Mountains Beyond Mountains, Book Review Example

Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracey Kidder provides a fascinating account of the work performed by Dr. Farmer. The author demonstrates the extent to which some physicians dedicate their lives to their work and are not able to rest until they are able to accomplish their goals. Implementing medical care is particularly challenging in underserved areas in which very few of the individuals that live there have adequate training to be able to contribute to the health of their communities. As such, the physicians that intend to remain in these areas must compensate for the lack of assistance they receive in terms of human labor and financial care.

This publication discussed many themes that are common to anatomy and physiology. In particular, Dr. Farmer worked to ensure that patients would thrive, which often meant handling diseases and disorders that other physicians thought to be too cost-effective to address. In particular, anatomy focuses on structural and functional relationships. For example, Dr. Farmer understood the importance of treating diseases like tuberculosis and AIDS in addition to promoting education to members of the population that would help prevent the spread of disease and enhancing the functionality of organs. Combining epidemiology with anatomy and physiology is helpful because studying prevention through education is important. On a functional level, an understanding of anatomy and physiology contributes to the treatment of others. “If you’re making sacrifices, unless you’re automatically following some rule, it stands to reason that you’re trying to lessen some psychic discomfort”. There are many diseases that are preventable, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, and more. By working to prevent this discomfort, we see that Dr. Farmer’s dedication to health is important because it shows us that we do not have to give up on seemingly desperate situations.

Overall, I agree with the actions taken by Dr. Farmer on a personal level. He says, “That’s when I feel most alive, he told me once on an airplane, when I’m helping people.”

It is important for health care professionals to work to support all members of the world’s community, not just those that are rich and would be able to contribute to a high salary. Health disparity is a major problem in the modern world. Even though it exists in our own country, it is also important to consider that it exists throughout the world and that its effects are even more severe abroad.

By understanding the health problems that diverse people experience, we can more effectively contribute to their care. Furthermore, it is important for us to understand that a health problem that seems distant can actually come back and become problematic for us. For example, contamination with the Ebola virus seemed to be a near impossibility in the United States several years ago. Since then, however, we learned that Ebola could cross the borders and impact us as well. Therefore, it is in our best interest to protect the health of people around the world. In doing so, we are not only contributing to a humanitarian effort, we are able to support our own health in the process.

Dr. Farmer provides exemplary care to those he meets and demonstrates that he is not willing to rest until they receive the care they deserve. It is therefore important for modern health care professionals and professionals in training to hold Dr. Farmer as a model for their own practice. By acting in a pure and caring way towards others, we can reasonably dismantle the health problems that exist in the current world. Together, we can fight to win health equality for all.

Works Cited

Kidder, T. Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World. Random House Reader’s Circle, 2009.