Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by Atul Gawande

Quote by Atul Gawande

“Technological society has forgotten what scholars call the 'dying role' and its importance to people as life approaches its end. People want to share memories, pass on wisdoms and keepsakes, settle relationships, establish their legacies, make peace with God, and ensure that those who are left behind will be okay. They want to end their stories on their own terms. This role is, observers argue, among life's most important, for both the dying and those left behind. And if it is, the way we deny people this role, out of obtuseness and neglect, is cause for everlasting shame. Over and over, we in medicine inflict deep gouges at the end of people's lives and then stand oblivious to the harm done.”

Quote by Atul Gawande

Work

Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End

In this insightful book, the author delves into the complexities of aging and the end of life, examining the intersection of medicine, ethics, and personal values. The narrative explores the challenges faced by patients, families, and healthcare providers as they navigate the final stages of life, emphasizing the need for meaningful conversations and the pursuit of a good quality of life. more

Author

Atul Gawande
Atul Gawande

Atul Gawande is a renowned American surgeon and writer. Born on November 5, 1965, in Mumbai, India, he immigrated to the United States. Gawande is known for his expertise in surgery and his profound insights into the healthcare system. His writings cover a range of topics from surgical techniques to medical ethics, and have been well-received by readers. more

You May Also Like

“Many a death was precipitated by the food, the job, or the medication whose main function was to postpone it.”

“Wake up. If your eyes are sleeping then wipe them gently. You need to be awake for this. It is a matter of life and death. Wake up! If your mind is sleeping then shake it quickly. You need to be awake for this. It is a matter of life and death. Wake up, I said! If your heart is sleeping then beat your chest! You need to be awake for life! You need to be awake for love! It is a matter of living and being alive.”

“Dying in one’s fourth decade is unusual now, but dying is not. “The thing about lung cancer is that it’s not exotic,” Paul wrote in an email to his best friend, Robin. “The reader can get into these shoes, walk a bit, and say, ‘So that’s what it looks like from here. Sooner or later, I’ll be back here in my own shoes.’ That’s what I’m aiming for, I think. Not the sensationalism of dying and not the exhortations to gather rosebuds but: Here’s what lies up ahead on the road.” Of course, he did more than just describe the terrain. He traversed it bravely.”

“I'm going to live until I die and I'm not going to get life and death confused. While I'm on this earth I'm going to LIVE. Why only be half alive? Every minute a person spends worrying about dying is just one minute that fellow might as well have been dead.”