Being Mortal by Atul Gawande Analysis

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Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
The book Being Mortal by Atul Gawande is one that engages a reader and leaves one with the idea of seeking a meaningful life as opposed to simply living longer. In this book, Gawande evaluates the U.S. healthcare system focusing specifically on the care provided to the elderly and terminally-ill patients. Through his narration and storytelling skills, Gawande shows his readers that quality of life matters even when the end is nigh. The author uses personal reflection to help point out the experiences of care providers and their patients. Gawande is not advocating for assisted death in his book, although he makes it clear that he is not against lessening the pain for those who are suffering. He makes it clear throughout his book that everything made available today, including assisted death, are but mere distractions that help make life less meaningful. Essentially, people have failed to pay attention to the last stage or phase of life, and often the obsession with technology and/or alternative healthcare measures steals the joy or the essence of life for both the terminally ill or elderly and their relatives. In the book, three themes are evident and help Gawande to further his point. These three include a failing healthcare system, the ending matters, as well as the blinding presence of technology. Through these three, Gawande has been able to build his argument and reveal an issue that showcases one of the major flaws of humanity.
The first theme evident in Gawande’s book is that of a failing healthcare system. Everyone is guilty of being selfish or wanting the best for themselves or in the case of healthcare, wanting the best doctors to take care of them. However, the facts revealed by Gawande in his book show that this may not be the case. A look at the number of geriatricians in the U.S., for example, reveals a shocking statistic. Gawande notes that “although the elderly population is growing rapidly, the number of certified geriatricians the medical profession has put in practice has actually fallen in the United States by 25 percent between 1996 and 2010” (34). Gawande explains that the highlighted problem should be blamed on the remuneration rates in geriatrics. Apparently, “incomes in geriatrics and adult primary care are among the lowest in medicine,” and this is a clear sign of a failing system (34). However, Gawande also explains that there is another reason for the reducing number of geriatrics in the U.S. Well, “doctors don’t like taking care of the elderly” (34). His admission is indeed sad and one that makes me fear for my life. The obvious fact here is that people seem to care for themselves more than others. Would I want to be under the care of a person who knows that he is not being paid enough? The answer to this is no. Currently, I have the power, energy, and voice to choose who I want as my doctor. However, I cannot help but wonder what will happen to me once I get to old age. Will there be someone to look after me and some...