In a world with so many books and so little time, finding the best book that is useful to your practice and life can be challenging. The Dermatologist reached out to dermatologists and asked them what books influenced them and what books they would suggest other dermatologists make time to read.
Here are some highlights.
The Benefits of Reading
Studies have shown that reading literary fiction enhances the ability to detect and understand other people’s emotions, an integral skill in social relationships.1,2 Other studies have shown that reading can increase cognitive abilities and analytical thinking,3 and reduce stress,4 among other benefits.
“Physicians are judged by patients for outcomes that sometimes seem irrelevant to us as we focus on disease states, providing cures, and improving the metrics of illness—but in their experience it is likely about the humanity we exhibit and caring about them as individuals,” said Justin Leitenberger, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR.
“I have begun to read literature more fervently and routinely. The benefits have been enormous as more exposure to stories, cultures, and history deepens the understanding of our human condition. I love sharing novels with family, friends, and colleagues. It has also improved my ability to write effectively and communicate in oral presentations, which has improved my professional satisfaction,” he explained.
Finding Balance
Benjamin Barankin MD, FRCPC, section editor of The Dermatologist’s Perspectives column and a dermatologist in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is the author-editor of 7 books in dermatology and is widely published in the dermatology and humanities literature. He suggested dermatologists read Who Will Cry When You Die or The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari (Figures 1 and 2).
Figures 1 and 2. Who Will Cry When You Die or The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.
“These books by Robin Sharma will help readers better appreciate what the important things in life truly are, and how to take the right steps to really start living. Writing your eulogy now and then living backwards from that is but one example of a useful exercise,” he said.
Dr Barankin also recommended Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty by Harvey Mackay (Figure 3). “This is the only book on networking you’ll ever need. While people in business and sales are well aware of the importance of networking, physicians in general are not. This is a terrific guide to being an authentic networker, which is useful for both personal and professional purposes, and it will truly open your eyes to the power of networking for all people. He starts out the book with a great scenario which is to ask, ‘How many people can you call up in the middle of the night who would bail you out of a difficult or expensive situation?’” he said.
Look for the next installment of this series.
References
1. Kidd DC, Castano E. Reading literary fiction improves theory of mind. Science. 2013;342(6156):377-380.
2. Gabriel S, Young AF. Becoming a vampire without being bitten: the narrative collective-assimilation hypothesis. Psychol Sci. 2011;22(8):990-994.
3. Cunningham A, Stanovich KE. What reading does for the mind. American Educator. 1998; 22(1-2):8-15.
4. Lewis D. Galaxy Commissioned Stress Research. Mindlab International, Sussex University. 2009.
In a world with so many books and so little time, finding the best book that is useful to your practice and life can be challenging. The Dermatologist reached out to dermatologists and asked them what books influenced them and what books they would suggest other dermatologists make time to read.
Here are some highlights.
The Benefits of Reading
Studies have shown that reading literary fiction enhances the ability to detect and understand other people’s emotions, an integral skill in social relationships.1,2 Other studies have shown that reading can increase cognitive abilities and analytical thinking,3 and reduce stress,4 among other benefits.
“Physicians are judged by patients for outcomes that sometimes seem irrelevant to us as we focus on disease states, providing cures, and improving the metrics of illness—but in their experience it is likely about the humanity we exhibit and caring about them as individuals,” said Justin Leitenberger, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR.
“I have begun to read literature more fervently and routinely. The benefits have been enormous as more exposure to stories, cultures, and history deepens the understanding of our human condition. I love sharing novels with family, friends, and colleagues. It has also improved my ability to write effectively and communicate in oral presentations, which has improved my professional satisfaction,” he explained.
Finding Balance
Benjamin Barankin MD, FRCPC, section editor of The Dermatologist’s Perspectives column and a dermatologist in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is the author-editor of 7 books in dermatology and is widely published in the dermatology and humanities literature. He suggested dermatologists read Who Will Cry When You Die or The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari (Figures 1 and 2).
Figures 1 and 2. Who Will Cry When You Die or The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.
“These books by Robin Sharma will help readers better appreciate what the important things in life truly are, and how to take the right steps to really start living. Writing your eulogy now and then living backwards from that is but one example of a useful exercise,” he said.
Dr Barankin also recommended Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty by Harvey Mackay (Figure 3). “This is the only book on networking you’ll ever need. While people in business and sales are well aware of the importance of networking, physicians in general are not. This is a terrific guide to being an authentic networker, which is useful for both personal and professional purposes, and it will truly open your eyes to the power of networking for all people. He starts out the book with a great scenario which is to ask, ‘How many people can you call up in the middle of the night who would bail you out of a difficult or expensive situation?’” he said.
Look for the next installment of this series.
References
1. Kidd DC, Castano E. Reading literary fiction improves theory of mind. Science. 2013;342(6156):377-380.
2. Gabriel S, Young AF. Becoming a vampire without being bitten: the narrative collective-assimilation hypothesis. Psychol Sci. 2011;22(8):990-994.
3. Cunningham A, Stanovich KE. What reading does for the mind. American Educator. 1998; 22(1-2):8-15.
4. Lewis D. Galaxy Commissioned Stress Research. Mindlab International, Sussex University. 2009.
In a world with so many books and so little time, finding the best book that is useful to your practice and life can be challenging. The Dermatologist reached out to dermatologists and asked them what books influenced them and what books they would suggest other dermatologists make time to read.
Here are some highlights.
The Benefits of Reading
Studies have shown that reading literary fiction enhances the ability to detect and understand other people’s emotions, an integral skill in social relationships.1,2 Other studies have shown that reading can increase cognitive abilities and analytical thinking,3 and reduce stress,4 among other benefits.
“Physicians are judged by patients for outcomes that sometimes seem irrelevant to us as we focus on disease states, providing cures, and improving the metrics of illness—but in their experience it is likely about the humanity we exhibit and caring about them as individuals,” said Justin Leitenberger, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, OR.
“I have begun to read literature more fervently and routinely. The benefits have been enormous as more exposure to stories, cultures, and history deepens the understanding of our human condition. I love sharing novels with family, friends, and colleagues. It has also improved my ability to write effectively and communicate in oral presentations, which has improved my professional satisfaction,” he explained.
Finding Balance
Benjamin Barankin MD, FRCPC, section editor of The Dermatologist’s Perspectives column and a dermatologist in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is the author-editor of 7 books in dermatology and is widely published in the dermatology and humanities literature. He suggested dermatologists read Who Will Cry When You Die or The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari (Figures 1 and 2).
Figures 1 and 2. Who Will Cry When You Die or The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.
“These books by Robin Sharma will help readers better appreciate what the important things in life truly are, and how to take the right steps to really start living. Writing your eulogy now and then living backwards from that is but one example of a useful exercise,” he said.
Dr Barankin also recommended Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty by Harvey Mackay (Figure 3). “This is the only book on networking you’ll ever need. While people in business and sales are well aware of the importance of networking, physicians in general are not. This is a terrific guide to being an authentic networker, which is useful for both personal and professional purposes, and it will truly open your eyes to the power of networking for all people. He starts out the book with a great scenario which is to ask, ‘How many people can you call up in the middle of the night who would bail you out of a difficult or expensive situation?’” he said.
Look for the next installment of this series.
References
1. Kidd DC, Castano E. Reading literary fiction improves theory of mind. Science. 2013;342(6156):377-380.
2. Gabriel S, Young AF. Becoming a vampire without being bitten: the narrative collective-assimilation hypothesis. Psychol Sci. 2011;22(8):990-994.
3. Cunningham A, Stanovich KE. What reading does for the mind. American Educator. 1998; 22(1-2):8-15.
4. Lewis D. Galaxy Commissioned Stress Research. Mindlab International, Sussex University. 2009.
