Delivering Doctor Amelia: The Story of a Gifted Young Obstetrician's Error and the Psychologist Who Helped Her

by Dan Shapiro

In this probing, intensely personal memoir, the words “Physician, heal thyself” assume a fresh and moving urgency.

"Explores wth startling depth and immediacy the question of who shall heal the fallen physician." — Elle

“Voices are a soul’s signature,” says psychologist Dan Shapiro, who in his daily practice hears plenty of them. For all his expertise, he admits he’s still terrified that “someone will keep something from me, and when they tell me the truth, I’ll be useless.”

Treating other physicians has become one of Shapiro’s specialties. When the obstetrician Amelia Sorvino seeks his help—distraught that her own medical error could have injured a patient’s baby—Shapiro finds his talents as counselor and healer pushed to their limits. Session by session, he works to discover the sources of Amelia’s anguish—for his own sake as much as he’s familiar with the burden of a doctor’s guilt, and he has seen how loss and trauma, if unchecked, can echo from generation to generation in a family.

Genres: Nonfiction, Medicine, Medical, Memoir, Psychology, Biography, Mental Health

272 pages, Paperback

First published July 15, 2003

Reviews

[seattleamanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so I gave this book 5 stars because it was an easy read and really hit home when it came to talking about both the wonderful and scary sides of my job. I appreciated a book that finally talked about the ins and outs of working on an OB unit (new nurses, reading FHR strips, exhaustion, personal connections to our patients, optimism, to trust or not to trust our gut feelings, the disconnect after the patient goes home that comes after this connection which is usually one of the happiest times in ones life).

However, I probably read it at the wrong time. Work has been so busy lately that we (myself and my colleagues) leave in the morning feeling like no-body was satisfied (the nurses, the doctors, the patients, the management...no-body). After a night full of not-so-funny jokes like "well, we can car-pool to court", reading this book hit a little too close to home. I even know a couple OB doc's that refuse to read the book. When I thought about that, I completely understood. In this practice we don't want to do defensive medicine where we worry that each action could get us in trouble. But at the same time we don't want to be overly optimistic when an intervention needs to be made (even if you know that it not what the patient would want, like a c-section).

I am glad I read this book but I'm ready to move on to other things that aren't so intertwined with my life. Sometimes I have to remind myself why I really do love my job...but this book is a very real representation of why there are occasions when I wish I did something that didn't involve the health of another human being.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This thoughtful work of narrative nonfiction reads so easily that I finished it in one long evening, and yet the subject is anything but light. The author, who teaches clinical psychiatry at the University of Arizona, specializes in physician self-care and physician-patient relationships. This book is the story of his work with one talented young doctor who made a single mistake at the end of one very long, sleep-deprived night and the ramifications of that mistake on her health, her life, and her very humanity.

I genuinely appreciated the soul-deep honesty of this book, especially the author's honesty regarding his own feelings. (If you think your therapist is not sometimes wrestling with his own demons, think again.) My heart ached for every person involved -- the doctor, the mother, the child, their families -- and I felt angry at the impersonal, even inhumane, legal system that quickly circled the wagons once that dreaded word "malpractice" had been invoked. (The author has some excellent ideas for reworking the system that would allow patients to be fairly compensated when mistakes occur, good doctors to be retained without being traumatized, and bad doctors and practices to be weeded out more quickly once identified. If you are in a position to make a positive difference in this regard, PLEASE read this book.)

This book is a beautifully written account of a difficult event in a doctor's life and a thoughtful look into both the worlds of physical medicine and mental health care. It is also a story of what caring people need to heal and forgive (something unlikely to be recommended by your legal team). I hope Shapiro continues to write; I definitely plan to read more of his work.

[Audrey Marcusen McMacken · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reread. Lots of feelings this time through. So many familiar names, places, and descriptions (the call room right off triage on 8th floor, Java City coffee in the cafeteria, Beyond Bread). And so many familiar feelings. The unfortunate adage in medicine, especially ObGyn, that it isn't if but when you'll have a malpractice case rings true. Still glad to have reread. And a less tough read than I anticipated. Even with some coincidental timing.

Also, I wonder if a fetal monitoring strip like described wouldn't get many second looks with 8/9 apgars and a baby without issues. Beyond "it's good we did a cesarean"



Read during OBGYN residency at U of Az where it's written.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading this book and haven't fully absorbed it yet, but... wow. This had me glued from the beginning. I empathized with Amelia quite a bit. Honestly, after reading this, I'm not sure that I could ever sue a doctor for malpractice. But then, I've never been an injured patient.

[Bhadra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book, and for a lot of reasons. It is extremely well-written, like a really gripping novel, so much so that I had to hide it before I went to bed so that I wouldn't be tempted to start reading again if I woke up in the middle of the night. It shows the author, the therapist, as a regular human being, who has to struggle with his own feelings as he struggles to feel empathy and provide help to the young obstetrician and does not always succeed. It shows the young obstetrician finally beginning to understand herself and make positive changes as a result. I love happy endings, and this book provides one, in an entirely believable way. I was interested to see that this therapist does not belong to the quiet school, who believes the therapist's main job is to reflect the patient's feelings and help her to understand them better. Towards the end of the book, the therapist finds himself thinking of this patient as he goes about the business of other parts of his life. At one point he makes what I would have considered an outrageous suggestion about something she might do to help herself to recover. She does it, and this turns out to be one of the pivotal points in her finally forgiving herself for her serious mistake. The book is not only good -- it also DOES good!

[Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan Shapiro is a gifted storyteller, which is a high compliment. He did a wonderful job of seamlessly swinging back and forth between Amelia's voice and his own thoughts. It was fascinating to experience his conflicted perspective as he struggled to be the detached professional--do no harm--while constantly fighting back his appalled and judgmental parent-self.

I learned so much about what medical and mental healthcare professionals go through--how challenging it can be to caring and empathetic, but not to the point of losing oneself in patients' problems. (I doubt if I could do it.) A noble goal that these same professionals don't always achieve. Some become cold, mechanical, while others, paralyzed by what they cannot do or undo, become less than their best, playing it safe or worse--leaving the healthcare professions entirely, either alive or sometimes dead by suicide. It seems that this happens more often than one would think--or hope.

So that's where Dan Shapiro comes in--trying to help doubting healthcare professionals back to their former confident selves, with both cost and benefit to himself. A remarkable man and a remarkable book.

[Yuki H · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend, Dr. Diana, lent me this book.

We want doctors to be superhuman who knows everything about one's health problem and exactly how to treat with full confidence, but this book tells us that they are only human, just like anyone else. Psychologists have their own issues in their lives and naturally it might affect a session with their patients. it is very true that we want doctors to be caring, empathetic and an expert in the field, but like Shapiro and Amelia showed in this book, some doctors put their human sides away and become a "treating machine." But they are human. I really hope the system focuses on providing physicians a proper mental care....I am thinking of this pandemic....And how Shapiro "delivered Dr Amelia," an outstanding doctor like her should be saved from a traumatic event and should be able to get back on her feet and continue to provide a remarkable care to us, and for her own goal as a doctor.

[Denise Chojnacki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dan Shapiro is a gifted psychologist who is also a cancer survivor, husband and dad. All of this rolled up together help make him a powerful weapon is helping Amelia Sorvino overcome a mistake made while practicing obstetrics. This trauma inducing event put her in a hole in which she could not dig out. As the layers get uncovered, she discovers other issues that have driven her to that place of despair. The story is a journey of healing that two doctors take together to come to a very uplifting ending.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah as an obstetrician, this hits somewhat close to home. While I haven’t had the experience that Amelia has had, I certainly can easily out myself in those shoes. I read this as part of a book club, but even prior, was recommended to read it when I was struggling with my place in the doctor world a few a years ago. It is well written, interesting to hear both points of view - the psychologist’s and doctor’s.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the end, I liked this book. It was interesting to process with the patient how she dealt with a difficult outcome. I did find the middle part painful as she devolved into self-destructive behavior. I had to put it down for a while. Interesting to work through as a physician, though.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Applicable to anyone with any struggle.

[A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Penny Schild · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since I am not in the meds cal field, I lost interest in it. It would be good for someone studying psychology.

[Krissy T · Rating 4 out of 5]

To err is human

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subject matter of this book is so intriguing, I chose to forgive the first hand narrative during the therapy sessions (no one says phrases like 'mouth agape' in a conversation). Even though Shapiro did not capture Amelia's speaking voice, he did capture her secrecy and her desperation.

Amelia felt like a fraud. Shapiro let on that he has his doubts when treating her also - he also second guesses his decisions. I took away from this book the reminder that nothing happens in a vacuum. When dealing with others, not just doctors, we need to be mindful that they have their own struggles that effect their decisions.

And it was fun that Shapiro goes to the fertility doctor that worked with Giuliana and Bill.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an aspiring midwife and/or obstetrician I was particularly attracted to this book. I picked it up for $4.95 at a used bookstore over six months ago and hadn't touched it since. The Sunday before last, I had some free time and scoured my bookshelves for something new to read. I am so glad I picked this book. I gobbled it up in a couple of days and it consistently stayed with me away from the page which I consider a remarkable achievement for a written work.

Both characters, Dr. Amelia Sorvino and Dr. Dan Shapiro, are engaging, honest, and raw. I enjoyed the flow of the text and the story had me captivated. For personal reasons I found the subject matter particularly relevant and interesting.

Great read, would recommend.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a cancer survivor, this author writes about his experiences as a therapist working with a young doctor who has made a tragic error in caring for one of her patients.

Shapiro's struggle to understand his patient, a gynecologist, in light of his own medical ordeal is one of patience and ultimate connection between therapist and client. This book helps the reader to understand the process of therapy and the magic that can happen as two people forge an intimate connection.

What I ultimately learned from this book is that we are all human beings with frailties and with hope for forgiveness in light of our mistakes.

[Julie Whelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book spellbinding. Amelia is an obstetrician who is being sued for malpractice. Her story is told from the point of view of her therapist who specializes in treating physicians and is also a cancer survivor and a parent. The despair and trauma that leads Amelia to the brink of suicide, hospitalization, and eventual recovery is vividly portrayed. I also appreciated hearing the therapist's point of view as the psychotherapeutic process unfolds. The author writes with great honesty and sensitivity.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it interesting and powerful to read about the impact on a physician after a bad outcome from a delivery. I think, as a culture, we need to talk more about health care provider errors and enable them to talk to their patients more about them so that care can improve, the providers can heal and learn from the errors, and patients can get the validation they need to move forward and heal emotionally.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, I was disappointed in the story and the characters. I found both Dan and Amelia to be less than believable. I felt the character of Dan was very one dimensional, frequently unable to see past his own issues to act as a professional. Amelia seemed shallow and immature. I had high hopes for this story, but they were never reached.

[Trudy Jaskela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author is a psychologist in Tucson. Patient is an obstetrician in Tucson.
Bok is a case study of an obstetrician who didn't deliver a baby soon enough. The obstetrician was tired and didn't notice the heart decelerations. The baby developed cerebral palsy.
The patient (obstetrician) became suicidal. The book is about her turmoil and treatment.
Book much more interesting than I anticipated.

[Robbie Bashore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this. Dan Shapiro is refreshingly honest about his own inner processes as he documents the journey of an obstetrician who really could be almost any woman in medicine. I liked Mom's Marijuana better, but this certainly kept me thinking and turning pages.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've run into this spate of good books lately! Yay! I really enjoyed everything about this book: the author/therapist, the obstetrician/patient, the weaving of both of their issues and lives, the subject matter (therapy, healing, birth), the hopeful ending. Recommended.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

He also wrote Mom's Marijuana about his experience surviving lymphoma and 2 bone marrow transplants. He'll be in Dallas at the Leukemia Lymphoma Society's seminar on February 28th. I can't wait. He's very entertaining. He reminds me of Oliver Sacks.

[Jeanette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A disappointment after his prior book. Maybe the lack of humor. Maybe the fact that I didn't find Dr. Amelia to be as interesting as Dan Shapiro. I will, however, be looking forward to his next book.

[Kimberly Simpson]

"It was a revelation. That loss and trauma pass down trough families like batons in relays, one to the next and then the next. And I wondered what it would be like to intercept that baton. Stop the runners.".... how he describes his decision to become a Psychologist at a young age.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. Makes you really understand that ALL people are human and mistakes can be made by anybody. I enjoyed the Doctor story along with the authors life in the book also. Good read.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

My background is in CBT and the author seems to have a psychodynamic slant. I wouldn't have treated Amelia in the same way as he did, but it was still a really interesting read. It felt good to read a book about a therapist's experience giving therapy.

[Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not knowing anything about psychology I found this reasonably interesting - I read it for a class about law and literature. Now I have to write a paper about it :(

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like a novel, although it is nonfiction. Follows an obstetrician and her psychologist through treatment after an error. both of their lives are used in the story. Well done.