The Intern Blues: The Timeless Classic about the Making of a Doctor

by Robert Marion

Book Overview

While supervising a small group of interns at a major New York medical center, Dr. Robert Marion asked three of them to keep a careful diary over the course of a year. Andy, Mark, and Amy vividly describe their real-life lessons in treating very sick children; confronting child abuse and the awful human impact of the AIDS epidemic; skirting the indifference of the hospital bureaucracy; and overcoming their own fears, insecurities, and constant fatigue...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060937092
• ISBN13: 9780060937096
• Release Date: August 2001
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 528 Pages
• Weight: 0.89 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.3" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

A Great Book for Everyone

I'll preface this review by saying my knowledge of the medical profession is minimal at best. However, Marion's book was among the best I've read in a long time. The story of how three interns struggle to make it throught a year is emotionally draining and exhilarating at the same time. Marion does an excellent job of describing all medical terms and summarizing the stress that the interns are going through. After having read this book I have a greater respect and understanding of what current doctors go through to get to their positions. "The Intern Blues" is well worth reading for doctors and non-doctors alike.

good insight

This book, as it states in the introduction, is a good book for spouses, friends, and family to read. It will give them an idea of what we will go through and the immense demands on our time. It is true that legislative changes have been made since these interns went through the experiences they chronicled; however, it is still an exhaustive process.It is too bad that the book did not also go through the preclinical experiences of these three. Or maybe that's a good thing! I recommend reading it and passing it around the family, as well.

Any Prospective Doctor Should Read this Book

I am 17 years old and I was thinking about being a doctor. I had read all the general guides on the road to becoming a physician that included information on schooling and standardized tests. But what I was really looking for were testimonials, stories of doctors who decided to take the hard route and made it. This book helped me to reaffirm my decision to become a doctor for after finishing it, I realize what I am getting myself into. What they gain through one year of absoulte hell is more valuable than all the riches in the world. Even if you don't plan on becoming a doctor, read this book anyways to see what doctors have to go through to get where they are. I know I'll never look at a doctor the same way again.

Right on the nose

As a third year resident in pediatrics, I re-read this book. I read it initially as a premed student, and I couldn't wait to live it myself. Having lived it, I'm glad I san say that I am part of a rich alumni of former interns. However, my second year was more grueling than the first. Insted of being the intern, I was supervising the interns, as well as the ICU's, My only criticism of the book is that Marion seemed to select 3 ultra whiners for his subjects. Maybe it's an East Coast thing, but even after a horrible call night or some terrible deaths, my colleagues and I rarely achieved this level of whining and self pity. Suggestion : Do a book at a Big Ten School !

A hauntingly accurate representation of internship

During medical school I was given "The Intern Blues" by a friend (we were both interested in pediatrics). I could not believe that what was in the book really happened, because the problems and stresses appeared to be impossible for anyone to undertake. During my internship in pediatrics, however, I reread the book and was amazed to find that it was 100% factual, from the patient AND physician standpoint. As a Chief Resident in pediatrics as a teaching hospital I have recommended it to the interns, to let them know that what they are experiencing is not unusual, and that they are not alone. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in medicine (especially pediatrics), and for the families of medical students and residents, as it can help them understand the many personality and life style changes that accompany internship and residency. This book is a MUST READ for anyone contemplating pediatric residency.