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In other words, our decision making in medicine has failed…

“In other words, our decision making in medicine has failed so spectacularly that we have reached the point of actively inflicting harm on patients rather than confronting the subject of mortality.” quote by Atul Gawande
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““In other words, our decision making in medicine has failed so spectacularly that we have reached the point of actively inflicting harm on patients rather than confronting the subject of mortality.””

Atul Gawande

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Medical decisions have become so flawed they cause harm rather than confronting death.

In simple terms: Medicine sometimes harms instead of confronting mortality.

Key Takeaway

Reevaluate medical practices to avoid causing harm.

Themes

ethics medicine mortality

Mood

serious reflective

Type

ethical clinical

When to use this quote

  • hospital protocols
  • end‑of‑life discussions
  • treatment guidelines

Key Concepts

clinical decision making patient care

Questions to Reflect On

  • What safeguards can prevent harmful decisions?
  • How do we define “active harm”?
A Different Perspective

Complex cases may still require intervention.

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