This is Going to Hurt

Lesson 1. Introduction.

The book, ‘This is Going to Hurt’ provides a no-nonsense account of Adam Kay’s time on the National Health Service’s front line. It is hilarious, horrifying, and heartbreaking, all mixed into one. The book can make you laugh out loud, and also feel deeply at the same time.

It provides information about everything you didn’t know or would have wanted to know, about the life of hospital staff. The book is mostly composed of diary entries of Adam Kay, during his medical training under the National Health Service. 

In ‘This is Going to Hurt’, he illustrates his own experiences as a junior doctor. It was widely lauded for the infusion of comedy it had, while also spreading awareness about the lives of junior doctors. 

Many people were surprised to learn about the inside life of a junior doctor and all the ups and downs that they experience. Many were pleased to find out that Adam Kay accomplished this task, while still maintaining his humor throughout the book.

The book advocates the fact that doctors are still humans, like the rest of us. It throws light on the grave situations the doctors have to face every day. Adam writes that doctors need more respect, as they have one of the most physically and mentally demanding professions.

Lesson 2. Quick decisions.

At the age of sixteen, like any other teenager, Adam had to decide on his academic career. He had already made up his mind about what he was interested in. 

He decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a doctor. Starting from 1998, Adam attended the Imperial College in London, located at South Kensington, for six years.

Following that, he began working as a junior doctor. The National Health Service used the name, junior doctors, to represent the doctors who weren’t consultants yet. Back then, the consultant was the highest rank of a doctor. 

To become a consultant, one had to go through a lot of work. Firstly, one had to start as a House Officer. After that, they would hold the post of a Senior House Officer and then, a Registrar, followed by Senior Registrar. 

After working at these four positions, one would earn the chance of becoming a consultant. During day shifts, the house officers had a lot to do. They had to make lots of phone calls, book patient referrals, and book MRI and ECG appointments. 

During the night shifts, the house officers were supposed to take care of