Descriptions:
- http://atulgawande.com/book/being-mortal/
- http://www.amazon.com/Being-Mortal-Medicine-What-Matters/dp/0805095152
Reviews:
- http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/books/2014/10/11/book-review-being-mortal-medicine-and-what-matters-end-atul-gawande/JwyaLEIAGOs5guUGBiG2YN/story.html
- http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Being-Mortal-by-Atul-Gawande-review-5810483.php
- http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/oct/22/being-mortal-medicine-what-matters-atul-gawande-review
- http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/17/arts/being-mortal-by-atul-gawande.html
I read both the description on Gawande's website as well as the New York Times review online about his new book. As a future doctor (and hopefully surgeon!) I found it fascinating, and I really want to read this and his other books to learn more about his encounters in the medical field. Also, it sounds like his newest book is extremely relevant to our class since it is all about the mortality of humans and begins by talking about reading Ivan Ilyich in medical school. Since we read that in our own class about death and dying, how could this be more perfect?! It sounds like he brings up a lot of interesting points, including being honest yet compassionate with patients, the problems with choosing geriatric care based on what you think is good rather than listening to your elderly family member, and his helplessness when he watched his father gradually debilitate from illness. Sounds like a very engaging book which brings up a lot of great points about death and dying from a medical perspective.
ReplyDeleteKristin,
DeleteI also found it very appropriate to our class because of the reference to Iva Ilyich. I think this book is beneficial to not only members and future members of health care, but everyone. There is a lot to be learned from the book. I think some of the topics in the book are really relatable and many people could learn some valuable information.
After reading the description of the book, I found it as an appropriate read for myself. As a future member of the healthcare team, I think that sometimes we get caught up in treating the illness and not the person. The title of the "Being Mortal" refers to that fact that we will all die someday and we treat everybody and every patient that we interact with, with respect because we are all human. Maybe over Christmas break, I would like to get a copy and read it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you lauren with the hustle and bustle that goes on with health care members with having so many patients to take care of I think many health care members often over look the idea that they are human not just their disease or illness. As a future nurse i need to make sure not to overlook the importance of my interactions with my patients and remember that every person will die someday so each person needs equal and respectful treatment.
DeleteI read the description of the book "Being Mortal" on Atul Gawande's website and I could see myself reading this. This book is basically about showing the suffering that is produced by medicine and the good it should do often goes the opposite way to what it should. It reveals the suffering this dynamic has produced over time and that nursing homes battle with residents over the food they are allowed to eat and the choices they are allowed to make. Doctors fall back on false hopes and treatments that are actually shortening lives instead of improving them, families saying nothing. I think it would be an interesting read when I would able to manage the time, so a summer read to take a different look at nursing homes.
ReplyDeleteI read the description and the New York Times review and I find this to sound like a fascinating book. This seems to be a book that would be a great read after taking this class. He seems to hit on many points that we have covered in class, most notably the problems with end of life care in the United States. I also love the title that he chose for his book. "Being Mortal" perfectly describes the view that we should have but seem to not have. In modern medicine the desire seems to become immortal rather than accept that death is an inevitability. His title offers the counter to that sentiment which if adopted would surely allow for greater end of life care.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you on this Tyler. I also feel that we need to contact the NY Times and Amazon to get your review published alongside the book on the various websites because I feel that you just sold me on buying this book!
DeleteAfter reading the descriptions of the book, I think it sounds fantastic! I have actually looked into buying some of his other books because they too sound really interesting. As a future physician, I am always interested in hearing a medical professional's stories, what they had to go through, what they have faced, and their own takes on different situations. I would love to read this book and I feel that it would be very fitting for not just myself, but also our philosophy class and anyone who might be interested in learning more about all that the book covers!
ReplyDelete