Explore The Space Anthony Chin-Quee On “I Can’t Save You”
Jun 29, 2023
Anthony Chin-Quee, an Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon and author of the memoir 'I Can't Save You,' shares insights from his unique medical journey. He discusses his innovative writing style that includes screenplays and poems, revealing the struggle of balancing personal well-being while saving others. Chin-Quee also addresses the lack of financial literacy in medical training and advocates for practical life skills. Plus, he humorously reflects on the emotional challenges of residency, including coping mechanisms like 'empty carbs' during stressful calls.
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Title Is A Self-Addressed Challenge
- Anthony Chin-Quee frames the title I Can't Save You as a statement to himself and his patients.
- The book asks how one learns to save oneself while being expected to save others.
Form Matches Emotional Arc
- Chin-Quee intentionally used eclectic forms (screenplay, poems, footnotes) to mirror his mindset through training.
- The shifting formats help readers experience the emotional evolution rather than a linear timeline.
Book Born Out Of A Low Point
- Chin-Quee decided to write the book during a major depression after failing Step 3 and being in Mexico alone.
- He began taking notes of moments, songs, poems and patient vignettes during the rest of training to craft the memoir later.
