Prognosis: Fair: A Trauma Case Study for Clinicians

by Frances Southwick

"Prognosis: Fair, A Trauma Case Study for Clinicians" is a hybrid memoir-academic text about trauma. This book serves as a learning tool for those who care for traumatized people. The underlying message is that psychology and neurology are two sides of one coin, the brain. People who have suffered traumatic brain injury, whether via physical injury or psychological trauma, display similar neuropsychological syndromes.

Dr. Southwick is a family physician. "Prognosis: Fair" is their personal story crafted as a case study, prefaced, and interfaced with academic information about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

By interweaving research, non-graphic narrative, journal entries, a music playlist, and more, the book provides novel insights into traumatic memory integration.

The appendices are trauma-informed learning and clinical tools designed for clinicians to use with their clients.

Genres: Science

219 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 3, 2021

About the author

​Dr. Southwick is an osteopathic family physician and nonfiction writer practicing family medicine with interest in osteopathic manipulative medicine, trauma, and substance use disorders in California's central valley.

By sharing their experiences, Dr. Southwick offers validation, hope and peace to those in similar circumstances.

Reviews

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book in 2 days because I couldn't put it down. It is powerful and vulnerable and educational. Also very unique with the accompanying music playlist!

I immediately recommended it to several physician friends but even as a non-physician I still found it to be engaging and informative.

[Jason Rosenstock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Passionate retelling of a physician's personal trauma experience and recovery, with lessons for individuals and providers. Certainly courageous of the author to share her story, but this narrative was obviously part of her healing process, and readers benefit as well. A short read, with well-documented stats and medical observations, as well as appendices of useful forms/strategies for providers. Worth a read!

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be incredibly written, thoughtful and educational.

I loved it and think it is a wonderful tool for clinicians, patients and folks interested in trauma-informed care.

I especially appreciated: the playlist (!!), the care with editing that was clearly taken and the gentle depiction of painful events- I felt it was extremely protective of the reader. Thank you, Frances, for a superb book and for your work.

[Angela Stephan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came to me during a time when I really needed it personally. There are so many interesting, tragic, and sadly relatable components of this case and I just really want to thank Dr. Southwick for putting their story out there. I couldn’t put this book down, and when I did put it down I found myself thinking about it. As a person it helps me with what I am going through but I also am a medical professional and it will definitely help me in my interactions with patients who have experienced trauma and loved ones. I read every footnote! Very good read.

[Denisele]

I don't feel like I could rate this book, as I'm not a clinician. I won it in a Goodreads giveaway. I thought the appendices at the end were great - I want a doctor who gives my kids and me letters like that! I skimmed over some of the clinical or medical pieces that were out of my league, but found the rest of it well written and easy to follow. As someone who has been fortunate to not have experienced severe trauma, I think this was helpful to understand how my language or natural reactions need to change to be more supportive.