Dr. Jane Philpott, Amie Archibald-Varley, Dr. Sheila Singh and Sara Fung joined 170 book lovers at the White Coat, Black Art Book Talk at Hamilton Public Library's central branch. A single book can have the power to help us heal. A panel of celebrated physicians and nurses, along with members of the audience, weigh in on the books that inspired them at a live event recorded at Hamilton’s Central Library, hosted by Dr. Brian Goldman.
"We need more spaces like libraries, like parks – even our health centres, I think, can be much more open spaces where people can gather together."Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science, published by surgeon Dr. Atul Gawande in 2002, examines the uncertainty that plagues medical practitioners – including how much input patients should have in their care, as well as how young doctors can gain experience without harming lives.
To reduce complications, Singh and her team proposed moving shunt surgeries earlier in the day, when operating rooms are at their cleanest, and placing a surgery-in-progress sign on operating room doors. "I think really, when it comes down to it, it's because we don't know how to set boundaries with other people … and so this book really spoke to me."offers readers honest, personal stories from her own life, providing guidance on how to adapt to change.
"I had the firsthand experience of feeling what my breath can do for my health, for my quality of life, my energy and my passions," said Chris Eddy, an audience member at the library event who recommended the book.Eddy read the book while he was transitioning from a corporate job.