It is beautifully written reflective and deeply personal, it forces one to confront difficult ideas about mortality.
He died, aged 37, while still writing his book. Paul Kalanithi was a neurosurgeon who was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. This book is an extremely moving first person account of facing one's own mortality.
The Checklist Manifesto was a bestseller, discussing the importance of careful preparation – relevant for medicine and the wider world alike! Complications discusses the various challenges faced by surgeons and the errors it is possible to make, while Better details the values of diligence, doing right and ingenuity, which Gawande understands as crucial for success in medicine. Atul Gawande – Complications, Better, The Checklist Manifesto, Being MortalĪtul Gawande is an American surgeon and Professor of Health Policy who has written several influential books on the philosophy of medicine and medical practice.Please let us know your thoughts and your own Chloë’s Recommendations: you probably don’t feel like reading anything else! However, you might want some different material to help you realise why you’ve chosen this career path - it can be good to hear from others that have come out the other side! Whether you’re currently studying medicine or if you’re considering applying for medical school, we realise that alongside all the revision, exam stress, application forms, personal statements etc…. Dr Chloë Gamlin (Foundation Year 1 Doctor and Lucy Cavendish College graduate) and Mr Christopher Fowell (Fellow & Director of Studies, Lucy Cavendish College) have compiled a list of excellent books to read ahead of medical school applications, starting medical school, or simply for some distraction during lockdown and rescheduled examinations!