BOOK REVIEW
By Gerard S. Doyle
Process Press, 2010, $17.95
Even if you’re not ready to come to terms with the possibility of a very different world in our near future, When There Is No Doctor would be an important addition to your family library, especially if you’re looking for a medical career in the future, you might find these Graduate program and career exploration resources extremely helpful also.
An emphasis on preventive medicine, basic healthcare principles, and simple skills is helpful and useful for every cold season and minor household accident; it also can help cut costs by avoiding unnecessary trips to the doctor on issues you can handle yourself.
Short term emergencies such as big storms happen all over the country at all times of year and could keep us from getting to the hospital or the hospital from having the resources to meet everyone’s needs. It’s great to feel empowered in that kind of situation, rather than powerless. The main purpose of this book, however, is to help us help ourselves and our neighbors in a time of serious and perhaps long term disruption.
With a can-do attitude that is very empowering for the lay person, Dr. Doyle encourages us to get easily available training and supplies now, before we need them. Simply getting more fit now will help to avoid many injuries and reduce the stress of a future of more physical work. Many options are presented for expanding your knowledge base, from community first aid classes to higher credentialed courses. Recommended equipment and supplies include information about clever improvisations that you can use with things on hand at home. Basic preventive medicine and sickroom care is reviewed with some information on more serious emergencies like fractures and fluid replacement.
While it is in no way meant to be the only source one would need, there are many practical tips and tricks spread throughout the book that are specific for a no-hospital situation. Coverage of psychological issues for caregivers and patients, along with ethical issues, is also an important inclusion.
As the modern medical system gets more and more complex, costly, and dependent on fancy technology, we need to learn more fundamental and sustainable ways to provide ourselves with safe, basic preventative healthcare and lower tech solutions that have stood the test of time. When There Is No Doctor is a great starting point.
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