Being Mortal

Medicine and What Matters in the End

Being Mortal examines how modern medicine approaches aging, serious illness, and death, and argues that medical care often prioritizes survival over a person's broader goals and wellbeing. Atul Gawande draws on medical practice, research, and personal stories to consider nursing homes, hospice care, and conversations about what patients value near the end of life. The book advocates for care that preserves autonomy, dignity, and meaning even when a cure is not possible.

by Atul Gawande