Better: A Surgeon's Notes on Performance

Everybody struggles to perform properly because they are tired, have limited resources, and are not flawless in whatever they do. But nowhere is this need to do better more crucial than in the medical field, where every choice has a life-or-death consequence. Atul Gawande examines in his most recent book how medical professionals work to bridge the gap between good intentions and optimal performance in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. Gawande transports us to battlefield surgical tents in Iraq, labor and delivery rooms in Boston, a polio epidemic in India, and malpractice courtrooms throughout the nation with his compelling tales of dedication, inventiveness, and what it means to do the right thing by people. He talks about the moral conundrums that arise when physicians administer deadly injections, looks at how money affects contemporary medicine, and relates the very divisive history of hand washing. As with everything he writes, Gawande provides us with an intimate glimpse into his life as a working surgeon, providing a brutally honest personal narrative of working in a profession where errors are both inevitable and unimaginable. Better is an exciting journey told by maybe the greatest nonfiction doctor-writer out now, a caring and uncompromising story (Salon). Gawande's research on medical professionals and how they transition from being just excellent to great sheds light on every aspect of human effort and offers unique insight into the components of success.