Being Mortal: A Review Of Atul Gawande's Book On Illness, Medicine & What Matters In The End

Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End is an eye-opening exploration of modern healthcare and its effects on our mortality. Through stories from his own experiences as a surgeon, as well as interviews with other medical professionals, Gawande examines how modern medicine often fails to address our most pressing needs when facing life’s end. In Being Mortal, he offers poignant insights into the importance of quality care for those nearing death, and the need for meaningful conversations about our wishes and values while we still have time.

Table of Contents

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End Review

Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End dives into the modern medical world to explore what it means to live and die with dignity. Drawing from his own experience as a doctor, Gawande examines the possibilities of extending life while preserving quality of life, and he offers inspiring stories of how people navigate their way through difficult decisions. With an eye-opening look at end-of-life care, this book will leave you with a better understanding of what matters most when facing mortality.

Key Features:

Explores the human side of medicine: Gawande looks at the medical industry from both a scientific and personal perspective, examining modern treatments for serious illness.

Provides insight into end-of-life care: From hospice care to assisted living, this book sheds light on options available for people approaching death.

Offers perspective on aging: By looking at different cultures and practices around the world, Being Mortal gives readers a new appreciation for aging and mortality.

Includes inspiring stories of patients: This book includes real-life examples that illustrate how people have faced mortality with grace and strength.

Product Details

Product Name	Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End
Author	Atul Gawande
Genre	Nonfiction, Health & Medicine, Medical Education
Published Date	October 7, 2014
Pages	272 pages
Publisher	Metropolitan Books (October 7, 2014)
Language	English
ISBN-10	1250081246
ISBN-13	978-1250081245

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End Pros and Cons

1. Pros
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding what the end of life can look like. The author, Atul Gawande, is an acclaimed surgeon, professor, and author who tackles difficult topics with sensitivity and grace. He offers a valuable perspective on the importance of autonomy in decision-making and how we can best prepare for our eventual mortality. Being Mortal provides useful insight into how to best care for those at the end of life and how to approach death from both medical and philosophical angles.

2. Cons
The main downside to Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End is that it may be difficult for some readers to contemplate these heavy topics. Death is a difficult subject to discuss, but Gawande handles it with thoughtfulness and compassion. Additionally, some readers might find the book’s length intimidating; however, readers are sure to find invaluable knowledge within its pages that will help them better understand their own mortality and those of their loved ones.

Who are They for

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End is a must-read for anyone interested in mortality, quality of life, and end-of-life care. Written by renowned surgeon and journalist Atul Gawande, this book offers an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of what it means to live and die well. With vivid stories from Gawande’s own experiences as a doctor, this book sheds light on the tough decisions we face when facing terminal illness or aging. Through his insight, readers are able to gain understanding of the importance of making our own choices about our health care. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to better understand how we can make the most out of life’s finite time.

My Experience for Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End

My life was turned upside down after reading Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End. Before reading this book, I had no idea how to properly think about death. I knew it would eventually come for me, but I was so ignorant of the reality of aging and illness that it never truly occurred to me.

Being Mortal completely changed my perspective. In this book, Atul Gawande writes with tremendous clarity and insight into the changing nature of mortality. He describes the importance of autonomy and dignity in our medical decisions as we age and become ill. This valuable information has given me a newfound appreciation for how I want to live out my final years.

What’s more, Being Mortal also taught me to think critically about end-of-life care. Now, I understand why some treatments are favored over others and which ones can actually improve quality of life instead of just extending it.

Reading Being Mortal was an eye-opening experience for me. It gave me a better understanding of death and how to make wise decisions about end-of-life care. No matter your age or health status, this book is essential reading for anyone who wants to take control of their own destiny in life’s later stages.

What I don’t Like

Product Disadvantages:
1. Lack of focus on end-of-life issues such as hospice care and palliative care
2. Not enough emphasis on the importance of family support when facing mortality
3. Limited discussion on how to make decisions about life-prolonging treatments in a dignified way
4. Does not provide sufficient guidance for patients and families dealing with terminal illness
5. Does not address how to help people cope with grief and loss during the dying process

How to Live Life to the Fullest with Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End

Atul Gawande’s Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End is a must-read for anyone who wants to make the most of their life. In this book, Gawande explores mortality from both medical and personal perspectives, encouraging readers to think about how to best use their time and energy. By examining end-of-life care and making thoughtful decisions about the future, we can all strive to achieve a sense of fulfillment and peace in our lives.

The book provides an important reminder that life is finite and that we should not take it for granted. It helps us understand how to balance our own needs with those of our loved ones, allowing us to maximize our quality of life while honoring our relationships with others. In addition, Being Mortal encourages us to be proactive in planning for our futures, discussing topics such as living wills, hospice care, and advanced directives.

Gawande’s book also reminds us that although life may be uncertain, we can still find joy in each day by cherishing moments with friends and family. We should strive to live every moment with intention, being mindful of what truly matters. This includes fulfilling hobbies or activities that bring us joy, engaging in meaningful conversations with loved ones, or simply taking a few moments each day to appreciate the beauty of nature.

Ultimately, Being Mortal offers powerful insight into how we can make the most of our lives despite its uncertainty. By focusing on what matters most—our relationships with those we love—we can create lasting memories that will bring us comfort during difficult times.

Questions about Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End

### What is the main message of Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End?
This book, Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, by Atul Gawande explores the ways that medical professionals can help patients to make decisions about their own lives and health. Through interviews with doctors, nurses, and patients, as well as his own personal experiences, Gawande examines how healthcare providers can work together with individuals to ensure that their quality of life remains as high as possible. The overall message is one of hope—that there are ways for all of us to maintain our autonomy and dignity even when facing serious illness or death.

### Who should read Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End?
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End is an important read for anyone who has ever had to make difficult decisions regarding health care. Whether you are a patient, a family member of a patient, or a medical professional, this book will help you to understand how to better navigate end-of-life decisions with greater empathy, compassion, and understanding.

### Why is Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End important?
The importance of Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End lies in its ability to open up conversations about end-of-life decisions that may otherwise be too difficult or taboo to discuss. By providing readers with insights from both medical professionals and those living with chronic illnesses, Gawande helps us all to understand how to approach these discussions with more respect and sensitivity. Ultimately, this book can help us all to live our lives more fully while giving us a greater sense of control over our own destinies.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.