As guardians of the nation’s health and well-being, physicians must broaden their horizons beyond medical textbooks and recognize the value of insights from outside medicine to better serve their patients and navigate the complex health care landscape.
This interest in advice, or self-help, books can help transform individual physician practices and support in innovative health care leadership. And as the stethoscope meets the bookshelf, physicians are finding that absorbing penetrating insights from the best advice books can give them a deeper understanding of their roles as decision-makers and influencers in society.
Whether doctors or medical students are in search of books to read for relaxation or to learn more about a particular topic, the AMA “Shadow Me” Specialty Series—which offers advice directly from physicians about life in their specialties—provides some outstanding recommendations.
Here, in alphabetical order by author, are five advice books that AMA members who have participated in the “Shadow Me” Specialty Series recommend reading. Each doctor is from an organization that is part of the AMA Health System Member Program, which provides enterprise solutions to equip leadership, physicians and care teams with resources to help drive the future of medicine.
Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts
By Brené Brown
“I’m a big Brené Brown fan,” said Jill Kacher Cobb, MD, an anesthesiologist and chief wellness officer for Sutter Health. “As physicians, we are all leaders, but we do not get much leadership training in medical school. Her books and TED talks are spot on, and I’ve learned a lot about myself and how to be a leader from her books.”
How to Win Friends and Influence People
By Dale Carnegie
“It is easy to make enemies, but it is harder to make allies and friends,” said Farrah Hafeez, DO, an obesity medicine physician with Henry Ford Health. “Learn how to leverage the skill of connecting with others to succeed in your personal and professional life.”
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know
By Adam Grant, MS, PhD
“It emphasizes a growth mindset and how important it is to approach each situation from multiple different perspectives,” said Rachel Clement, MD, an anesthesiologist at Wenatchee Valley Medical Group, which is part of Confluence Health. “Within anesthesiology, we are compulsive and are certain that our way is the best way, even though we all do things a little differently. Remaining curious rather than rigid not only allows us to learn more, but also creates a culture around you of innovation, improvement and collaboration.”
Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
By Kerry Patterson
“This provides a framework for helping people who disagree but need to work together—for example, you and your patients, you and your colleagues, you and administrators, and you and your family members,” said Jordon Despain, MD, a family physician at Confluence Health.
StrengthsFinder
By Tom Rath, MS
Given to him by his department chair, Carl Lambert, MD, a family physician at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, describes this as “a book about leadership. It's important to know what type of leader you are. Are you a collaborative leader? Are you a dictator or are you authoritative? Are you more data-driven? It's important to know how you're wired so that you can capitalize on your strengths and then work on your weaknesses too.”
For nonfiction recommendations, here are great books hand-picked by physicians for your reading list. And for medical students and physicians who are more interested in reading fiction, here are five fantastic novels doctors recommend.
In addition, these wonderful memoirs offer inspiring accounts of life in medicine.
The AMA Specialty Guide simplifies medical students’ specialty selection process, highlights major specialties, details training information, and provides access to related association information. It is produced by FREIDA™, the AMA Residency & Fellowship Database®.
