Robin Cook "Crisis"

Original Title: Crisis Author: Robin Cook Year of First Publication: 2006 Genre: Medical Thriller Dr. Craig Bowman is an excellent doctor, deeply devoted to his patients. Some time ago, he began working at an exclusive private clinic. This clinic is a so-called concierge practice, where patients pay a high annual fee in exchange for a guarantee of consistent, reliable medical care whenever they need it, as well as the ability to contact their primary care physician immediately—by phone or email. Working at this type of clinic provided the previously overworked doctor with plenty of free time to pursue his interests while maintaining a steady, high income. At the same time, working with patients who use the services of this type of practice differs significantly from working in public clinics—there is much more time per patient, and far fewer patients remain under the care of a single doctor. All of this makes Dr. Bowman extremely satisfied with his new job. Until—following the death of one of his patients—the doctor is sued by her husband for medical malpractice. Bowman’s wife’s brother is Dr. Jack Stapleton, a forensic pathologist familiar to readers of Cook’s other thrillers. Dr. Bowman’s wife asked her brother for help—to support Dr. Bowman through the grueling trial. Stapleton, determined to rise to the challenge, resolves to solve the mystery of Bowman’s patient’s death. In addition to being a highly engaging thriller with numerous plot twists, the book addresses the issues plaguing healthcare in the U.S. He expresses doubts about whether doctors working in concierge practices adhere to medical ethics, arguing that what the practice offers should be available to every patient without the need to pay exorbitant additional fees. Furthermore, he shows how devastating a malpractice lawsuit can be for a doctor, as it often undermines their entire career and casts serious doubt on all the skills they have acquired.