Books: The Right Thing? The Life, Travels and Some Revelations of an English Doctor

In Richard Colman’s autobiography a varied and unconventional medical career is recounted. He has been truly bohemian in both his medical and personal life. In a career that offered him many crossroads, he seems always to have taken the route with the most challenging terrain. He steered a course through general practice, holistic and occupational medicine; battled the medical establishment from within and without; and still found time to travel widely and enjoy a fulfilling and successful family life. In this reader’s view he answers his own titular question in 300 enjoyable pages.

Aside from describing an interesting and varied life Colman’s writing offers important insights into the sea change in medical regulation that the last 20 or so years have brought. He describes an initial skirmish with the GMC over advertising, when he perceived that organisation’s veto on reasonable advertising unfairly impeded independent practitioners. He then recounts his time as a member of the GMC with a certain legal bravura. Through Good Medical Practice, the Bristol scandal, and revalidation he is challenging, contrary, and always interesting. These passages are among the most engaging and informative of the book. A man ready to report the President of the GMC to his own organisation is always going to be worth reading. Colman’s reflective final chapters reveal too a man thoughtful and insightful about what he has passed through. His meditations on professionalism and consumerism are especially thought provoking. These chapters would serve well as a model of reflective writing to those currently in general practice training.

The book is not perfect. It is self-published and certain sections would have benefited from professional editing. In particular, he is not particularly revelatory on how his travels have influenced his personal and professional outlook. Occasional diary entries and letters are offered verbatim, adding little to the narrative. In conclusion, this is an interesting book from an unorthodox doctor. One can be certain that the events recounted will be viewed differently by others, not least some of those named in the book. However, as an honest account and a stimulating read, many GPs will enjoy it.

• © British Journal of General Practice 2017