My commentaries usually focus on human factors issues and user interface design quality. However, this commentary focuses on Dr. Atul Gawande’s wonderful books about the life and work of a surgeon and the associated topics of physician training, workload, and performance. Simply put, Dr. Gawande’s books are must-reads for individuals involved in medical product design because they offer valuable insights into the physicians’ mindset.

Recently, I recommended Complications to a senior product manager working at a large medical device development company. Shortly thereafter, she told me that she had eagerly passed the recommendation to many others within her company as well as selected it for her book club’s next read. Take that as evidence that Dr. Gawande’s writing about the practice of medicine has viral qualities.

Dr. Gawande is a general surgeon practicing at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s/Falkner Hospitals. The doctor has already received numerous accolades, including the 2006 Genius Award from the American Foundation, for his books and contributions to New Yorker magazine.