Medicine and Doctors in Final Cut by Atul Gawande - 872 Words

The main theme of â€Å"Final Cut† by Atul Gawande is that medicine is an inexact science and doctors are not always sure of themselves, even if they appear confident. Gawande’s main argument is simply stated: there has been a decline in the amount of autopsies performed in the medical field as a result of medical arrogance; over confident doctors believe they know the cause of death and do not want to perform autopsies. Gawande illustrates his argument by outlining the history of autopsy use in medicine, incorporating medical cases that he has experienced as a surgeon, and including statistics on autopsy usage. â€Å"Final Cut† is an outstanding profile on the decline of autopsy use in medicine. What makes â€Å"Final Cut† an enjoyable and informative article for all readers is its use of strategies associated with fiction such as the establishment of characters, balance between medical information and personal experience, and its use of active voice. It is evident throughout â€Å"Final Cut† that Gawande is an author who draws on and adapts elements of fiction such as the establishment of characters and the creation of tension and suspense within his journalism. By incorporating medical cases he has experienced as a surgeon, Gawande is able to establish many characters that the reader develops an emotional connection with. This emotional connection develops because readers are provided with just enough information about the characters to individualize them, allowing readers to care aboutShow MoreRelatedThe Hippocratic Oath, By Atul Gawande1344 Words   |  6 PagesMedicine is a science of healing, but also an art. It takes intelligence in the sciences as well as precise skill in the art of medicine to heal successfully. In the Hippocratic Oath, Hippocrates highlights the importance of passing on the tradition of practicing medicine, maintaining respect for patients, and preserving humility within themselves. Modern day prac tice of this oath involve patient’s stories. Rita Charon in her article â€Å"What to do with Stories? The sciences of Narrative Medicine,†Read More Increased Patient Responsibility1565 Words   |  7 Pages We like to think of medicine as a vast sea of knowledge, a science of certainty and applied research intended to heal and cure. Patients visit their doctors expecting to be diagnosed, prescribed, and treated. For several patients, this optimistic outlook is in fact the order of things. But, for many others, medicine is an experimental endeavor and very human in nature. Atul Gawande, in his collection of essays entitled Complications: A Surgeon’s Notes on an Imperfect Science, sheds lightRead MoreTheme Of Being Mortal1271 Words   |  6 PagesBeing Mortal and its Consequences 1. Introduction In Being Mortal, Atul Gawande uses his experiences as a surgeon, professor and public health professional to discuss many facets of Western end-of-life care and the process of growing old in a modern age. Overall, I have found that three overpowering themes in this novel are security versus autonomy, a need for pragmatism surrounding the concept of death, and our medicalized society’s devaluation of hospice and palliative care. Regarding these themesRead MoreStephen P. Robbins Timothy A. Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pagesproduction specialists, editorial personnel, and marketing and sales staff. More than one hundred instructors reviewed parts or all of Organizational Behavior, Fifteenth Edition. Their comments, compliments, and suggestions have significantly improved the final product. The authors wish to thank John D. Kammeyer-Mueller of the University of Florida for help with several key aspects of th is revision. The authors would also like to extend their sincerest thanks to the following instructors: Lee Boam, University