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The Patient Doctor: How one man's cancer diagnosis led to a quest to put the heart back into healthcare
At the age of twenty-eight, with his Beijing-based science communications business doing well and a new relationship blossoming, Ben Bravery woke from a colonoscopy to be told he had stage 3 colorectal cancer.
As a scientist, Ben understood the seriousness of his condition. Cancer had quite literally whacked him in the guts, after all. But what he didn't expect was how being a patient, and a young one at that, would make him feel. Why hadn't he been better prepared for the embarrassment and vulnerability of lying naked on the radiation table? Why wasn't he warned about the sheer number of tubes he would discover coming out of his body after surgery? Why did it feel like an imposition to ask doctors about his pain on their ward rounds? And why did he have to repeat the same information to them over and over again? During eighteen long months of treatment, including aggressive chemotherapy, Ben felt scared, overwhelmed, sometimes invisible and often alone.
As he recovered, it struck Ben that after everything he'd been through he couldn't go back to his former career. He needed a change - and he wanted to make change. He wanted to become a doctor. He passed the entrance exam and dived headfirst into the challenges of medical school - including an unrelenting timetable, terrifying ward rounds and the difficulty of maintaining compassion under pressure.
Now, driven by his experience on both sides of the healthcare system, this patient-turned-doctor gives a no-holds-barred account of how he overcame the trauma of his illness to study medicine and shares what he believes student doctors, doctors, patients and their families need to do to ensure that the medical system puts the patient at the very heart of healthcare every day.
Honest, powerful, eye-opening and sometimes heart-wrenchingly funny, this is an inspiring memoir that shows that no matter our situation we all need to be treated with care and compassion, right until the very end.
As a scientist, Ben understood the seriousness of his condition. Cancer had quite literally whacked him in the guts, after all. But what he didn't expect was how being a patient, and a young one at that, would make him feel. Why hadn't he been better prepared for the embarrassment and vulnerability of lying naked on the radiation table? Why wasn't he warned about the sheer number of tubes he would discover coming out of his body after surgery? Why did it feel like an imposition to ask doctors about his pain on their ward rounds? And why did he have to repeat the same information to them over and over again? During eighteen long months of treatment, including aggressive chemotherapy, Ben felt scared, overwhelmed, sometimes invisible and often alone.
As he recovered, it struck Ben that after everything he'd been through he couldn't go back to his former career. He needed a change - and he wanted to make change. He wanted to become a doctor. He passed the entrance exam and dived headfirst into the challenges of medical school - including an unrelenting timetable, terrifying ward rounds and the difficulty of maintaining compassion under pressure.
Now, driven by his experience on both sides of the healthcare system, this patient-turned-doctor gives a no-holds-barred account of how he overcame the trauma of his illness to study medicine and shares what he believes student doctors, doctors, patients and their families need to do to ensure that the medical system puts the patient at the very heart of healthcare every day.
Honest, powerful, eye-opening and sometimes heart-wrenchingly funny, this is an inspiring memoir that shows that no matter our situation we all need to be treated with care and compassion, right until the very end.
352 pages, Paperback
Published October 24, 2023
34 people are currently reading
953 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
July 11, 2022
Dr Bravery (what a great name, am sure no one has pointed it out before) writes really well and I think makes some great points, many of which reflect my own experience. But (of course there's a but) even though it's a rallying call to change I found it dispiriting and a bit depressing for the second half. That's not to say it's wrong, it's just, I like it when the misery of being a junior doctor is balanced by the bits that make it a genuine privilege and joy to work. There's not a lot of that right now but the human element is always there.
I try not to write overly critical reviews on books that don't have a lot of reviews because I don't want to put anyone off. This is a great book and you should read it. This story in progress is amazing. But I will be curious if Dr Bravery writes a follow up when he's finished his training and hopefully finds some joy in his work - as someone who genuinely does every week. Also, give Ian a hug.
I try not to write overly critical reviews on books that don't have a lot of reviews because I don't want to put anyone off. This is a great book and you should read it. This story in progress is amazing. But I will be curious if Dr Bravery writes a follow up when he's finished his training and hopefully finds some joy in his work - as someone who genuinely does every week. Also, give Ian a hug.
January 18, 2023
Interesting book to read heading into my internship. Some good concepts to think about - how does the system disempower patients, how can junior doctors advocate for their patients, how does med school squash your empathy
September 7, 2022
At 28, Ben was diagnosed with bowel cancer. He survived but his experience as a patient in the Australian healthcare system drove him to become a doctor. Ambitiously and maybe naively thinking he could improve patient care.
At the heart of this book is the need for health care to become more human again: for all parties - doctors AND patients - to have a seat at the table; for health to focus on compassion, kindness and communication; for medical education to embrace patients as teachers. That all seems so common-sense (at least to me) but it's scary just how difficult it will.be to implement (which is def should!)
I LOVED this book. Ben spoke deeply about things I have been passionate about for more 15 years. For non clinical people it is often hard to be heard, so I dearly hope doctors might listen more to one amongst their own.
I feel like need to end this review with a disclaimer. I am a health communication researcher with a background in linguistics. My daily job is basically to investigate how we can make health care better and safer by improving how doctor and patient talk to each other. So Ben's books didn't have any convincing to do. Preaching to the choir. I annotated it so heavily it too me ages to read. I will gift a copy to the medical students I am supervising in student projects so I can help him achieve his vision :)
At the heart of this book is the need for health care to become more human again: for all parties - doctors AND patients - to have a seat at the table; for health to focus on compassion, kindness and communication; for medical education to embrace patients as teachers. That all seems so common-sense (at least to me) but it's scary just how difficult it will.be to implement (which is def should!)
I LOVED this book. Ben spoke deeply about things I have been passionate about for more 15 years. For non clinical people it is often hard to be heard, so I dearly hope doctors might listen more to one amongst their own.
I feel like need to end this review with a disclaimer. I am a health communication researcher with a background in linguistics. My daily job is basically to investigate how we can make health care better and safer by improving how doctor and patient talk to each other. So Ben's books didn't have any convincing to do. Preaching to the choir. I annotated it so heavily it too me ages to read. I will gift a copy to the medical students I am supervising in student projects so I can help him achieve his vision :)
July 29, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed
February 3, 2024
Initially, I thought that reading the outcome of the entire book in the introduction would ruin the story, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. Reading about Dr Ben’s story amazed me at every turn. His attitude towards patients and dedication to his own morals over the course of his training and into his residence is truely inspiring, even to those not in the medical field.
July 25, 2023
Dr Bravery talked as a keynote speaker at a conference I attended. His talk was inspirational, honest and funny and I was interested to read his book. It was a brilliant read and is based on his own health journey and desire to create change in the health system by becoming a doctor himself. I admire his honesty about the shortcomings of the health system in Australia, the lack of empathy and care for patients and his desire for health reform. It is not a surprise that the issues of the health system start with medical school and I loved Dr Bravery’s many ideas on how to operationalise positive change within the medical education and in hospitals. Not all is doom and gloom and it is doctors like him and the other amazing doctors he met along his professional journey that found their calling to make a difference. Highly recommend this book.
September 3, 2022
Ben Bravery is a zoologist living his best life in China. He opened his own business as a science communicator and it was starting to get traction when he had to return to Australia for visa issues and also scheduled a colonoscopy because he was having some troubling symptoms. Then he was diagnosed with bowel cancer, his life changed in an instant and he spent the next 18 months getting treatment. Then the story progresses to how he decides to become a doctor and try to change the health care system from the inside.
This book is very interesting. I have worked in health research for the majority of my life and only recently directly from the system and it was eye opening seeing the system through a patient, then a doctors eyes. This is a worthwhile read.
This book is very interesting. I have worked in health research for the majority of my life and only recently directly from the system and it was eye opening seeing the system through a patient, then a doctors eyes. This is a worthwhile read.
January 20, 2024
Should be required reading for all doctors but particularly people training doctors and those in positions of power in hospitals.
October 15, 2024
I couldnt book this book down. It was so honest, raw and real. The author has been through so much yet remains so committed to making positive changes to health care. It was very well written.
October 15, 2023
A good book about a very important topic. Medical students should read this. It’s disheartening to hear that humanity is still so often lacking in medicine. It made me feel glad that I no longer work in hospitals. We need more doctors like Ben.
January 25, 2025
Wow! This is such a great book. I think everyone needs to read it, especially doctors. Very well written, I couldn't put it down
April 3, 2025
Interesting read. Good to see both sides to the story.
August 20, 2024
It holds insightful views and points out the need to never forget the patient focus side of medicine. The book does ridicule medicine, in my opinion, slightly too much.
November 4, 2022
Great read that gives you some insight from both the perspective of a patient and doctor. How change is possible but small steps are needed.
October 7, 2022
My husband heard Dr Ben Bravery speaking on 612ABC ‘Conversations’ and told me I needed to read this book.
Ben’s cancer journey and the book it inspired had made a big impression.
I read the book in less than a day. I couldn’t put it down.
As a human being, a healthcare worker and a nurse for over four decades it really hit a nerve.
I cried and laughed, empathised and sympathised but I think my strongest emotion was one of anger.
Ben’s book brought back so many memories and I could relate to so many of his stories as a result of working in our overstretched and under resourced healthcare system for many years. It will take a huge shift in our thing for change to occur.
But I was also left feeling hopeful that small changes will lead to bigger ones. To quote Ben, ‘we need to embrace ‘human-centred’ healthcare which recognises that the system can disappoint both sides of the patient-doctor relationship. It’s about prioritising the values that make us human - communication, respect, empathy, compassion, kindness and balance’.
A truly remarkable young man and one I’d be so very proud and honoured to work beside.
Ben’s cancer journey and the book it inspired had made a big impression.
I read the book in less than a day. I couldn’t put it down.
As a human being, a healthcare worker and a nurse for over four decades it really hit a nerve.
I cried and laughed, empathised and sympathised but I think my strongest emotion was one of anger.
Ben’s book brought back so many memories and I could relate to so many of his stories as a result of working in our overstretched and under resourced healthcare system for many years. It will take a huge shift in our thing for change to occur.
But I was also left feeling hopeful that small changes will lead to bigger ones. To quote Ben, ‘we need to embrace ‘human-centred’ healthcare which recognises that the system can disappoint both sides of the patient-doctor relationship. It’s about prioritising the values that make us human - communication, respect, empathy, compassion, kindness and balance’.
A truly remarkable young man and one I’d be so very proud and honoured to work beside.
May 6, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. Bravery writes about his experience going through the hospital system, first as a cancer patient, then a medical student and finally a doctor. He provides a valuable perspective, describing how the healthcare system lacks empathy and compassion for patients and the people who are treating them.
Before reading this book I just accepted that the healthcare system had to be sterile, bureaucratic, and scary, but now I've been challenged to want better.
I highly recommend reading this book to anyone working in healthcare.
Before reading this book I just accepted that the healthcare system had to be sterile, bureaucratic, and scary, but now I've been challenged to want better.
I highly recommend reading this book to anyone working in healthcare.
December 13, 2022
Adored this book!!! As a future doctor, this was an incredible insight into both sides of the healthcare system. This book was beautifully written, honest and hilarious (everyone loves a poo joke). A great read for anyone and everyone!
September 15, 2022
As someone faces health challenges it put words to how I was feeling. A brave book by Ben Bravery but definitely a book that needed to be written.
January 4, 2023
This was a very interesting memoir/account of Dr Ben Bravery's experiences with bowel cancer and how this made him forge a career in medicine and the opinions it helped him form about patiemt-centred health care.
By the way - yes, Ben's name is awesome - he sounds like a character for a book and just the right character for this book!
The book starts with an account about Ben's discovery of bowel cancer and paints his background. Despite being a "tall white male" he did not have it all perfect in his life, having some disrupted family life and his family was not from the highly educated high socioeconomic background which would later characterise the medical students he studied with.
One thing I found in the book was the Ben assured us several times he was aware he was tall white and male and he knew he had privileges ... blah blah.
I find this sort of thing may be something that white men may feel they need to write lest they be seen as inconsiderate thoughtless idiots. Ben didn't need to keep saying this. His story was worth telling no matter his skin colour or gender and everyone has both advantages and disadvantages in life. I hardly ever see people of colour say "I know that I haven't had cancer and that really helped me in life ..." to preface their stories, almost as an assurance to readers that they are very aware of others out there that may be less fortunate.
Anyway, back to Ben. Ben's story of how he survived cancer was pretty well told in a clear and simple voice. We hear about how his family and his partner rallied to be with him and how he left China and then decided to be a doctor.
I found how he became a doctor and then his stints as a doctor more interesting. The competitive nature of being a medical student which set us up for the "less human" culture of medicine. With the way some of those senior doctors and lecturers behaved, it reminded me of Scrubs and Dr Perry Cox/Dr Bob Kelso!
I found Ben's discussions of the hospital culture quite interesting and how little things like name badges could help and how even the quality of the hospital food was an issue. I have known some patients with real issues with hospital food and how awful it is, is a joke (a bad one). I've known some people nickname nurses and doctors "The Sadist" etc because of their bad bedside manner.
It was also very interesting to read about how the "difficulty" of a patient could result in different levels of health care, which is not very well addressed, given that patients being difficult is often
for a legitimate reason and not easily controlled (they are often in both emotional and physical pain, and it is normal for people to ask questions and try to understand their position especially at such critical times which affect them personally). Also, many patients may have difficult speaking English, and it would be absolutely normal for all patients to be less knowledgeable about medicine and medical jargon than the doctors.
The book did not address many issues that are prevalent in the health system but Ben's attitude was clear. The book wasn't so much about showing all the answers but about giving inspiration, and talking about how an incident might change an outlook on life.
I think the book succeeded and it was a thought-provoking and good read.
By the way - yes, Ben's name is awesome - he sounds like a character for a book and just the right character for this book!
The book starts with an account about Ben's discovery of bowel cancer and paints his background. Despite being a "tall white male" he did not have it all perfect in his life, having some disrupted family life and his family was not from the highly educated high socioeconomic background which would later characterise the medical students he studied with.
One thing I found in the book was the Ben assured us several times he was aware he was tall white and male and he knew he had privileges ... blah blah.
I find this sort of thing may be something that white men may feel they need to write lest they be seen as inconsiderate thoughtless idiots. Ben didn't need to keep saying this. His story was worth telling no matter his skin colour or gender and everyone has both advantages and disadvantages in life. I hardly ever see people of colour say "I know that I haven't had cancer and that really helped me in life ..." to preface their stories, almost as an assurance to readers that they are very aware of others out there that may be less fortunate.
Anyway, back to Ben. Ben's story of how he survived cancer was pretty well told in a clear and simple voice. We hear about how his family and his partner rallied to be with him and how he left China and then decided to be a doctor.
I found how he became a doctor and then his stints as a doctor more interesting. The competitive nature of being a medical student which set us up for the "less human" culture of medicine. With the way some of those senior doctors and lecturers behaved, it reminded me of Scrubs and Dr Perry Cox/Dr Bob Kelso!
I found Ben's discussions of the hospital culture quite interesting and how little things like name badges could help and how even the quality of the hospital food was an issue. I have known some patients with real issues with hospital food and how awful it is, is a joke (a bad one). I've known some people nickname nurses and doctors "The Sadist" etc because of their bad bedside manner.
It was also very interesting to read about how the "difficulty" of a patient could result in different levels of health care, which is not very well addressed, given that patients being difficult is often
for a legitimate reason and not easily controlled (they are often in both emotional and physical pain, and it is normal for people to ask questions and try to understand their position especially at such critical times which affect them personally). Also, many patients may have difficult speaking English, and it would be absolutely normal for all patients to be less knowledgeable about medicine and medical jargon than the doctors.
The book did not address many issues that are prevalent in the health system but Ben's attitude was clear. The book wasn't so much about showing all the answers but about giving inspiration, and talking about how an incident might change an outlook on life.
I think the book succeeded and it was a thought-provoking and good read.
November 3, 2024
I started this book after finishing when breath becomes air for a tutorial- And truly refreshingly loved reading about the Aus system we need more books by doctors on the Aus healthcare system, its good and bad aspects
It was such an easy to read book esp the 1st half- exactly what the author describes , communicating better to everyone not just people inside of medicine.
I also want to add it’s a great complement to an oncology rotation!
It has made me stop n literally send friends msgs about the book or just reflect myself - the examples of patients who were let down by the system, the ideas simple ones that could improve the system - the note sheet, name tags etc!
I hope every person in healthcare comes across this book at some point
Also loved the references in the end!
The second half did feel sad in terms of the reality of internship, the flaws in our system but I feel it’s the harsh reality and the book flows w hope of both what we can do better for ourselves and the people we work for and with
Thankyou for writing a book that covers personal , professional and systemic experiences in medicine
It was such an easy to read book esp the 1st half- exactly what the author describes , communicating better to everyone not just people inside of medicine.
I also want to add it’s a great complement to an oncology rotation!
It has made me stop n literally send friends msgs about the book or just reflect myself - the examples of patients who were let down by the system, the ideas simple ones that could improve the system - the note sheet, name tags etc!
I hope every person in healthcare comes across this book at some point
Also loved the references in the end!
The second half did feel sad in terms of the reality of internship, the flaws in our system but I feel it’s the harsh reality and the book flows w hope of both what we can do better for ourselves and the people we work for and with
Thankyou for writing a book that covers personal , professional and systemic experiences in medicine
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December 23, 2022At 28, Ben Bravery was working in China when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer. His life was turned upside down, moving back to Australia and navigating the healthcare system. Due to his experiences, he decided to study medicine with the aim of having a positive impact on healthcare.
This was a raw insight into the Australian healthcare system. Ben shares his honest experiences and how he wants to use this to provide positive experiences for others. As a healthcare professional myself and someone who has also been a patient, I found this book inspiring . I hope it sheds some light to others who don’t work in healthcare and may inspire others to help to improve the system.
Thanks to @hachetteaus for the review copy.
This was a raw insight into the Australian healthcare system. Ben shares his honest experiences and how he wants to use this to provide positive experiences for others. As a healthcare professional myself and someone who has also been a patient, I found this book inspiring . I hope it sheds some light to others who don’t work in healthcare and may inspire others to help to improve the system.
Thanks to @hachetteaus for the review copy.
July 24, 2025
This book is exactly what I needed to read after my first semester of medical school exams. Absolutely epic that the author, Dr Ben Bravery, is a lecturer at my university and to have him write about his experiences of the university I am attending while I’m currently experiencing them. As someone who never thought of pursuing a career in medicine until my own health problems hit, it was a close to home story that made me study every single page of the book.
The rawness and honesty in the book has made me feel more comfortable and confident in knowing that all the emotions I am feeling in medical school are normal. The term he comes up with students as “med bots” could not be more accurate! Cue the people talking about their Anki card streaks and thousands of cards they do a day.
The rawness and honesty in the book has made me feel more comfortable and confident in knowing that all the emotions I am feeling in medical school are normal. The term he comes up with students as “med bots” could not be more accurate! Cue the people talking about their Anki card streaks and thousands of cards they do a day.
March 28, 2024
It’s a good read and I would recommend but I was disappointed that Ben decided to specialise in psychiatry - not because there’s anything wrong with psychiatry (it’s extremely important) but because the other more medical specialities are less holistic and patient centred, having someone like him outwith psychiatry (which is already patient centred) would have made more of a difference.
Anyway, the book was interesting and refreshing - not the best medical book I have read but his story is interesting and I think all medical students (and doctors to be honest) should read this.
Anyway, the book was interesting and refreshing - not the best medical book I have read but his story is interesting and I think all medical students (and doctors to be honest) should read this.
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January 20, 2023After meeting Ben at a conference a few years ago I had to read this book as I am a health care worker. Ben dosent have an arrogant bone in his body. He looks at the patient doctor relationship through gentle kind eyes. He really cares about the patient in more ways than theIr medical requirements!! He truly understands patient centred care. Required reading for all medical students. Thanks Ben and keep being you😁
June 29, 2023
Well written and thought provoking book about Ben Bravery’s experience with bowel cancer, his subsequent decision to become a doctor and his dismay at the lack of patient compassion within the medical system. Ben speaks from the heart, with experience and never gripes and whinges but rather it is a biography of his experiences, also delving partly into his working class upbringing and stories from fellow students. I really enjoyed Ben’s story, the messages in the book and his honesty. 4.5 ⭐️ rounded up
December 19, 2022
Really enjoyed this book hopefully with you working in our health system changes may happen, even small ones (eg name badge. Hospitals make every patient feel vulnerable, it is those amazing hospital staff (all occupations and levels) that can help in ensuring that a person already under stress can maybe reassured even just for a moment with a kind word, and a professional that listens.
October 17, 2024
A great medical memoir which might come off as trite if the author was not so obviously a genuinely good person and caring doctor. A welcome reminder to focus on the human side of medicine and the privilege of the job despite the struggles.
February 16, 2023
Such a brave and heart warming story. I manage a GP clinic and it was a fantastic reminder that patients are often scared when entering the medical world, and it’s the small things that really make all the difference. Thank you Ben for telling your story
November 3, 2022
This book changed the way I think about work and patients. Well done to the author.
March 13, 2023
Thanks Ben for giving me lots of insights about what it looks like to work in medicine, which used to be my dream job. I came from a non-science background and wished to become a doctor in oncology. I tried to ace GAMSAT many times but unsuccessful. My experience stopped at the exams. I had very little idea about the life of a medical student and a doctor. From Ben, I realised how much he sacrificed to get to where he is now.
For me, the book is easy to read as it did not have lots of complex medical terms. I also loved the way Ben explained things - very much simple so I could understand why things work that way in my body. To be honest, my GPs did not always say things or visualise or illustrate stuff a lot. So I had to either google it after the consultation or followed the instructions without asking. I guessed Ben already included the reasons why it was like that in his book.
For me, the book is easy to read as it did not have lots of complex medical terms. I also loved the way Ben explained things - very much simple so I could understand why things work that way in my body. To be honest, my GPs did not always say things or visualise or illustrate stuff a lot. So I had to either google it after the consultation or followed the instructions without asking. I guessed Ben already included the reasons why it was like that in his book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews