Books and Bagels and Morning Book Break Book Discussions on
Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande
Rating: In Books and Bagels, the book received ratings between 4.0 and 5.0+. The average of the ratings was 4.43. Three members gave the book a 5+. This book received an unusually high rating as compared to past books selected for club.
In Morning Book Break, the book received ratings between a 0 and 5.0+. The average of the ratings was 4.72. This was also an unusually high rating.
Review:
Morning Book Break: Members found the book very informative, but the information presented was depressing. Most members would rather not focus on end-of-life issues and most members could only digest the book in small chunks. In spite of this fact, members found the book to be exceptionally well-written and inspiring. Several members thought it should be a book everyone in the medical profession should read. One member thought this selection was the most valuable read since she has been attending book club. Members would definitely encourage others to read the book. Members have noticed that Atul Gawande has been on several network news shows and members are glad to be informed about current topics/events.
Books and Bagels: Members overwhelming would and have recommended this book to others. Many members are now going to purchase this book to give to loved ones and also, to give to several doctors. Members believe this is a foundational book, which should be read by every medical professional prior to graduation. Members found the book to be a necessary, important read. One member said, “Definitely, have a tissue box ready if you decide to read.” Discussion centered on what worked and didn’t work in end life experiences. Members spent time sharing personal preparations. One member pointed out that Atul Gawande is listed in Fortune’s May 1, 2017 issue on p. 46 in the article 34 Leaders Who Are Changing Health Care. Members are excited to read about current information and they feel up-to-date.
Discussion Highlights:
- Conversation about the personal narratives and anecdotal stories shared by the author
- Members found the stories to be fruitful and provided helpful insights apart from the facts, figures, and statistics
- Complexities of medical education and insufficiencies regarding medical training for death, grief, and end-of-life decisions
- Effectiveness of Doctor Styles: Paternalistic, Informative, and Interpretive
- Evolution of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospice and what matters most in the end
- Striking a balance between hope and reality
- Dr. Gawande’s personal story of his father’s terminal illness
- Healthcare costs and potential remedies/medical funding/quality-of-life issues/death with dignity
- How traditions/spirituality influence the concept of being mortal
- Shared tips/strategies for effectively dealing with mortality—what is involved in a “good death”
- Aging in the US and abroad
- Tension between safety and independent living/joyful existence
- Combating the “Three Plagues of Nursing Home Existence: Boredom, Loneliness, and Helplessness”
Resources:
For other books by Atul Gawande in our collection, please click here.
We also own the Frontline DVD Being Mortal; the film explores the interactions between doctors and patients approaching the end of life.
Atul Gawande recommends doctors begin to talk about the inevitability of death with terminally ill patients and he recommends a good place to start is with the use of the “Serious Illness Conversation Guide.” He wrote the guide at the following link to find out what terminally ill patients understand about their condition and what their goals are as the end nears.
http://www.talkaboutwhatmatters.org/documents/Providers/Serious-Illness-Guide.pdf
Read-a-Likes:
RA at Rolling Meadows Library 