Unnatural causes

Dr Richard Shepherd has performed over 23000 autopsies and this book is about the ones that have haunted him most and the toll they had in his mental health. Not recommended if you have a weak stomach!

I devoured this book in a matter of days, not only because the cases/deaths described were extremely interesting from a clinical point of view (some of them from a social/public view also), but also due to the focus on mental health that was a constant throughout the book.

This book came to my mind recently after seeing Dr Shepherd on a training video at my new job. His account on how his job affected his mental health reminded me of my time in clinical a setting and of all of my fellow friends that still work in a hospital and were the ones on the front line during the pandemic. 

For those working in healthcare, it can be easy to forget that our brains weren't made to see dead bodies on a daily basis and after some time it can become quite overwhelming. Specially with the current situation and with the threat of a second wave of COVID-19 coming, it is important to stop to think if we are in the right place and stop being afraid of asking for help (a pint of beer is not proper help, although in some cases it can help to get rid of the stress!) 

When I had my Advanced Life Support course we were told that the first pulse to be checked is our own. Only then, we can go and care for our patients.