Author: Atul Gawande

“Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End” by Atul Gawande is a profound exploration of how modern medicine impacts the end-of-life experience. Here’s a detailed summary and some reviews:

Summary

In “Being Mortal,” Atul Gawande, a practicing surgeon, delves into the limitations of medicine when it comes to aging and death. He argues that while medicine has made significant strides in treating diseases and prolonging life, it often fails to address the quality of life for the elderly and terminally ill. Gawande emphasizes the importance of focusing on well-being rather than merely extending life.

The book is structured around personal stories, including those of Gawande’s own family members, and case studies of patients. Gawande discusses the evolution of elder care, the rise of nursing homes, and the challenges faced by the elderly in maintaining autonomy and dignity. He also explores alternative models of care, such as hospice, which prioritize comfort and quality of life.

Key Themes

1. Medicalization of Aging and Death: Gawande critiques how aging and death have become medicalized processes, often leading to unnecessary suffering.
2. Quality of Life: The book advocates for a shift in focus from merely prolonging life to enhancing the quality of life for patients.
3. Autonomy and Dignity: Gawande highlights the importance of respecting patients’ wishes and maintaining their dignity in their final days.
4. Hospice and Palliative Care: The book explores the benefits of hospice care, which aims to provide a more humane and compassionate approach to end-of-life care.

Reviews

• Goodreads: The book has a high rating of 4.49 out of 5, with over 197,000 ratings and 21,000 reviews. Readers praise Gawande’s compassionate and insightful writing, noting that the book is both deeply moving and thought-provoking².
• Amazon: “Being Mortal” is a #1 New York Times Bestseller and has received numerous positive reviews for its eye-opening research and compelling storytelling. Reviewers appreciate Gawande’s ability to tackle such a difficult subject with grace and empathy6.
• Critics: The book has been lauded by critics for its honest and humane approach to discussing mortality. It has been described as a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of medicine, ethics, and the human experience7.

Overall, “Being Mortal” is a powerful and essential read that challenges us to rethink how we approach the end of life, advocating for a more compassionate and patient-centered approach to care.

Source:
(1) Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End – Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20696006-being-mortal.
(2) Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End. https://www.amazon.com/being-mortal-medicine-what-matters-ebook/dp/b00jcw0bcy.
(3) Being Mortal – Atul Gawande. http://atulgawande.com/book/being-mortal/.
(4) Being Mortal by Atul Gawande Plot Summary – LitCharts. https://www.litcharts.com/lit/being-mortal/summary.
(5) Being Mortal: Illness, Medicine and what Matters in the End – SuperSummary. https://www.supersummary.com/being-mortal-illness-and-medicine-and-what-matters-in-the-end/summary/.
(6) Atul Gawande, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12115-016-0050-4.
(7) Being Mortal Summary – Littler Books. https://littlerbooks.com/summary/being-mortal.
(8) Being Mortal – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Being_Mortal.
(9) Being Mortal : Medicine and What Matters in the End – Google Books. https://books.google.com/books/about/Being_Mortal.html?id=KWchnQAACAAJ.
(10) goodreads.com. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20696006-being-mortal.