Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-dlnhk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-29T17:13:02.749Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The Voices of Neurosurgeons: Doctors' Non-Medical Writing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 December 2014

Mark Bernstein
Mark Bernstein*
Affiliation:
Division of Neurosurgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

Biomedical publishing is an integral part of medicine—both to those who produce it and those who consume it to improve the care of their patients. Non-medical writing by surgeons usually takes the form of creative non-fiction, generally reflective essays on moving and emotionally charged situations such as working in the trenches in war-time or in natural disasters, or dealing with individual patients. Such writing is both creative and cathartic for neurosurgeons, and can help educate patients thus improving the doctor-patient relationship. The purpose of this article is to encourage fellow neurosurgeons to pursue this enjoyable and valuable endeavour, to utter a call to arms so to speak.

Résumé:

RÉSUMÉ:

La publication biomédicale est une partie intégrale de la médecine, tant pour ceux qui la produisent que pour ceux qui l’utilisent pour améliorer le soin de leurs patients. Les écrits non médicaux de chirurgiens prennent généralement la forme d’essais livrant leurs réflexions sur des situations bouleversantes et pleines d’émotions comme le travail dans les tranchées en temps de guerre ou lors d’un désastre naturel ou sur le soin de patients particuliers. Ces écrits sont créatifs et ils sont également cathartiques pour les neurochirurgiens. Ils peuvent également aider à informer les patients et ainsi améliorer la relation médecin-patient. Le but de cet article est d’encourager mes collègues neurochirurgiens à poursuivre cette activité agréable et utile : c’est en quelque sorte un appel aux armes.

Type
Article Commentary
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 34 , Issue 2 , May 2007 , pp. 121 - 123
Copyright
Copyright © The Canadian Journal of Neurological 2007

References

1. Penfield, W. The torch, Little, Brown, and Company; 1960.Google Scholar
2. Findlay, M. William, M. Lougheed and the development of vascular neurosurgery at the Toronto General Hospital. Can J Neurol Sci. 1993; 20:337–40.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3. Morley, T. Kenneth George McKenzie. Fitzhenry & Whiteside; 2004.Google Scholar
4. Cushing, H. The Life of Sir William Osler. Oxford: Clarendon Press; 1925.Google Scholar
5. Cushing, H. Consecratio Medici. Little, Brown, and Company; 1928.Google Scholar
6. Carson, B, Murphey, C. Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson story. Zondervan; 1996.Google Scholar
7. Penfield, W. No man alone: A surgeon’s life. Little, Brown, and Company; 1977.Google Scholar
8. Sharpe, W. Brain Surgeon. Viking; 1952.Google Scholar
9. Turnbull, FA. Operating on the frontier: Memoirs of a pioneering Canadian neurosurgeon. Capilano Publishing, 1995.Google Scholar
10. Sachs, O. Uncle Tungsten. Knopf; 2001.Google Scholar
11. Kline, DG. Inside and somewhat outside charity. J Neurosurg. 2007; 106:180–8.Google Scholar
12. Bernstein, M. A good addiction. The Globe and Mail. 2005 Apr 1; p. A22.Google Scholar
13. Bernstein, M. Neurosurgical nausea. Maclean’s. Vol 116, 2003 Oct 20; p. 64.Google Scholar
14. Jefferson, G. On being happy and liking it. Br Med Soc J. 1951; 6:3–4.Google Scholar
15. Verghese, A. The physician as storyteller. Ann Int Med. 2001; 135:1012–17.Google Scholar
16. Bernstein, M. The drop attack. Can Med Assoc J. 2005; 172:668–9.Google Scholar
17. Bernstein, M. Her little hands. The Medical Post. Vol 39, 2003 Sept 30; p. 27.Google Scholar
18. Bernstein, M. $250. cell2soul, Vol 1, Number 4, 2005.Google Scholar
19. Firlik, K. Another day in the frontal lobe: A brain surgeon exposes life on the inside. Random House; 2006.Google Scholar
20. Flitter, M. Judith’s Pavilion: The haunting memoirs of a neurosurgeon. Warner Books; 1998.Google Scholar
21. Vertosick, FT. When the air hits your brain. Fawcett; 1997.Google Scholar
22. Gawande, A. Complications. Metropolitan Books; 2002.Google Scholar
23. Hilfiker, D. Healing the wounds. Creighton University Press; 1998.Google Scholar
24. Goel, A, Editor. Doctors do cry. Paras Medical Publishers; 2005.Google Scholar
25. Lam, V. Bloodletting and Miraculous Cures. Doubleday Canada; 2006.Google Scholar
26. Johnston, P. On the trail of Leonardo. Can Med Ass J. 1998; 158:777–9.Google Scholar
27. Salcman, M. The cure of folly or the operation for the stone by Hieronymous Bosch (c. 1450-1516). Neurosurgery. 2006; 59:935–7.Google Scholar
28. Woodford, G. Sculpting neurosurgeon breaks the mould. National Review of Medicine. Vol 2, Number 18. 2005 Oct 30.Google Scholar
29. Mendez, I. Bolivia. Glen Margaret Publishing; 2006.Google Scholar
30. Siddiqi, J. In their hands. Thieme; 2002.Google Scholar
31. Popp, AJ. Music, musicians, and the brain: an exploration of musical genius. J Neurosurgery. 2004; 101:895–903.Google Scholar
32. Berton, P. The joy of writing. Anchor Canada; 2003.Google Scholar
33. Burnham, S. For writers only. Ballantine Books; 1994.Google Scholar
34. Rand, A. The art of nonfiction. A guide for readers and writers. Plume; 2001.Google Scholar