Before I Sleep: a Doctor on Call

By William C. Waters, William C. Waters III, M.D. Waters, William C., III

DESCRIPTION OF CONTENT: This is the story of everything that happens to -- and a lot that runs through the mind of -- John Galen, M. D., as he darts from patient to patient in the office, ER,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0977128806
• ISBN13: 9780977128808
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: Logikon Pr
• Length: 412 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.9" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

Fascinating insite into the life of an internist

This is quite an amazing account of the highest level of medical practice. To the layman this gives an accurate insite into the life of an outstanding internist. To the practicing physician it inspires excellence in medical care. The heart and sole of the author are apparent in his, sometimes humorous, accounts of everyday interactions with his patients. It ring quite true to those of us who have walked in his shoes. Very well done.

Hit Drama Series, here we come!

I recommend this book for everyone to read! Before I Sleep's humor and intensity is right up there with ER, Grey's Anatomy, and so many other hit medical dramas we watch today. Before I Sleep is the story of Dr. Galen's day and night on call as he rushes from patient to patient. Dr. Galen investigates and solves a medical mystery for the reader with every patient he sees. The Author, Dr. Waters', kept each case interesting by being specific and explaining each diagnosis. He ties the whole book together with a few lingering cases that he revisits throughout the book. Some of the situations he talks about are so hilarious and unique it's hard to believe they are real, but they are. My only guestion...when will Before I Sleep 2 be out?

Old fashioned medicine

In "Before I Sleep" Dr. William Waters compiles vignettes of patients and their medical histories highlighting the doctor-patient relationship that is based on a style of medicine that is mostly gone with the wind as his generation nears retirement. It is an inside look at the way medicine used to be taught and practiced, and therefore provides a plumbline for those who would improve healthcare and allows them to take note that modern medical business practices are changing the doctor-patient relationship. The chapters are short and readable, and the characters are obviously based on real life people and places. In format, the novel reminds me of the TV show "ER", as it is technically accurate and follows several patients at the same time. The author is a gifted teacher as he makes the complicated sound simple, from the disease process of lupus to recognizing abnormal EKG rhythms. Dr. Water's fictional doctor, who is the main character, holds a medical philosophy of genuine concern and personal interest in his patients that leads to long hours that were not over when he left the office. He made house calls and nursing home visits -- no longer common in this day and age of Medicare reimbursements based on the number of patients seen per day. Like most first time novelists, Dr. Waters takes a while to develop the character and story line, but after the first fifty pages or so, he stays focused on relating remarkable patient stories as he remembers them, and it is hard to put down. My only disappointment is that the fictional doctor was irreverent at times, and this detracted somewhat from the overall reading. Yet, I would recommend it to anyone considering a career in the medicine or to anyone studying the changes that the medical field is going through.