How Doctors Think

Arguably every reader of this review has been sick and seen by doctor at least once in his/her life. For us nonMDs it is critical to learn different ways how MDs are analyzing the situation and arriving to the conclusions.

Really excellent book, a lot that can be applied to not only doctors but also patients. I'm a student in physical therapy school, and I can see myself using the principles from this book for years to come

Dr Groopman uses an anecdotal style to describe not only scientific thought, but also the non-scientific thought that often masquerades as scientific thought, sometimes not evident even to scientists. I am a physician and found this both entertaining and helpful in my work. Great comments on HOW to think about problems and how to communicate that to patients, their families, and other providers.

Great for doctors and patients to read, as it helps to explain how well-intentioned physicians sometimes end up at inaccurate conclusions. I've recommended for colleagues and patients who've had frustrations with the healthcare they've received, and do so after a transparent and honest discussion about heuristics/etc.

Everyone should read this book. It is well written by a down to earth physician with wisdom about how doctors think and how they make mistakes. He teaches how we can ask the right questions of our doctors about diagnosis, and treatment.

An excellent presentation of some of the challenges of practicing medicine and the expectation of being infallible to which none of us can live up. It would be nice if we could measure how much we have to think about things and get paid accordingly rather than doing procedures which are more easily measured and pay better.

My doctor recommended this, probably to help me better understand the care I was receiving from all my doctors. It wass helpful because if you aren't on the same page with your doctor, there can be a lot of misunderstanding. Apparently doctors don't get training on how to communicate with patients, so it's up to the patient to be proactive.

This is a great book! It's interesting, well written and useful. It explores some of the mental errors and biases that doctors engage in. The book also emphasizes the point that we should be proactive in our own care and make sure our doctors have all of our information, even if they don't ask for it. And ask them questions!

Recommended by a colleague. Reinforces many pre-existing stereotypes yet also enlightening. Encourages me to continue my style of teaching of the health professionals I have the privilege to influence. Highly recommend for patients and physicians alike to read.

Very interesting analysis of how doctor's come their conclusions and why so many are incorrect.

Who someone choses for their medical care make a huge difference on how they feel and function their entire life. Health is the most precious gift we have and the lack of its quality can be altered negatively if in the wrong physicians hands.

An insightful look into common diagnostics traps doctors fall into when confronted with suffering patients and complex symptoms. Written by a doctor, anecdotal rather than scholarly. Worth the time to read.

I enjoyed reading the book. I am a physician myself and This book helped me realize dealing with uncertainty is part of the job. The book also taught me to be a more proactive and collaborative patient-being a patient is not a passive process.

Well written book that shows doctors are human with the same issues as their patients and how that can influence how they make medical decisions and diagnoses. Lots of good examples and a very good read from start to finish.

A timely and necessary book. Well written in narrative style. Dr Groopman's prose is easy to read, yet he writes with authority and well supported by evidence. I strongly recommend the book to medical practitioners and others in the health professions. In fact, well worth the read for anyone who is in the people professions, also teachers.

An outstanding book for patients and healthcare providers alike. A great source of information for patients to ask thoughtful questions to help their providers avoid biases and get to the correct diagnosis and therapy.

This is a magnificent book, not only in the information provided, but as a delightful reading experience. Dr. Groopman is a trusted ambassador, escorting patients and professionals alike into the often confusing and disturbing world of both applied and theoretical medicine. His case examples are poignant, as well as instructive, particularly his personal experience searching for a diagnosis of a hand injury. This book should be required reading in every medical school curriculum -- it would be a great help in promoting sincerity, humility and keen powers of observation in future physicians.

Having retired 11 years ago after a lifetime of nursing experience, I appreciated the stories and transparency of this volume. It resonated with my experience "on the front" and made plain so much I had observed and witnessed. Arrived in good condition, in fine time.

This was an interesting read. It was slow going here and there, but the case studies and advice were thought-provoking. Soon after reading the book, I had a chance to use the verbal tips to steer a health practitioner of mine into considering other possible diagnoses and ordering further tests for a hopefully minor ailment. It was a little experiment, but effective.

It gives you an understanding of how our medical system has become what it is today. Doesn't necessarily make it better, but when you understand how they are thinking, you might be able to work the system a bit better.

This book is just what my doctor ordered; it affirmed my feelings about 'new' medicine. It lets us know that doctor's are human beings, and they can make errors. It also explains the need for people to question their doctors, and to keep questioning until a doctor listens!

This book was recommended by a friend. I really enjoyed reading it.

From my point of view it is important to know how doctors think because by helping them in making right diagnose you help yourself with treatment and recovery.