Book Review: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande

By: Savanna Perry, PA-C

TL;DR

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande examines how medicine handles aging and the end of life, and argues that quality of life and patient wishes matter as much as survival. It's a thoughtful, humbling read for anyone going into the PA profession.

Last Updated: June 12, 2026

Your Pre-PA Bestie Blog - everything you need to know to become a PA in one place.

What is Being Mortal about?

Being Mortal is Atul Gawande's look at how modern medicine deals with aging, serious illness, and dying. Through patient stories and his own experiences, he argues that healthcare often focuses so hard on extending life that it loses sight of what makes life worth living for the person in the bed.

The book gently pushes providers to ask different questions. Not just what can we do, but what does this patient actually want, and what are they willing to trade for more time? For future PAs, that's a powerful shift in thinking, because so much of good care comes down to listening and helping people make hard choices that fit their values.

In this post:

Why is it worth reading before PA school?

End-of-life conversations are some of the hardest parts of practicing, and they rarely get enough attention in training. Reading Being Mortal early gives you a head start on thinking through them with empathy instead of avoidance. It helps you see the whole patient, not just the diagnosis.

It's also a book that interviewers and faculty respect, because it shows you've thought seriously about the realities of medicine. More than that, it just makes you a more thoughtful person, which carries into every room you walk into as a provider.

In Our Experience

In our experience coaching applicants, students who've sat with a book like Being Mortal speak about patient care with more depth and honesty. I recommend it to anyone who wants to understand the human side of medicine before they're standing at a bedside making those calls.

Every Pre-PA Should Know...

Being Mortal's core question is simple but hard: what matters most to the patient when time is short? Carry that question into every difficult conversation.

Free Resume Download → https://www.thepaplatform.com/services/free-resume-download/

Need to Know:

Being Mortal is by surgeon and writer Atul Gawande
It focuses on aging, serious illness, and end-of-life care
The theme is honoring what patients actually want, not just extending life
It prepares you for hard conversations you'll have as a PA
Faculty and interviewers tend to respect this read
It builds empathy and a whole-patient mindset

FAQ

Who wrote Being Mortal?

Atul Gawande, a surgeon and writer known for his books on medicine and public health.

What is the main theme?

That medicine should focus on patients' quality of life and wishes near the end of life, not only on extending survival.

Is it appropriate for pre-PA students?

Yes. It builds empathy and prepares you for the difficult conversations that come with patient care.

Is Being Mortal a sad book?

It's reflective and honest about hard topics, but many readers find it hopeful and clarifying rather than depressing.

Do I need clinical experience to understand it?

No. It's written for a general audience and is meaningful whether or not you've worked in healthcare yet.

Should I mention it in PA school interviews?

If it genuinely shaped how you think about care, it can be a thoughtful thing to bring up.

CLOSING

Being Mortal is a quieter, more reflective read than some medical books, and that's exactly why it lands. If you're heading toward PA school and want to understand the human side of care, this belongs on your list. We're always happy to help you turn reflections like these into a stronger application story.

New Graduate Coaching → https://www.thepaplatform.com/new-graduate-coaching/

Book Review: Being Mortal by Atul Gawande