ALIVE

With special guest:

• Dr Gabriel Weston
  … in conversation with Bill Kable
  

In her absorbing new book called ALIVE Doctor Gabriel Weston looks in admiration at the incredible work 11 organs of our body do to keep us alive. Gabriel tells us that if the space permitted she would have liked to examine at least another 14 organs but we do get to investigate the most interesting.

Somehow Gabriel manages to talk about body parts without making even the most squeamish feel uncomfortable. This is clear when the book begins with a post mortem description that is very detailed. Gabriel is also able to deal with the genitals in a very matter of fact way that generates more light than heat.

What comes out most strongly in ALIVE is the sense of wonder that Gabriel feels when describing what the organs of the body do. Gabriel first felt this as a child when she was likely to go towards an accident or medical emergency. The feeling grew when she was invited to attend a surgical procedure but seemed thwarted when her maths and science abilities were not up to the standard required for entry into medical studies.

So Gabriel studied the subject she was good at namely English literature. Luckily for all of us she found a way into medicine and found her true calling.

When thinking about her colleagues Gabriel is full of admiration for the highly skilled work by specialist surgeons in the area of kidneys and of course brain surgery. Interestingly Gabriel notes that when things do go wrong and doctors find themselves called the Defendant in a court case the reason in over 90% of cases is not to do with how the treatment was administered. The problem is communication with patients.

If only doctors knew better how to explain the diagnosis, the proposed treatment, the risks and generally, collaborated more with their patients. This situation has been exacerbated with the availability of Google which provides so much general information that patients may have an expectation before the first consultation. Some doctors feel threatened by the more informed patient but they should learn to work with the patient for the best outcome.

When you read this book you may choose to go straight to your favourite which might be the brain, the breasts, the heart, or perhaps the genitals. One thing for sure is that you will be fascinated by what you discover and you will get to share the sense of wonder exhibited by Doctor Weston.

Dr Gabriel Weston

Gabriel Weston was born in 1970. She went to Edinburgh University to read English and from there to medical school in London. Gabriel graduated as a doctor in 2000 and became a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in 2003. Dr Weston now works as a part-time skin cancer surgeon. Gabriel first became well known for her work in the BBC series Trust Me, I’m a Doctor with the late Michael Moseley. Her debut book, Direct Red, was a Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller. Gabriel’s new book is called ALIVE.

Song selection by our guest: Get Ur Freak On by Missy Elliott

Podcast (mp3)