Told by a unique voice in American medicine, this epic story recounts life-changing experiences in the career of a distinguished physician, and is described by The New York Times as âa true service [to history]. Dr. Reilly deserves a resounding bravo for telling it like it is.â Malcolm Gladwell agrees: âBrendan Reilly has written a beautiful book about a forgotten subjectâwhat it means for a physician to truly care for a patient.â
Every review of One Doctor noted its beautiful writing and compelling story, the riveting tension and suspense. âRemarkable with heart-pounding pace and dramaâ (Publishers Weekly); âa gripping, moving memoirâ (Abraham Verghese); âa terrific readâ (The Boston Globe); âan astonishingly moving and incredibly personal account of a modern doctorâ (The Lancet).
In compelling first-person prose, Dr. Brendan Reilly takes readers to the front lines of medicine today. Whipsawed by daily crises and frustrations, Reilly must deal with several daunting challenges simultaneously. As Reillyâs patients and their families survive close calls, struggle with heartrending decisions, and confront the limits of medicineâs power to cure, One Doctor lays bare a fragmented, depersonalized, business-driven health care system where real caring is hard to find. Every day, Reilly sees patients who fall through the cracks and suffer harm because they lack one doctor who knows them well and relentlessly advocates for their best interests. Filled with fascinating characters in New York City and rural New Englandâpeople with dark secrets, mysterious illnesses, impossible dreams, and limitless courageâOne Doctor tells their stories with sensitivity and empathy, reminding us of professional values once held dear by all physicians.