This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor
Adam Kay
2017
Picador
pp. 256
Adam Kay
2017
Picador
pp. 256
‘This is going to hurt’ is a collection of diary entries written by Adam Kay. A non fiction account of his years of training and growing as a junior doctor, the diary entries hide beneath its many layers of humour, a very sensitive doctor. After a long time, I have found a book that simplifies medicine to make it understandable for everyone. I also particularly like the writing for being humorous without being sarcastic or at the cost of someone else. I am wondering if it is this humour that helped him to survive his years of practicing medicine. In the middle of all the funny stories are also some emotional tales of engaging with patients, building bonds and struggling with the lack of appreciation of the effort that doctors put in. The larger mistrust in doctors’ intentions, particularly those who engage in private practice, is an oft heard tale. Kay’s take on the same is worth listening to. His passion for medicine, long after he has left the practice, is quite evident. I am quite amazed that students and practitioners of medicine the world over are not made to attend mandatory counselling, particularly after engaging with the trauma of death of a patient. I don’t know what are people waiting for given the immense toll practicing medicine has on the personal life of doctors. It was a thoroughly enjoyable book, and I am surprised that it isn’t more popular.