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Kill as Few Patients as Possible: And Fifty-Six Other Essays on How to Be the World's Best Doctor Hardcover – April 1, 2008

by Oscar London (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 296 ratings
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This oft-quoted all-time favorite of the medical community will gladden--and strengthen--the hearts of patients, doctors, and anyone entering medical study, internship, or practice. With unassailable logic and rapier wit, the sage Dr. Oscar London muses on the challenges and joys of doctoring, and imparts timeless truths, reality checks, and poignant insights gleaned from 30 years of general practice--while never taking himself (or his profession) too seriously.

The classic book on the art and humor of practicing medicine, celebrating its 20th anniversary in a new gift edition with updates throughout. Previous editions have sold more than 200,000 copies. The perfect gift for med students and grads as well as new and practicing physicians. Approximately 17,000 students graduate from med school each spring in North America.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    120 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Ten Speed Press
  4. Publication date
    April 1, 2008
  5. Dimensions
    5.42 x 0.59 x 7.35 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1580089178
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1580089173
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

* The perfect gift for med students and grads as well as new and practicing physicians.

About the Author

OSCAR LONDON, MD, is the pseudonym of an internist who practiced in Berkeley, California, for 30 years His humorous essays appeared regularly in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ten Speed Press; 2nd edition (April 1, 2008)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 120 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1580089178
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1580089173
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 6.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.42 x 0.59 x 7.35 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 296 ratings

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Oscar London

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
296 global ratings
THIS BOOK will shake off your angst to healthcare providers.
5 Stars
THIS BOOK will shake off your angst to healthcare providers.
I read this in one sitting and laughed out loud. Frequently.As a burnt out RN BSN this revived my inner compassion through humor.MUST READ!!!
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Top reviews from the United States

unlistedandtwistedblog
5.0 out of 5 stars Quick, Easy Read Written by an Anal Retentive Doctor!
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2024
Verified Purchase
I first saw this book left out by someone I work with at my job. The title made me laugh. The essays are quick and easy to read, though I don't disagree with everything the "World's Greatest Doctor" says. It's a great gift for healthcare workers. I just hope they don't take all this one doctor's advice...
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S Thomas Allred
5.0 out of 5 stars The most valuable medical “textbook” I own
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2022
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Having been a practicing physician for almost 50 years I can testify with all sincerity that this is the most valuable medical “textbook” that I own. Each of the 56 pithy essays contains a valuable lesson, expressed humorously, on how to conduct your life and your practice as a physician (or physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner, etc.). These are all the invaluable lessons they didn’t teach you in medical school (I should know - I used to be a professor!). It is a MUST READ!
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Shilo
4.0 out of 5 stars Short and to the point.
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2015
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Bought this as a gift for one of the doctors I work with, but I cheated and read it first. Very enjoyable, short (1-2 page) chapters. Clever and thought-provoking at the same time. The perfect bathroom reader.
6 people found this helpful
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GirlScoutDad
5.0 out of 5 stars Doc, It Only Hurts When I Laugh ....
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2012
Verified Purchase
....if so, then this book will cause you a some serious pain! The pseudonymous "Oscar London" is not only a great and funny writer, but almost certainly an excellent doctor as well. And like all good humor, there are also profound truths buried within (well, okay, maybe the term "buried" isn't the best word to use in describing a book on doctoring). In this book, you can see Dr. London, with wit, comedy, tragedy, or irony, tackling all the very serious issues that stress out doctors and push lesser healers into burnout, addiction, or depression. Medical errors, insurance hassles, predatory "financial advisers", professional jealousy, doctor-nurse relations, difficult diagnoses, malpractice attorneys, incompetent medical students, long-winded patients, pill-seeking addicts: Dr. London has seen it all, and has a humorous or insightful take on it that will amuse all and help physicians cope with the significant stressors of practicing medicine. As a practicing physician, I think this hilarious little book is up there among the best books anywhere about not merely being a doctor, but becoming a good (or great) doctor.
17 people found this helpful
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Kenneth
5.0 out of 5 stars An oldie \ goodie updated
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2009
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The old version that I first loved was wonderful but in a bit of a cheap paperback perfect bound thing. This edition is a much more substantial, much more "stick it on the shelf next to the toilet and read during quality time" feel to it. If you are a patient, don't read this. Give it to your doctor, particularly if you hate him - because he or she just might die of laughter. There is humor but also wisdom and poignancy. It is more of a "must read" for doctors than Netter's Anatomy. The only con - I wonder why the author changed the content of the chapter "when you do something so terrible to die over, don't." The original story left an indelible mark and was what I felt the most powerful moment in the book. The chapter that replaced it was insipid and uninspired.
3 people found this helpful
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Joao Miguel Oliveira
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2011
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In one word this book is hilarious (although excellent is another word that comes to mind).

I don't agree with every piece of advice given but I admire Dr. London for not being afraid of going against common sense ethics and giving information that can actually be used.

The views are fresh, well written and humorous. A book anyone involved in the health industry should read.
6 people found this helpful
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amivan
5.0 out of 5 stars A brief but immensely entertaining read
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2020
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It's now getting passed around my residency program; I hope patients don't freak out when they see all of us reading this book.
One person found this helpful
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Karen Shroyer
3.0 out of 5 stars Book jacket was dirty
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2019
Verified Purchase
Book itself was nice but the book jacket came with stains all over it. Wouldn’t mind if it was for myself but bought it as a gift so I’m disappointed.
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Karen Shroyer
3.0 out of 5 stars Book jacket was dirty
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2019
Book itself was nice but the book jacket came with stains all over it. Wouldn’t mind if it was for myself but bought it as a gift so I’m disappointed.
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One person found this helpful
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Uwe Manthei
5.0 out of 5 stars Deep humor
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2022
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I chose this book as gift for a newly minted consultant
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Barine
4.0 out of 5 stars Arrivé sale
Reviewed in France on December 18, 2020
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Arrivé avec des traces noires sur la jaquette. Bon état général sinon.
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Barine
4.0 out of 5 stars Arrivé sale
Reviewed in France on December 18, 2020
Arrivé avec des traces noires sur la jaquette. Bon état général sinon.
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Dr. Tim Parker
5.0 out of 5 stars A classic about doctors making fun of themselves
Reviewed in Canada on July 10, 2014
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I'm retired from the medical field now, but still I will be bringing a slightly skewed view to this review. This book is not new: I remember hearing about it two decades ago, but only recently bought it. What this book is about is the doctor (and, to a wider degree, anyone in the medical profession), from our own point of view. This isn't a doctor going on about patient stories and how silly they are, about the hypochondriacs that clog our systems, or about the silly things we see. This is about doctors making fun of other doctors!

For the doctor reading this book, we'll recognize a lot of the sense of humour that comes from long hours, frustrating patients, annoying bureaucracy, pushy company reps, nurses who seem bent on getting revenge for something we did, students who think they know everything, and so on. A lot of this just hits home to just about every medical professional, and there's the humour underlyign everything. But more importantly for those who understand, this is a guide to being a better doctor: how to handle those troublesome patients, deal with the moody staff, and so on. It's about moving from a good doctor to a great doctor, without getting a lecture!

For the non-doctor, you'll see the book from a slightly different viewpoint. You'll see a doctor poking fun at himself and the whole profession, pointing out the mistakes we all make, the silly things we do to shut patients up or because we have no clue but don't want to say that, and so on. You'll find the stories amusing too, perhaps even more than a medical person will because we've been through this and bring a jaundiced eye to the same situations, whereas you'll get it fresher and more unusual! You'll also learn the difference between a good doctor and a great doctor, and be able to recognize them when you encounter them.

This is, simply put, a classic in the medical field. It is a diagnostic book in one sense: it helps us diagnose who's bad, who's good, and who's great. And most doctors do want to be great. If nothing else, it underlies the importance of a sense of humour, something doctors need even more than others due to the stresses and working conditions. While some of his stories are a bit dated now, and some of his "advice" may not be current today, there's a lot to enjoy in this book. This is a quick read: you can polish the book off in a couple of hours, but it's a very enjoyable few hours! Recommended for non-quacks, and mandatory for quacks!
4 people found this helpful
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Nat
5.0 out of 5 stars Super Geschenk für angehende Ärzte
Reviewed in Germany on February 16, 2015
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Kam bei einem Medizin-Studenten sehr gut an. Nette Anekdoten aus dem Leben eines Arztes mit guten Tipps, wie man manche Situationen meistern kann.
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SRM
5.0 out of 5 stars Great gift for doctors
Reviewed in Canada on February 6, 2019
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Christmas gift for my gp, he loved it.
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