Scott Alexander reviews 'House of God', a satirical novel about medical internship that exposed systemic issues in healthcare and influenced real-world changes.
Longer summary
Scott Alexander reviews the novel 'House of God' by Samuel Shem, a satirical and magical realist portrayal of medical internship. The book uses dark humor and exaggeration to highlight the absurdities and ethical dilemmas in the medical system, particularly regarding the treatment of elderly patients. Scott discusses how the book inverts common assumptions about healthcare, its historical impact on medical practices, and its emotional resonance with his own experiences as a doctor.
Shorter summary