3 out of 4 stars
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In Cross Cultural Doctoring: On and Off the Beaten Path, Doctor William LeMaire MD recounts the years the doctor practiced medicine as an obstetrician and gynecologist. His book gives readers insight into his career with short stories about his medical training and experiences as a doctor. Dr. LeMaire shared a number of stories that showed how he faced many of the frustrations that come along with being a medical student, doctor and medical researcher.
The major themes in the book include overcoming challenges and finding creative ways to achieve one’s goals. There are detailed accounts of the many difficulties Dr. LeMaire faced as he earned his medical degree, went through the process to become a licensed medical doctor, experienced the highs and lows of medical research at the University of Miami, and the difficulties that arose when he decided to practice medicine in different areas of the world. He discussed the interactions he had with his patients, trouble he had with culture shock and the difficulty he had coping with different cultural practices as he sought to help patients. Many of the situations he found himself in were very funny although some of them were more serious. The doctor shared some of the wisdom that he gained and reported the regrets that he had about these difficult times.
The main messages in the book include the following: If you decide to be a doctor, be a conscientious doctor; Experience gives you confidence; and, It is possible to combine your personal passion or passions with your work. Dr. LeMaire goes into great detail about exactly how he gained confidence while he trained to become a doctor, overcame his struggles, and described the life changing moment that prompted him to practice medicine in different parts of the world.
I give this book 3 out of 4 stars. I thought it was informative and entertaining but at times, the transition from one story to another was a little bit awkward. In some instances, it was difficult to visualize what Dr. LeMaire talked about because he gave only general descriptions of what the he observed as he traveled. It would have been great if he could have given more detail about the beautiful sights he saw and included the photographs, some, not all, that he described in the book. (You’ll understand what I mean by ‘some not all’ if you decide to read Cross Cultural Doctoring). There were also parts of the story that seemed to be a little bit out of order. This is mainly because Dr. LeMaire recounted experiences that happened many years before he decided to write about them. He apologized for this.
What was really great about Cross Cultural Doctoring is that it is written in a straightforward way, and an average reader would not have any trouble understanding most of the medical terminology and the medical procedures that were described. It’s evident that Dr. LeMaire made a great effort to make it easy for readers to understand the medical terms that were mentioned.
I especially liked the doctor’s descriptions of some of the harrowing dilemmas he faced. Dr. LeMaire account of the first time he had to deliver a baby was surprising. Some of the extraordinary steps he had to take in order to give good care to some of his patients’ were eye-opening, and his recollection of an experience that he had while he investigated an incident at a pharmecutical factory was very thought provoking.
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking about going into the medical field. Dr. LeMaire gives great advice about the actual practice of medicine and provides guidance to pre-med medical students and those who want to become obstetrician/ gynecologists. There is also practical information about what kind of training a person would need in order to practice medicine in different areas of the world.
Although this book seems be directed toward medical students, readers who may be interested in traveling to Africa, Japan, Pakistan, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and the Marshall Islands might find this book helpful. Some of the information that was provided may help travelers navigate these areas. There is a glimpse of what one may experience if he or she chooses to travel to these parts of the world.
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Crosscultural Doctoring. On and Off the Beaten Path
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