Routine Miracles: Personal Journeys of Patients and Doctors Discovering the Powers of Modern Medicine

by Conrad Fischer MD

“This book covers medical advances that would once have been called miracles but have now become routine. The patients’ stories within this book yield hope, optimism, and triumph. This is the best time ever to come out of medical school and training.  This fact will inspire and uplift everyone in the medical profession as well as all of us who must, at some point, rely on the art of medicine to see us through.” —Conrad Fischer, MD

What has ruined today’s medical students’ interest in devoting their lives to finding cures for the most rampant diseases riddling our population? How can young doctors not be energized and excited by modern breakthroughs? Why are they not inspired by the ability of current AIDS drugs to increase life expectancy by twenty-five years?

In Routine Miracles, award-winning internist and medical educator Conrad Fischer investigates the disconnect between medical advances and the rise of physician dissatisfaction. Fischer surveyed more than 3,000 physicians and interviewed hundreds of patients to uncover the seeds of doctors’ discontent. Based upon his findings, he offers a deeply personal and compelling call to action for all of us, doctor and patient alike, to celebrate the present and the future of medicine.

Genres: Medicine, Medical, Nonfiction

352 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2009

Reviews

[Khulood Shkokani · Rating 5 out of 5]

هذا الكتاب كان بداية لعامي ٢٨، في اليوم الأول. ولن يكون هناك أفضل من هذه الهدية كبداية.
سيأخذك cornad إلى زوايا الطب الجميلة، التي تلاشت من ذاكرتنا أمام طاحونة ساعات العمل الطويلة، والبروقراطية المملة.وكلام الكثيرين بأن الطب يتجه للأسوء، وتغنيهم بالماضي العتيق.
لتعود موقنا بأنك اخترت الطب لأنه جميل، ولأنه شفاء، ولأنه يد حانية ملائكية تحيي أملا في نفوس من سقطوا في هاوية الأمراض الصعبة، ولأنه يتطور كل يوم، بسرعة هائلة أفضل مما سبق بكثير، كمعجزات نراها بأعيننا ونصنعها دائما، لكن الوقت حان لتسكن قلوبنا وأرواحنا.

هذا الكتاب ربما يجب ان يكون مقررا إلزاميا لكل من دخل مسار الطب. كحجر أساس في كل مكتبة، تعود إليه كلما داهمك سؤال: هل فعلا أن أستمتع بكوني طبيب، ولماذا؟!

[Lakshman Swamy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before reading Routine Miracles and seeing Dr. Fischer talk about the book, I believed in much of the negativism that it describes. As a medical student, I have heard from innumerable sources- all seasoned physicians- that "it was better to be in medicine 25 years ago." Reading this book truly opened my eyes about modern medicine- especially how much it has to offer to patients and to doctors alike, despite the miserable system we work in. I can't emphasize the worth of this book for anyone out there, especially medical students and others interested in health care today and tomorrow. Dr. Fischer's red-bull driven no-holds-barred approach to clearing the myths about what it means to be a doctor is invigorating and inspiring, a welcome reality check!

[Sara Dahaabović · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read only half of it. Got it as a gift from a friend in NYC and left it to another friend in Frankfurt <3

[Jake McKeegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that brightens the nexus of society, science, and philosophy. This book is not simply a call to action for those interested in discovery and advancement in medicine, but also to anyone and everyone who lives to make an improvement in the world and seeks a fresh reminder about the dedicated efforts that constantly fills the space around us. As a medical student, this was a home run hit for me. However, the message of this book applies just as much to high school student who is considering how his/her life is going to shape the future of society. To me, this book has the same effect of watching the first landing on the moon, or the fall of the Berlin Wall: A clear declaration of the awe in achievement; and a mandate for the human ingenuity, beauty, and passion to be applied towards its own improvement for all to benefit.

[Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's a fascinating read about miracles in medicine. It contains sample patient stories and their illnesses or conditions and the amazing things that medicine can do to treat them. It's an easy read and Fischer is a good story teller. You can tell he absolutely loves medicine and the doctor-patient relationship. He focuses on the good in medicine and what we are to be grateful for--something we tend to forget with the number of medical errors that occur, the long waits in the doctor's office, the problems with health insurance and more.

I highly recommend this book. I've given it to several friends as gifts.

[Jazz Kaur · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite genre to read is autobiography/ memoirs written by medical professionals. Dr. Fischer is known for his medical teachings, videos and textbooks but this novel has to be one of his best work. On amazon, Routine Miracles falls under the “physician & patient clinical medicine/ medical essays/ medical diagnosis” but it is a semi autobiography/memoir of the author, Dr. Conrad Fischer’s medical journey and humor, infused with medical history.
Routine miracles is an unique read, in the sense that it incorporates the author’s journey (an Infectious Disease Specialist) from acceptance to medical school, to residency & beyond while incorporating interviews with other medical specialists (like cardiologist, ophthalmologist, gastroenterologist etc) & their perspectives of advancement in their field of medicine. Every unique chapter makes you appreciate the developing world of medicine from latest equipment to more effective treatments in the developing health care world.
This book is great read for everyone including the general public & aspiring physicians because it will remind you how far medicine has actually developed over the years, how lucky you are as a Doctor to be living at a time to learn and apply this advanced medical knowledge to treat patients and/or how lucky you are as a patient to receive the best possible treatment for disease.

Highly recommend!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gets you excited about the things medicine has and will continue to accomplish. It also reminds you that doctors are fallible humans.

[Sintaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

New paradigm..new insight!