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Checklists Quote by Atul Gawande

“Just using a checklist requires [doctors] to embrace different values from ones we've had, like humility, discipline, teamwork.” quote by Atul Gawande
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“Just using a checklist requires [doctors] to embrace different values from ones we've had, like humility, discipline, teamwork.”

Atul Gawande

About This Quote

Source Book: Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande, 2009

Adopting checklists forces clinicians to adopt humility, discipline, and teamwork, shifting from solo decision‑making to collaborative safety culture.

In simple terms: Checklists need humility, discipline, teamwork.

Key Takeaway

Embrace checklists to improve safety.

Themes

humility discipline teamwork patient safety

Mood

reflective professional collaborative

Type

advice process

When to use this quote

  • surgery
  • hospital wards
  • emergency departments
  • medical training

Key Concepts

systems thinking human factors clinical governance

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can teams balance checklist rigor with clinical judgment?
  • What barriers exist to adopting checklists?
A Different Perspective

Checklists can be seen as bureaucratic and may reduce flexibility.

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