Final Exam: A Surgeon's Reflections on Mortality

Cover of Final Exam: A Surgeon's Reflections on Mortality

Final Exam: A Surgeon's Reflections on Mortality is a book written by Pauline W. Chen, a surgeon who explores the complex relationship between doctors and the concept of mortality. The book provides a profound insight into the emotional and ethical challenges faced by medical professionals when dealing with death and dying.

Overview

Final Exam is a reflective narrative that delves into the personal experiences of Dr. Chen as she navigates her career in medicine. The book is structured around her journey from medical school to becoming a practicing surgeon, highlighting the moments that shaped her understanding of mortality.

Dr. Chen discusses the often unspoken aspects of medical training, where the focus is primarily on saving lives, sometimes at the expense of acknowledging the inevitability of death. She argues that this can lead to a lack of preparedness among doctors when dealing with terminally ill patients.

Themes

Mortality in Medicine

A central theme of the book is the confrontation with mortality that every doctor must face. Dr. Chen emphasizes the importance of acknowledging death as a natural part of life and the role of healthcare professionals in providing compassionate care to those at the end of life.

Empathy and Compassion

Dr. Chen advocates for greater empathy and compassion in the medical field. She shares stories of patients and their families, illustrating the profound impact that a caring and understanding approach can have on those facing the end of life.

Medical Education

The book critiques the traditional medical education system, which often prioritizes technical skills over emotional intelligence. Dr. Chen calls for a more holistic approach to training doctors, one that includes preparing them to deal with the emotional aspects of patient care.

Impact

Final Exam has been praised for its candid and heartfelt exploration of a topic that is often avoided in medical discourse. It has sparked discussions about the need for reform in medical education and the importance of addressing the emotional well-being of both patients and healthcare providers.

Related pages

• Palliative care
• Medical ethics
• End-of-life care
• Empathy in healthcare