In Shock

My Journey from Death to Recovery and the Redemptive Power of Hope

By: Dr. Rana Awdish

Narrated by: Dr. Rana Awdish, Teri Schnaubelt

Length: 9 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

In Shock is a riveting first-hand account from a young critical care physician, who in the passage of a moment is transfigured into a dying patient. This transposition, coincidentally timed at the end of her medical training, instantly lays bare the vast chasm between the conventional practice of medicine and the stark reality of the prostrate patient.

Hauntingly perceptive and beautifully written, it allows the listener to transform alongside her, and watch what she discovers in our carefully cultivated, yet often misguided standard of care. The author demonstrates through engaging narrative and laser-sharp wit how the unbearable is borne. She comes to understand the fatal flaws in her profession and in her own past actions as a physician. She also achieves, through unflinching presence, a crystalline vision of a new and better possibility.

Using her exceptional recall, Awdish fashions an elegant, yet urgent call to action. As she finds herself up against the same self-protective partitions she was trained to construct as a medical student and physician, she artfully illuminates the dysfunction of disconnection. Shatteringly personal, and yet wholly universal, she offers a brave roadmap for anyone navigating illness. At the same time, she presents physicians with a new paradigm and rationale for embracing the emotional bond between doctor and patient. All told, she cogently outlines the redemptive possibilities of dismantling the barriers to connection in all relationships.

©2017 Rana Awdish (P)2017 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Published by arrangement with St. Martin's Press.

great book

A wonderful book with great insights. brought so much hope into my daily commute to work

Interesting

Enjoyed this. but not my favorite as well. The performance changed things for me. I did enjoy the doctor patient viewpoint.

As a doctor myself, I cried.

As an OB/Gyn, this was such a moving story. I cried several times. We are having a book club on this book with several of our med students and residents. The paid narrator pronounced FASCIA wrong a few times which was amusing. But Dr. Awdish brings an important light on empathy, compassion, and how we communicate as healthcare providers with our patients. This is a must-read for everyone in the medical community.

Thought Provoking

Excellent book that I hope anyone in healthcare reads. Dr. Awdish's experience and her ability to put it into purpose in creating new education for practitioners to impact healthcare is fantastic. She brings back the much-needed focus on empathy, the patient experience, but also of teaching, allowing and expecting healthcare providers to be emotionally available during care. I loved this book and recommend it highly.

Requires Reading

Dr. Awdish literally breaths life into the root of patients trauma that is often and unknowingly caused by the people meant to help. I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone, but the knowing, it would change everything. This book should be required reading for EVERY provider and those who teach new providers. "Once you know better, you do better" - Maya Angelou Thank you Dr. Awdish for such an incredible journey into you life. I hope to bring your experience with me as we begin teaching a new way in Obstetrics.

Amazing- a must read for all health care providers- doctors and nurse

Truly an amazing book that gives a unique perspective and encourages us as healthcare providers to think and communicate not only differently but more effectively to better our patients. An inspiring book that all students in any healthcare field must read!

Real and refreshing for anyone in medicine

This book spoke to so many challenging feelings and emotions that come up during medical training. I look forward to discussing the book with colleagues, and I'm hopeful that the culture of medicine is gradually changing as these experiences are shared in the light.

new reader needed

I read the book first, she is just too monatone,but nevertheless I did enjoy it .we are reading it in the Laboratory at the Philadelphia pa VA Medical center. it is like pulling teeth to get the men to read but it is happening yea
this is the first book of this new book club.

Powerful

A must read for everyone especially those looking how to have change a culture to one of Empathy and Compassion

Great read

As a physician myself, I could relate to many of the points presented by the author. The book was easy to listen to and had a nice flow.

It’s easy for healthcare providers to prejudge patients before they even meet them. This is true in all fields of medicine. My hope is to find a way to change this culture at my workplace. Reading this book has provided me with some insight.

Thank you for sharing your story.