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The Prison Doctor + The Prison Doctor : Women Inside - Dr. Amanda Brown

Rating : ★★★★★ / ★★★★★

The Prison Doctor books were by far the most engaging, interesting and insightful books I have read in a long time. The two books tell stories of Dr Amanda Brown working in prisons as a doctor, showing pure, rich emotion and reality.

Would I recommend a read?

TL;DR 100% absolutely! These two books are unlike anything else I have found in this genre ( so far ;) ).

The 'too-long' section:

When my mum first handed me these books, I shoved them right at the bottom of my pile, trying to prioritise the books that 'meant more' or were 'talked about' more in medical student group chats that I am in. I'd never heard of the series and regarded it as less important, as if the idea of working in a prison was a fantasy and the book could not be an actually recollection of stories of inmates. So, when I picked up the book one sunny morning and immediately fell in love, it was a major surprise!

The Prison Doctor (1) is a compilation of stories from a male prison, with Dr Amanda Brown looking into many cases of inmates with an honest and respectful view. One of the most memorable points in the book (in my opinion) is in the very first chapters, when Dr Brown decided to follow her morals instead of pushing them to the side and continuing to work in her GP. This leads to her finding work in a prison, a demanding but somewhat heartfelt experience. Dr Brown writes a moving story for each case, outlining each detail so that as a reader, we know the whole patient. She writes about difficulties the staff and inmates find themselves with, her views of the prison system and her connections with the inmates as their doctor. Definitely an amazing read and I would advise anyone interested to read at least the first book of the two.

The Prison Doctor : Women Inside (2) follows Dr Brown as she moves from the previous male prisons to an all-female prison due to complications with a common drug used in prisons (no spoilers!). This second book does contain many mentions of serious assault, and I believe that this book looks more at the prisoners as people and members of society rather than medicine, though medicine is obviously mentioned. Hearing the perspectives of women in prison, their lives, their crimes and their health is fascinating in almost every way possible.

Overall, these books are my first 5 star read in this series! Easy to read and understand, and a deep breath of fresh air from a stressful life, I could not recommend these books more.

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Complications - Atul Gawande

Rating : ★★★★ / ★★★★★

Complications is a study of the imperfections of science, taking a deep understanding of what could go wrong in the everyday practice of medicine. Atul Gawande is a well-known author in the sector of medicine, and all of his books and well regarded as must-reads!

Would I recommend a read?

TL;DR : yes! This book takes a stance on medical practices that may not be looked upon or possibly 'hidden' beneath the surface, so it is an amazing and easy to understand read for all.

The 'too-long' section:

Gawande takes an honest view of surgery and medicine, recognising that every doctor shares fallibility though society may perceive them as 'needing to be perfect', which is pressuring and simply untrue. Whilst the book may be difficult to grasp at times, the rare perspective of a surgeon is unforgettable, including not only surgeries but other problems that medical professionals may face. It really enforces the point that we are all human, and we all suffer at times. Even the professionals!

All of Gawande's books are impressive and informative, and if you have an interest in this genre, then I am sure that Complications is a perfect fit for you!

Like mentioned in the last review of Do No Harm, reading books like Complications can give you a slight advantage in medical applications as it demonstrates further reading and compassion / dedication for the subject of medicine and views surrounding it. If you are going to include it I would recommend writing about what you learned or found the most interesting! Overall, it is a great read and will give you an insight into the 'real world' of medicine!

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a little update!

Its been a while since I’ve spoken on here, so here’s some things I’ve done since I’ve last posted 🫶

• completed my gold DofE 🌟

such a big achievement for me. all volunteering, skill learning and my expedition done! here’s some photos of my week away on the river 😋

it was so stunning but defo a lot of hard work, between the rowing and the weather, but I was with all the right people which just made it so much better! with my DofE also comes the physical skill, and I’ve managed to absolutely smash my personal best with 7.2k in an hour!

very proud, and I know it’s not perfect but I’ve come a long way and I’m going even further ⭐️ I’m planning to smash forward and sign up for a half marathon in the coming years and I’ve truthfully found love and peace in running!

• published an article 📖

I published a medical article in a magazine! it took a lot of time going back and forth between editing and submitting, then receiving feedback and submitting more drafts. But I did it! I’m so proud of myself and I know I’ve got so much more ahead of me!

• accepted to study (temporarily) with Cambridge 🎓

I haven’t been accepted into Cambridge (yet 🤞), but I applied for multiple of their extra courses (Apply Cambridge, Gonville & Caius Reading groups, CIMR reading research) and have been accepted into all of them!! I’m incredibly grateful to have all of these opportunities and I will take on and learn for my future. thank you again cambridge!!! 😍

• Work experience and volunteering 💕

When I last updated this studyblr, I was really struggling to find some clinical work experience and volunteering placements, but I’ve now got some experience in a GP and some in a hospital nearby planned for later this year. A nearby care home has also offered to take me on for a few hours a week and again I have never been more grateful for this. I might not have been locked in before but I 100% am now!!! 🙏

and again, thank you so much for all the support I’ve received on tumblr so far. thank you all so much for everything you’ve all done for me!

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on a run!

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pretty flowers 🫶

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pretty flowers 🫶

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FINISHING 100 DAYS OF PRODUCTIVITY!

This has been crazy... 100 days straight of work and constant study and it's brought me so far in life and studies. This is gonna be a little reflective post of how this series has impacted me and why it has been so important to me since January of this year.

PROS!

constantly kept me up-to-date, it was like my little public to-do list on my life and what I needed to do in the day

a little diary! whenever I felt terrible for not doing any work, I'd sit and write an entry for this blog and it made me realise that all this work allowed me to have a break every now and then

MOTIVATION! Giving you all a little update on my life motivated me that little be more everyday to keep striving and doing my best

CONS :(

It's easy to get sloppy, there was a few days where I really started to lack and drag behind, but I always wrote down what I did so that I could write it a couple of days later

OVERALL!!

I have absolutely adored doing this series. It has made me so much more confident, happy, self aware. I am so much closer to myself and my studies and I am so unbelievably happy because of it. It's helped me commit more to my work, find what I love and enjoy work.

If you are looking for something to keep you motivated - this is it!!

In terms of the future, I will continue to post every now and then, and perhaps start again in the next academic year! I will be constantly updating studies, posting blogs on my life and continuing to write reviews for books, etc. I'm looking forward to posting my introduction post once my notes for subjects are updated :)

and THANK YOU AGAIN! I couldn't have made it through this whole thing without you guys :)

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day 100/100 of study!

< 11/05/2024 >

finally finished!! I’m going to release something a little longer explaining what went well and what didn’t go so well soon in a longer post!

this isn’t the end yet tho! I don’t know if a 100 days series is completely possible over the holidays but I’ll definitely continue to post about my studies in this beautiful community we’ve created :)

thank you so much for all of your support!! tumblr is the reason I’ve done so well in my studies, so well in my life and why I will continue to do amazing!

thank you so much all ❤️❤️

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day 099/100 of study!

< 10/05/2024 >

so almost there :P

it’s been fun!

[goals]

• maths fots

• finish surgery video

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day 098/100 of study!

< 09/05/2024 >

almost there :))) Failed to post the first time :(

finished abstract of my EPQ!

[goals]

• review abstract + conclusion

• surgery WEX

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day 097/100 of study!

< 08/05/2024 >

had a talk today from a police officer :) was really nice and interesting to hear about perspectives from other professions!!

[goals]

• dysphagia mooc

• Latin ex2

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day 096/100 of study!

< 07/05/2024 >

hello!!! not much to update on today :( Still doing work!!

[goals]

• preread DofE

• read book

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