Medicine on Fire

About the Book

Discover the profound impact of storytelling and narrative in the medical field with, “Medicine on Fire: A Narrative Travelogue,” by Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA. The book is divided into three sections: Section 1: Narrative of Knowledge Section 2: Narrative of Education, Training & Practice Section 3: Narrative of Illness Through this fascinating collection of essays, clinicians, patients and caregivers will learn about the healing power of writing medical narratives. Drawing from psychiatric practice and encounters with various health systems, Dr. Lazarus provides unique insight into the “medical-industrial complex,” inspiring patients to build repertoires of narratives based on personal interactions with physicians, hospitals and payors. For physicians, this book serves as a primer of narrative medicine and a reminder of the healing benefits of storytelling. The 42 essays explore and articulate important themes impacting contemporary practice, including moral injury, trauma, discrimination, and a devotion to evidenced-based practice to the exclusion of the “art” of medicine. The essays also discuss how to plan for a narrative practice, recognizing that great stories happen to those who tell them.

About the Author

Arthur L. Lazarus, MD, MBA, is a healthcare consultant, certified physician executive, and nationally recognized author, speaker, and champion of physician leadership and wellness. He has broad experience in clinical practice and the health insurance industry, having led programs at Cigna and Humana. At Humana, Lazarus was vice president and corporate medical director of behavioral health operations in Louisville, Kentucky, and subsequently a population health medical director for the state of Florida. Lazarus has also held leadership positions in several pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and AstraZeneca, conducting clinical trials, and reviewing promotional material for medical accuracy and FDA compliance. He has published more than 250 articles in scientific and professional journals and has written five books, including Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome and Related Conditions, Controversies in Managed Mental Health Care, Career Pathways in Psychiatry, MD/MBA: Physicians on the New Frontier of Medical Management, and Every Story Counts: Exploring Contemporary Practice Through Narrative Medicine. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Lazarus attended Boston University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology with Distinction. He received his medical degree with Honors from Temple University School of Medicine, followed by a psychiatric residency at Temple University Hospital, where he was chief resident. After residency, Lazarus joined the faculty of Temple University School of Medicine, where he currently serves as adjunct professor of Psychiatry. He also holds non-faculty appointments as Executive-in-Residence at Temple University Fox School of Business and Management, where he received his MBA degree, and Senior Fellow, Jefferson College of Population Health, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Well known for his leadership and medical management skills, Lazarus is a sought-after presenter, mentor, teacher, and writer. He has shared his expertise and perspective at numerous local, national, and international meetings and seminars. Lazarus is a past president of the American Association for Psychiatric Administration and Leadership, a former member of the board of directors of the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL), and a current member of the AAPL editorial review board. In 2010, the American Psychiatric Association honored Lazarus with the Administrative Psychiatry Award for his effectiveness as an administrator of major mental health programs and expanding the body of knowledge of management science in mental health services delivery systems. Lazarus is among a select group of physicians in the United States who have been inducted into both the Alpha Omega Alpha medical honor society and the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society of collegiate schools of business. Lazarus lives with his wife near Charlotte, North Carolina. They have four adult children. He enjoys walking, biking, playing piano, and listening to music.