Confessions of a Surgeon Audiobook By Paul A. Ruggieri MD cover art

Confessions of a Surgeon

The Good, the Bad, and the Complicated...Life Behind the O.R. Doors

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Confessions of a Surgeon

By: Paul A. Ruggieri MD
Narrated by: Eric Martin
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As an active surgeon and former department chairman, Dr. Paul A. Ruggieri has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of his profession. In Confessions of a Surgeon, he pushes open the doors of the OR and reveals the inscrutable place where lives are improved, saved, and sometimes lost. He shares the successes, failures, remarkable advances, and camaraderie that make it exciting. He uncovers the truth about the abusive, exhaustive training and the arduous devotion of his old-school education. He explores the 24-hour challenges that come from patients and their loved ones; the ethics of saving the lives of repugnant criminals; the hot-button issues of health care, lawsuits, and reimbursements; and the true cost of running a private practice. And he explains the influence of the "white coat code of silence" and why patients may never know what really transpires during surgery. Ultimately, Dr. Ruggieri lays bare an occupation that to most is as mysterious and unfamiliar as it is misunderstood. His account is passionate, illuminating, and often shocking - an eye-opening, never-before-seen look at real life, and death, in the OR.

©2012 Dr. Paul Ruggieri (P)2017 Tantor Emergency & Critical Care Medical Medicine & Health Care Industry Professionals & Academics Science Surgery Health Care Medicine Inspiring Thought-Provoking Medical History

Critic reviews

"An honest and open look into the surgical profession." ( Library Journal)
Insightful Perspective • Personal Stories • Honest Account • Eye-opening Content • Fascinating Insights
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I thought the story would involve more intimacy and dialog. It was just a narrative.

Technical, facts, and truths

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this book provides great insight to the mind of a surgeon. from medical school to an established practice.

great read!

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I am fascinated by doctor’s world and US healthcare system - this book was a wonderful binge - listening on Audible was very easy - great narration

Awesome peek behind curtain

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An interesting insight into the world of surgery - both the good and bad. Recommended listen

Interesting story

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The first thought that this was a book for me was when the medical student faced his first pelvic exam, on a live patient, a model trained for the purpose. The verbal interchange left me wanting more, and interested in seeing what happened next.
The second was the man with a bottle of Old Spice cologne stuck up his rear....... oh, the stories!!
As a person with a forty-year career in a Medical field ( just recently retired), I am an easy touch for a Medical yarn, with a few of my own to contribute.
I highly recommend this story, but be warned that there are both gore, nasty smells, and large helpings of philosophy and American law and jurisprudence.
A WONDERFUL READ!!

Different view- well done, for what it is

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I enjoyed this book. I am a health professional myself, and seem always drawn to insider stories. This is a good one, though not terribly unusual.

Fascinating

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My mind drifts when I'm listening to a book that doesn't interest me. That didn't happen with this audio book. He sounds very truthful about his experiences as a doctor, and I really appreciate that.

Good Book

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As someone who has worked in operating rooms for years, this is an honest perspective held by many surgeons. It demonstrates their humanity in making mistakes but determination to avoid or repair them. It is certainly not your typical hospital drama.

Realistic Perspective

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Ruggieri escorts us down a cold sterile hall to the O.R. as he enters hearing cracking ribs of a blonde boy undergoing CPR greet him as he exclaims “what the hell happened?” How forgoing relationships, romance or fun is common (surgery is a way of life).

Surgery is an exclusive club and the fuel is coffee and fear. Surgeons are the closest things to gods and showing weakness is not an option unless you desire to be devoured. I watched the actions mainly and admired these stone sentinels of self-reliance---who had to be in control of all outcomes.

Ruggieri’s description is symphonic and I find something ambrosial in his ovary exam description being like “a bowl of warm jelly.” The white code of silence is substantive and illustrates why we may desire to consult “pro publica” pre-surgery. Brilliant surgical prose within. Buy it!

What is the white code of silence?

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The whole book was eye opening. I understand my father and the need for perfection in his children. I am a nurse, the book shed light upon many situations.

The realism.

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