IR VERDICT:
GAIN WITHOUT PAIN by Greg Hammer, is a self-care book for those in the healthcare field–doctors, nurses, etc–to help prevent burnout, rediscover their reasons for being in their field in the first place, and return to their former love: Healing. GAIN stands for Gratitude, Acceptance, Intention, and Non-judgment. This doctor-to-professional book shares honest, blunt accounts from practicing or retired physicians on why healthcare professionals do what they do, their experiences with depression and apathy, and how to avoid or handle these. Charts, Q&A sessions, lists, and anecdotes make this an easy read. Dr. Hammer even shares his own heartbreaking story. Given that almost every reader has been treated by a doctor at some point, even laypersons can enjoy the book and learn something from it, as can other helping professionals, such as EMT’s, teachers, and therapists. By the end of the book, readers will have an insight into a realization that most tend to forget: Healthcare professionals are human too.