Everything Happens with Kate Bowler What Makes Life Worth Living? Atul Gawande on Mortality, Medicine, and Meaning
Sep 2, 2025
Dr. Atul Gawande, a renowned surgeon and author, dives deep into the intersection of medicine and mortality. He shares insights on what it means to be a good doctor when cures are out of reach and highlights how crucial conversations often begin with questions, not answers. The discussion touches on caregiving, navigating end-of-life decisions, and the pursuit of quality of life. Gawande's reflections on joy in imperfection and the search for purpose resonate powerfully, offering clarity and compassion in the face of life’s toughest challenges.
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Ask Beyond Survival
- Everyone has priorities besides living longer and they differ and change over time.
- Atul Gawande says clinicians rarely ask about those priorities, causing misaligned care and suffering.
Use Goal-Focused Questions
- Ask patients about their understanding, hopes, fears, and what they will or won't sacrifice for more time.
- Use a simple goal question like 'What's the minimum quality of life you'd find acceptable?' to guide decisions.
Ice Cream, Football, And Real Goals
- A father's 'chocolate ice cream and watch football' standard became a clear, usable goal for care decisions.
- Atul also describes his own father's shifting priorities as his tumor progressed and identity changed.
