If you're into this sort of thing....

I have always been interested in medicine, and perhaps regret that I chose engineering instead, as a professional discipline. I especially enjoy medical 'reality' shows, such as recent ones on the Discovery channel which videotape doctors in emergency rooms. I often feel that I've learned enough from shows like that to actually be useful in an emergency situation.

If you're like me, than this edition of the book series 'The Great Courses', is simply superb. Roy Benaroch is excellent in conveying the fundamentals of emergency medicine, in a way which teaches and explains, to the layman, what emergency medicine is all about.

The chapters are taught in something of the manner of 'grand rounds' in a hospital; the story starts with a description of the patient, the 'present history of the illness' (i.e., the 'tale' of the patient in describing the symptoms and circumstances), and then proceeds to use tests and examinations to eventually reveal a diagnosis. Along the way, Benaroch reinforces the fundamentals of the proper approach to examination, diagnosis, and treatment.

Perhaps this is a book with very limited appeal... but if you have ever been interested in how emergency medicine works, you'll find this an absorbing and informative listen.

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64 people found this helpful

Entertaining, but not great for learning

Each lecture takes you to the ER and diagnosis different medical issues. Each has a theme. Makes for a very entertaining and engaging format, but I'm not sure I learned a single thing about medicine. I understand more about how an ER works and that's about it. Maybe one more thing - if you're in an ER, tell the doctor absolutely everything and don't lie.

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34 people found this helpful

mesmerizing like a soap opera

I am a nursing student and this course was a great overvuew of a myriad of conditions that are commonly faced in healthcare. The professor does an eccellent job of stopping to define uncommon terms and of giving wellthought out alternatives to his conclusions. Loved it!!

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29 people found this helpful

Difficult to listen to

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No. The author speaks in a...very halting...voice and..it...started to...get on my...nerves. Also the last chapter on Civil War Medicine is filled with errors and myths. For example, there was wide-spread use of anesthesia during the war--it was extremely rare for it to NOT be used. As far as soldiers being left to die on the battlefield without care, that only occurred during the midst of some battles while the battle still raged on without a truce (see Fredericksburg or Cold Harbor). Ambulances and triage were regularly used by both sides to care for wounded.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Be more accurate on the Civil War. Did the author get his info from TV or movies? He should have checked with the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. When gross inaccuracies like this occur, I wonder about the rest of the lessons. After all, the instructor is a pediatrician, not an Emergency Medicine Physician. Do these lessons get a peer review before being sent out as educational?

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

As mentioned before, he spoke very haltingly and it was irritating.

Do you think Medical School for Everyone: Emergency Medicine needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes. To correct errors.

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17 people found this helpful

Roy Benaroch does it again.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely recommend this book. Hopefully I won't be using an ED again but if so, after listening to this book,- I am better equipped to understand the wait involved and how to help myself get a quick and proper diagnosis.

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11 people found this helpful

Excellent Instructor

Professor Roy Benaroch is like the James Bond of Emergency Medicine. You'll want to be him by the end of the lecture. He's tactful, clever, and handles social situations (like telling a family that their loved one has passed) exceedingly well. I hope to be a fraction of the doctor that he appears to be.

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11 people found this helpful

Interesting

If you could sum up Medical School for Everyone: Emergency Medicine in three words, what would they be?

interesting, informative, well-presented.

What did you like best about this story?

The wide variety of cases discussed and his relationship to the people, not just their symptoms.

What about Professor Roy Benaroch’s performance did you like?

His comfortable was of conveying information. This is the second of his series and I would assuredly buy another.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

no

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10 people found this helpful

Interesting Starter

If you're into this kind of thing (which, of course I am, or why else would I have purchased this?), you'll find this beginner's guide to the ED illustrative of procedures and protocols. I would have liked a little more attention to determining diagnosis.

Some ED medicine is diagnosis by exclusion. It would also be interesting to have more info on what processes are used to rule out diseases/disorders, like definitions of specific tests, i.e. CBC, chem panel, CAT, MRI, ultrasound, chest X-ray, etc. I would also like more about chest tubes, central lines, intubation, or stroke and TPA, which may be more than what this beginner's introduction was designed for. All in all, I thought, in general, those who have never been exposed to emergency medicine will find this peek into the ED will leave them wanting more. The cases are interesting and the lecturer was great at presenting the stories. Can I get an "advanced emergency medicine?" I'll be waiting!

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9 people found this helpful

You Really Do Not Want to be First!

This audiobook is part of the Great Courses series and is composed of 24 lectures of about 30 minutes each. The lectures take the listener on shifts in the ER, or other closely related environment, where patients present with problems and the doctor goes through a series of steps to find the cause of distress in order to provide relief.

Of course this is not designed to make physicians out of the listeners, but it can help us all be better consumers of care in the Emergency setting or elsewhere. I learned, for example, that the last thing anyone wants is to be the patient in the waiting area who is quickly ushered into the back for immediate treatment. This is because in the ED (Emergency Department), the sickest patients, those in most danger of imminent death, are the ones who receive treatment ahead of less emergent cases. So having to wait for care, while annoying, is actually a very good thing.

This was an excellent audiobook, interesting and informative. Most of the Great Courses offerings are of high quality, and this one is no exception.

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8 people found this helpful

My favorite Great Course so far

Would you consider the audio edition of Medical School for Everyone: Emergency Medicine to be better than the print version?

Great information, stays engaging (like a medical mystery show on TV) throughout, teaches how to handle emergencies and how to get the most out of your doctor visits.

What did you like best about this story?

Stays informative and interesting throughout.

Which scene was your favorite?

Every scene has something great.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I'm about 3/4 of the way through. We just lost a patient. Very sad. Lots of info on sick kids which is excellent info but you still hate to hear about a kid that isn't 100%.

Any additional comments?

Everyone should listen to this one. Seriously. You'll love it. I almost didn't pick this one but the sample was pretty good so I went for it. It stays excellent throughout.

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8 people found this helpful