Something for the Pain

Compassion and Burnout in the ER

By: Paul Austin

Narrated by: Carl Randolph

In this eye-opening account of life in the ER, Paul Austin recalls how the daily grind of long, erratic shifts and endless hordes of patients with sad stories sent him down a path of bitterness and cynicism. Gritty, powerful, and ultimately redemptive, Something for the Pain is a revealing glimpse into the fragility of compassion and sanity in the industrial setting of today’s hospitals.

©2008 Paul Austin (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"What makes this inspiring medical memoir stand out is the courageous measure of Austin’s humanity." (Publishers Weekly)

Loved This Book!!

At first when I listened to the sample introduction I didn't like the narrator. But with time I really learned to enjoy it. He told great ER stories that were just awesome. i did think it such a shame when his wife wouldn't quiet the kids while he slept after night shift. Basic respect needed there. I have had to keep quiet before and a person just does it for those they love.

Compassion is an action

This book helped me to understand the risks taken and sacrifices made by ER doctors and nurses.
It made me appreciate my doctors and nurses even more.

ended too soon

very engaging; I would have enjoyed several more chapters. Dr Austin is very candid about his feelings and observations.

Pretty good

Great book but the narrator is obviously not a medical person. Mispronounces words and you can tell sometimes he doesn’t really know what he is saying. But overall pretty good.

very honest

I loved it. I thought he did a good job talking about the raw emotions of all the situations he went through.

An okay book

As a future ER practitioner, I wanted to learn from those who went before me which is why I picked up this book. This book was a personal account of Dr. Austin's time in the ER and how he was able to manage his work/life balance while avoiding compassion fatigue or being terrible husband/father. I learned quite a bit and I intend to implement them for my life. I would give the story more points but the book read like a journal than a composite work, but I'm rooting for him and his family as they enter the next phase of their life.

The narrator did an okay job. His pace seems quickened though it may be his normal pace. As for his impersonation of the characters, the female one annoys me a bit and there wasn't that much variation in tone or pitch in certain scene where there more than 1 female. I didn't mind his mispronunciation of medical terms as I have trouble with it myself.

Excellent Book, Poor Performance

The story and underlying meaning Dr Austin is attempting to communicate is entertaining and poignant. Unfortunately the narrator manages to make southern accents sound English, and Jamaicans sound Irish. In addition to mispronunciations of many common words; for example frustrating has two r’s, both of which should be pronounced. These problems with the narration detract greatly from the overall enjoyment of this audiobook. I will make an effort to avoid further performances by Mr Randolph.