An illuminating, educational, and graphically descriptive tour of trauma centers and surgeons’ role within the health care system. The author’s seasoned perspective joins with real-time medical drama in this memorable clinical retrospective. A well-balanced, eye-opening glimpse into the daily life, frustrations, and politics of a medical professional.”—Kirkus Reviews "Get ready for a rollercoaster ride through the electrifying world of trauma surgery. This book is a heart-pounding journey that sheds light on the demanding and chaotic life of trauma surgeons. With real stories that are both heart-wrenching and eye-opening, it delves into the rigorous training, the relentless pursuit of expertise, and the daily battles against life-threatening injuries. All Bleeding Stops is a riveting, fun, and deeply insightful read that will keep you on the edge of your seat."—Peter Rhee M.D., author of Trauma Red: The Making of a Surgeon in War and in America's Cities “An excellent book about the life of the trauma surgeon. The reader is exposed to myriad stories about patients for whom Dr. Cohn has cared. Cohn goes beyond these vignettes and discusses the cost of medical school, the cost of the American healthcare system, the rigors of resident surgeon training, the state of trauma care in the United States, and the progress of surgical and medical care over the last 40 years. A compelling and enjoyable read.”—Stephen Heard, M.D.; Professor and Chair Emeritus, Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
“Dr. Cohn welcomes the reader into the rarefied world of the trauma surgeon, a world filled with high drama, elation, and pathos. He skillfully weaves numerous tales from his storied career with thoughtful discussions of public health, public policy, and ethical issues. The book will interest everyone who enjoys fast-paced stories of surgical derring-do told in the context of the complex social and political questions of the day.”—William Schecter, M.D., FACS, Professor of Clinical Surgery, Emeritus, University of California, San Francisco “Dr. Cohn’s book is a profound exploration of the world of trauma surgery. He masterfully encapsulates the demanding and often life-saving efforts that trauma surgeons undertake daily, shedding light on the trials and tribulations that are an integral part of our profession. Through his vivid and compassionate storytelling, he eloquently illustrates how the actions of one skilled doctor, and their team, can make a difference in the lives of trauma patients and their families. This book serves as an inspiring reminder of the impact that healthcare professionals can have on the world, one patient at a time.”—Suresh Mitu Agarwal, MD, Division Chief, Trauma, Acute & Critical Care Surgery, Duke UniversityMedical Center “I learned so much from this book. I believe that it should be required reading for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of traumatology or looking for inspiration.”—Sanjeev Kaul, M.D., FACS, Former Chief of Trauma Surgery, Hackensack UniversityMedical Center “All Bleeding Stops provides a glimpse into the profession of Trauma Surgery like no other. Through rich storytelling, based on his many years of experience, Dr. Stephen Cohn shares the highs and lows of providing care for patients with life threatening injuries and the rich reward of training the next generation. He also highlights the important mission that trauma surgeons have to extend our influence beyond the operating room—to support the development of injury prevention programs and serve as advocates for our patients.”—Eileen Bulger, MD FACS, Professor and Chief of the Division of Trauma, Burns, and Critical Care, Department of Surgery, University of Washington; Surgeon-in-Chief, Harborview Medical Center
2023-10-05
A veteran surgeon recounts what makes his career in critical care both rewarding and frustrating.
Cohn chronicles the joys and pains of his work as a trauma surgeon in an illuminating, educational, and graphically descriptive tour of trauma centers and surgeons’ role within the health care system. The author analyzes what makes a good trauma surgeon and creatively re-creates the arduous path toward becoming one—from a “long and grueling course of training” to hospital settings, where they are the “utility infielders for surgical emergencies.” Cohn discusses the differences in trauma care centers across the globe, and he describes his time as a junior surgical faculty member in the U.S. Army Reserve in the 1980s. In 1990, he was unexpectedly deployed to Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm. The author remarks that not every medical student in training has what it takes to be a trauma care professional. Patience, surgical agility, and rapid decision-making are crucial. Many times, surgeons like himself (and his father) often made decisions without prior knowledge of a patient’s medical history or sustained injuries. Throughout the book, Cohn vividly illustrates these fraught, lifesaving moments. The author also intersperses patient care cases from his longstanding career, during which he had to cope with issues of improper protocol, the misconceptions of a surgeon’s “technical brilliance,” and episodes involving complicated gall bladders, hernias, stomach blockages, and other clinical conundrums. In addition to his personal story, Cohn delivers striking medical statistics on the prevalence of U.S. trauma incidents (100 million per year) and criticizes rising health care costs and how public health policies, gun laws, and poor ethics contribute to legions of disillusioned physicians and dissatisfied patients. The author’s seasoned perspective joins with real-time medical drama in this memorable clinical retrospective.
A well-balanced, eye-opening glimpse into the daily life, frustrations, and politics of a medical professional.
