Complications by Atul Gawande: A Fascinating Dive into the Imperfect World of Medicine

I’ve been meaning to get around to reading Complications by Atul Gawande for years. After absolutely loving The Checklist Manifesto (which, despite the title, is one of my favourite books ever), I knew I had to explore the rest of his books. Diving into Complications felt long overdue, and I’m so glad I did.

Why I Loved It

1. Gawande’s writing makes complex medical concepts easy to grasp – it’s accessible without feeling dumbed-down.
   
2. The blend of personal anecdotes, patient stories and medical insights kept me completely engaged.
   
3. His honesty about the imperfections in medicine – and doctors themselves – felt refreshingly candid and deeply thought-provoking.

My Reflection

I found Complications to be an eye-opening read. Gawande’s exploration of medical errors, uncertainty in diagnoses, and the learning curve doctors face was fascinating. He doesn’t shy away from the messiness of medicine, which made the book feel all the more authentic.

I think my favourite chapter was “The Case of the Red Leg”. In this case, Gawande uses the story of a patient with a very rare, very deadly flesh eating bacteria to discuss the uncertainty at the heart of doctors’ work and to expose the human processes by which doctors make decisions. As a certified armchair doctor, through my addiction to Grey’s Anatomy, I remember shouting as I was reading it, ‘It’s necrotising fasciitis”!

It’s clear throughout the book that Gawande is extremely compassionate and deeply compassionate for patient care – but I think this was extremely evident in the chapter on obesity and gastric bypass procedures. It’s a really refreshing stance from a doctor, and made me, in turn, more sympathetic to those who struggle with obesity.

Would I Recommend It?

Yes! If you’re intrigued by the inner workings of a hospital, the ethical dilemmas doctors face, or just love non-fiction that blends science with storytelling, this book is well worth your time. And if, like me, you loved The Checklist Manifesto, this is a natural next step in exploring Gawande’s insightful writing.