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Original poster

Has anyone read : This is going to hurt, by Adam Kay

27 replies

MedicinalGin · 22/08/2018 11:24

Has anyone here read this? I need to vent!!!

I finished reading it last night- read it all in one go and then couldn’t sleep.
I found the relentlessness and the high stakes and the pressures he describes so agonising; not least because it was layered between anecdotes of such laser sharp black humour. Anyway, I couldn’t sleep after reading it- I guess I felt so guilty at not realising just how brutal working in the NHS can be and how I’ve not really ever quite comprehended it. I’m a teacher and used to feel like I understood when they talk of the long hours and the pressure and the lack of gratitude. I hardly feel I can complain now - I’ve never worked 97 hours in a week and I never had to miss my own wedding day to cover staff shortages.

Anyway, am just feeling a bit emotional still, I guess- but just wanted to say thank you to the doctors and other healthcare professionals on here’s who look out for us all and our families, often at the expense of their own health and families’ well being. They really are superheroes and deserve to be treasured always.

OP posts:
iklboo · 22/08/2018 11:26

Yes I've read it. It's a really good book. I was laughing out loud in a lot of places. The end was so brutal though. I work in a loose tangent with the NHS and really appreciate the pressure they're under. And how my great grandparents (and until 1948 my grandparents) wouldn't have had it. Weird to think my dad was born pre NHS.

FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast · 22/08/2018 11:26

Yes I read it the other day - it was hilarious. Kind of dark, though, yes. Grin

ReginaOcarina · 22/08/2018 11:30

I've just finished this and felt exactly the same as you! I thought back to times I have been in hospital and whether the nurses/doctors/midwives were missing any special events that day while they were caring for me instead. Caring for my poorly babies instead of kissing their own goodnight. It's truly eye opening and humbling.

emummy · 22/08/2018 11:30

Yes I read it. I was a few years ahead of him at Edinburgh medical school, so it was like reading my own professional life! It makes me feel better for having stopped working(as an A&E specialist) 5 years ago. I should give it to my mother to read, she's never quite forgiven me for not wanting to be a doctor anymore.....

FrontRowSeat · 22/08/2018 11:34

I’ve just finished reading it. I’ve always been grateful for our NHS but I had no idea how understaffed and over worked they are. Truly shocking.

Ps in relation to the terrible incident towards the end, what was the outcome for the mum? Not sure if I’ve just not read it properly!

Holidayshopping · 22/08/2018 11:34

I thought it’s was superb. Very funny but a real eye-opener.

LaContessaDiPlump · 22/08/2018 11:36

Oh it was grim. Proper, proper grim. Especially the clear message that his colleagues expected him to soldier on after that horrible experience (the one that made him leave) and were surprised when he didn't.

The idea of the NHS is wonderful but the reality needs some serious work.

welshweasel · 22/08/2018 11:38

Yes. It reminded me of the brutality of 100 weeks as a junior doctor. It wasn’t all bad though, i don’t think many people were as affected as he was. It’s a good read.

Whatthefoxgoingon · 22/08/2018 11:38

Everyone should read this book. Especially young people who dream of being doctors. It will swiftly show them reality vs fantasy.

ReggieKrayDoYouKnowMyName · 22/08/2018 11:38

I read it and loved it- he’s a funny man and I loved The Am Trams back in the day but I feel very sad that the amusing little lad on keyboards back when we were in our early 20s went through such a dreadful thing and couldn’t be andcgod anymore.

WellTidy · 22/08/2018 11:39

I thought it was superb too. Can I also recommend The Language of Kindness by Christie Watson. It is a nurse's story and her experience of working in the NHS for 20 years. It complements Adam Kay's very well, although it is written very differently.

Whoisalanbrazil · 22/08/2018 11:41

I recommend his show about it - incredibly funny man.

Someone fainted the night we were there and fell off a stool, he raced to the back to help him.

Cardiganandcuppa · 22/08/2018 11:42

Yes, it’s brilliant and hilarious and horrific isn’t it.

AveAtqueVale · 22/08/2018 11:45

I’m avoiding reading it. In my final year of medical school and terrified enough already...

hopingforhappiness · 22/08/2018 12:04

I bought it for my 16yo DS; who is determined to be a doctor.
It hasn't put him off at all, but I found it incredibly upsetting at points.

QuimReaper · 22/08/2018 12:28

I really enjoyed the audiobook and I felt exactly the same. I was staggered by how much pressure the staff were under and how insane the hours tended to be.

However, I fear it's the degloved penis which will haunt me the longest.

Goingalonenow · 22/08/2018 12:29

I love his work. I saw him a lot back in the day of Amateur Transplants when he was still with Suman, he's so bloody funny.

Original poster
MedicinalGin · 22/08/2018 12:32

The degloved penis was an eye opener!

I found the phantom pregnancy 😦 too- the woman was so completely adamant that she was in labour and actually in the end she needed psychiatric treatment.

I had no idea that the junior doctors move hospital so frequently, only staying in each place for six months. I always thought the the camaraderie got them through but actually they must always feel like the new person.

OP posts:
SnugglySnerd · 22/08/2018 12:33

Yes I read it about 6 weeks ago and I still think about the ending very often. Heartbreaking. Really good book though.

domesticslattern · 22/08/2018 12:33

His show is hilarious. If it pitches up anywhere near you, go go go.

nowifi · 22/08/2018 12:54

I loved it too, great book! Might check out the nurses book if it's good welltidy !

DGRossetti · 22/08/2018 14:08

This is a good interview ...

sirmione16 · 22/08/2018 14:21

I've read it and loved it - hugely respect NHS workers in all fields anyway but this really shed a new light on the reality of the toll it takes on them personally. Wonderfully witty and well written too - sharp sense of humour. Loved it

MissisBoote · 22/08/2018 14:25

Yes it's very good.

I'd recommend reading 'Do no Harm' by the brain surgeon Henry Marsh too.

Dowser · 22/08/2018 15:39

Intake it he’s a comedian now