Oxygen, a novel by anesthesiologist Dr. Carol Cassella, took my breath away. And not just because the story was gripping and the writing superb. This story brought into relief a growing fear of mine: the role of litigation in widening the disconnect between doctors and patients.
A 2008 review by Publisher's Weekly says, "...this nicely wrought debut follows the travails of an experienced Seattle anesthesiologist after an eight-year-old patient dies while under the knife. In the aftermath, Dr. Marie Heaton is entangled in both her grief and a malpractice lawsuit. ...the real hook is Cassella's knowing portrayal of the health industrial complex's inner workings; she knows the turf and doesn't spare readers the nasty bits."
Most media coverage of the current lititgious medical environment focuses on the sympathetic side of patients who've been hurt by incompetent and/or uncaring physicians. Oxygen brings into relief how dedicated, excellent physicians are negatively affected by lawsuits. Many resort to defensive medicine, routinely ordering extra tests and/or avoiding risky cases. Others leave medicine prematurely, deciding the risk isn't worth it.
Although Oxygen is fictional, I almost stopped reading 1/3 of the way through. I'm glad I didn't, because the surprise ending more than made up for my earlier emotional distress. If you want to talk about healing the rift between physicians and patients, consider reading this book and listening to this NPR interview with the author.
I too enjoyed this book and thought the author did an excellent job capturing the emotional rollercoaster of a lawsuit and the damage it can do to both sides. It's a great read.
Posted by: Kate | September 22, 2008 at 07:14 PM
Thanks, Kate. I blog about books that might be of interest to Healthy Survivors, so I welcome book recommendations from readers, too.
With hope, Wendy
Posted by: Wendy S. Harpham, MD | September 23, 2008 at 06:29 AM
Yes! Read and liked this book a lot, and I've been meaning to blog about it. I passed your recommendation along on Boxing the Octopus. Thanks, Wendy.
Posted by: Joni Rodgers | September 23, 2008 at 08:35 AM
Dear Joni,
Thanks for helping me spread the word about this book.
I'm wondering if reading the first hundred pages made you as uncomfortable as they made me.
Here is the link to your blog for readers who want to learn more about you and your writing.
http://boxingoctopus.blogspot.com/
With hope, Wendy
Posted by: Wendy S. Harpham, MD | September 23, 2008 at 08:44 AM