insight into something I wouldn’t even think of thinking about. On top of all the questions doctors have to even consider asking to assess what could be medically wrong with a patient. I have gained so much respect for how much paperwork and graft doctors have to do. Especially the fact that they’re forever working.

I thought this was absolutely wonderful, unique, different and it’s one that definitely gives people an eye opener especially if they want to enter a career in med school. I loved the raw, real topics that emotionally touch you. You can tell how much heart doctors have especially when they can’t always cure a patient and have to see their life come to an end.

The humour throughout makes it witty and each chapter pop. I can’t wait to go back and read the first book. I hope there is more to come as I’m not ready to hear the end of this incredible humans journey. Never give up on the dreams you have nothing is impossible.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for a pre publication copy. In return for an honest review! #playingdoctorparttwo #netgalley

Dr John Lawrence gives us his medical memoirs of his time in residency training in the US. Taking us along with him from when he misdiagnosed a fatal condition on his friend right up to his chief year. Will he manage it?

I love a medical memoir so knew by the title j must read it. However with the fun, vibrant and comedic front cover I knew this would be a fun and not heavy read.

This book is an emotional read at times. Particularly when Dr Lawrence shows the socioeconomic hardships of medical care in the USA. As well as the jnequalities seen in some of his patients day to day lives. However I enjoyed these parts being included and it really showed the advantages of living in the UK. As well as the thoughts and fears that those struggling to pay jnsurance in the USA find themselves in.

I was worried because this is part two that I'd have missed a lot having not read part one. However Dr Lawrence includes a prologue to explain what came before. As well as further short explanations in text showing that this was covered in part one. This is a great addition to make it a stand alone read as well.

This book does exactly what it says on the tin. A fun, enjoyable and comedic read in parts.

[Julie Haigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another very good read-looking forward to the next in the series.

I've read the author's first book in the series. Starting this and glancing through the chapter titles, it looked like a great read, with plenty of variety-he's going to be working in lots of different medical specialties eg Obstetrics, Opthalmology, Family Practice, General Surgery, Radiology, Rural Medicine etc.

This follows on from Book 1, where he's just graduated from medical school. Now he's qualified, he needs to get the experiences as a doctor, through residency. This book covers that; residency in a variety of medical fields.

This was a very good, easy read, and I finished it in just a couple of days. Witty, poking a bit of fun at himself, a nice style. Good comedy- without being overdone or rude.

Glad to see there are more books to come, and I will be reading them.

[Thomas Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book number 2 of what appears to be at least a trilogy of the authors time going through medical school and residency. The first 70% of this book covers the author's first year in residency or may commonly known as an intern and covers usually what amounts a month at a time in various medical fields to give him a well round education to practice family medicine. This will cover various patients that he encountered and task or experiences that place in the medical field. Some of these stories are on the sad side but overall this is a good read and I definitely will be back for book number 3 along with wanting to find out if he continues to be a bad bike rider, how he continues to deal with the overwhelming hours and fatigue. Just a not you do not have to read the first book to read this one but in my opinion you get a better overall view of the author's story.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you #Netgalley for the advanced copy!

I had read Playing Doctor Part 1 and was excited to get an early copy of part 2. I love John's perspective and his honesty as he describes his experiences during residency. It is so interesting to learn about the different rotations, especially the hours and how they are treated. I don't know how these doctors survive on so little sleep! I love that John shares the highs and lows and how he got by during the difficult months. The variety of what they learn seems so overwhelming. I appreciate that he puts in the personal stories, from the difficult OB cases to the comatose patients in the ICU. Family practice touches so many patient populations. Can't wait for the next installment!

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this without realizing it was book 2. I downloaded book 2 and after finishing it, picked this one up.

I love books that give the inside look at different professions, especially when they can inject some humour into it to keep it from being too technical and boring. This was informative and fun, making it one of my favourite non-fiction books in a while. I also had no idea how hard it was to complete medical school and residency. I appreciate doctors that much more.

I hope he writes another book!

[Judy Leecraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good little book!

I enjoyed another book by Dr Lawrence. I actually laughed out loud several times. The guy is funny, but is a disaster, just like I am. I seem to catch every disease du jour and I fall and injure myself a lot. I managed to get through law school and years after with a modicum of seriously embarrassing episodes then ended up owning my own practice and being successful. So I identified with Dr Lawrence. Things just happened to John without his permission, causing all kinds of predicaments. And I wondered if the poor guy ever got any good sleep. The book is a great little read.

[Marjorie W · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honest review by a doc I'm not sure I'd want to be my doc

The organization explanations are great, as is the commentary on our VERY BROKEN US healthcare system. However the author's disdain for his patients peeks through at levels beyond what one expects of a physician. There's self deprecating and then there's disrespect and he skated a fine line which he falls over the edge like he does riding his bike...

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy books that take readers behind the scenes of interesting professions. The author describes his interesting work days in detail. I felt like I was a fly on the wall during his daily rounds at the hospital. I have to admit though, after reading, I'd be a bit nervous about a first year resident treating me at a teaching hospital! You'll have to read the book to see why. I recommend Playing Doctor: Part Two and look forward to part 3.

I am a library associate and received and advance copy from #NetGalley.

[mary jo johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

I so enjoyed every aspect of this book .... His writing, storytelling, and his ability to make me understand the various mysteries of this " doctor business" in a funny and understated way. Can't wait for the next one, and the next and the next!

[Lynda Hanna Sulenes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Humor and real life stories make for an entertaining read.

I'm in the medical profession so understood the humor. Good read for those willing to go inside the medical profession and accept physicians and nurses as being human.

[Paul King · Rating 2 out of 5]

Looking for something to write.

Lawrence's first book was engaging. In reading his second book it seems that need tools his interesting stories in his first book and thesewere second rate.

[Maryann Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting.

John takes you to work with him in this second book. I found it quite enjoyable. I worked in a hospital for 15 years and felt for John explained the different rotations nicely and why you don’t go to the clinic in June or July!

[Margaret Grandgenett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trip down memory lane!

Loved this! Medically retired a couple years ago from family medicine. I found this to be satisfying to revisit my years of training with these books! Can’t wait to read Chief Resident!

[Megan Doyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read.

This book covers John's residency. His unique humor makes his experiences even more interesting and readable than his year of Internship. Can't wait to start book #3!

[Tore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and enjoyable. Have read quite a lot of such books, and these do hold up well.

[Lori Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book as much as his first, eagerly awaiting his third book!

[Tiffany Holladay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part 2 of three books. I enjoyed this book just as much as I enjoyed the first. It was an easy read that had me laughing out loud multiple times.

[D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It continues. Hilarious. I may never read anything but dr., hospital, etc. If you prefer nonfiction. Read these. Honestly!

[Joyce Raisl Stilwell · Rating 3 out of 5]

An amusing and enlightening look at becoming a Doctot