Tuesday, June 03, 2008 Different kind of survival book By Henrylito D. Tacio Health 101
LOOKING for a different kind of book to read this summer? I suggest that you buy a copy of 'Survival Guide for Doctors (And Non-Doctors, Too).' "Around 20 percent of the book is purely for doctors," said its lead author, Dr. Willie T. Ong. "But 80 percent of the contents can be understood by everybody."
Whether you are a journalist searching for some ideas to write, a person looking for a life partner, a student who wants to boost his or memory, a chief executive officer trying to find ways to handle criticisms and intrigues, or having a problem whether you want to stay in the Philippines or live in a foreign land, this book has something for you.
Dr. Ong calls it "five books in one." The first one discusses how you can become successful in your career (whether you are a doctor or non-doctor). The second "book" deals on diagnosis of common health problems. The third "tool," as he terms it in his book, gives ideas on how to understand Philippine health issues. The fourth one discloses secrets on how to lobby and network for a cause while the final "tool" emphasis on how to seek help from Someone Up There.
The book is easy to read. No frails and direct to the point. In some instances, anecdotes were included to fully explain a case or two. Personal experiences were written to drive a point. Quotable quotes abound. As one reviewer puts it: "The book is like a collection of minute-by-minute short stories told from the medical and sometimes, religious, points of view."
Co-authoring the book is his wife, Dr. Anna Liza R. Ong and Dr. Enrico Paolo Banzuela. Television host Boy Abunda wrote the foreword of this book published by Co Tec Tai Medical Museum.
Since the book was written with doctors in mind, Dr. Ong - who works as cardiologist at Manila Doctors Hospital - gives 10 reasons why a person should chooses to become a doctor. Among these are: prestige and respect, power and influence, service to fellowmen, lots of friends (and admirers), and money.
But the book is not only for medical practitioners. Even for those who want to get hitch. For ladies who are in love, the book suggests that they should not show their IQ to their prospects. "Guys admire smart girls but they don't marry them," it says. "If your boyfriend's car broke down and you repaired it, then that's a bow to his ego. Guys are also secretly afraid that they can't get away with their vices with a very smart girl."
Another tip: smile. Studies have shown that the most effective way of attracting the opposite sex is by smiling. In a study of 750 encounters between men and women, 56 percent of conversations were initiated by smiling.
Here's a tip for gentlemen: "Nobody like stingy and thrifty guys. Buy her take-home snacks and volunteer to help in her work." There are more tips you can read in the book, which are very right and true.
There are even survival notes for those who want to be successful public speakers. "Public speaking is an essential component for success in whatever field you choose." The book gives nine timely tips: (1) know your audience and setting; (2) what's in it for the audience; (3) what's in it for you; (4) emotions keep the audience glued; (5) personal storylines to hook your audience; (6) techniques to overcome nervous jitters; (7) tips for advanced speakers; (8) end your speech with a call to action; and (9) forget yourself.
However, the real purpose why Dr. Ong wrote the book was to help those engaged in medical profession. "We wanted to help our struggling health workers who are wavering from leaving or staying in the country," he pointed out. In other words, surviving in the Philippines with what it can offer, financially, morally, and socially.
Every year, about 2,000 doctors leave the country for good. "The figures came as a shock to me," said Dr. Ong. He was concerned that the brain drain would leave the country's millions of poor with no one to turn to for medical treatment.
The survival book is available at the National Bookstores for only P150 a copy.
