This book investigates the historical evolution of the doctor-patient relationship and the factors contributing to the modern decline in mutual trust. Edward Shorter, a historian of medicine, utilizes a combination of clinical records, patient narratives, and historical analysis to trace how medical practice shifted from a personal, bedside-oriented craft to a detached, technology-driven industry. He argues that the current disillusionment felt by both parties is a direct result of structural changes in medical education and the professionalization of the healthcare field.

Experts recognize this work as a significant contribution to the social history of medicine, noting its ability to synthesize complex institutional changes into a readable narrative. Readers frequently highlight the author's use of primary source anecdotes as a key strength in grounding his broader sociological arguments.