The Colbert Report Season 9 Episode 93 Atul Gawande

Atul Gawande, a renowned surgeon, writer, and public health expert, visits The Colbert Report in season 9 episode 93. He is there to discuss his latest book, "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End." The book deals with end-of-life care and how the medical profession sometimes misses the mark in helping patients die in the way they want.

Colbert starts the show by joking with Gawande about how he is "probably not going to like [the show]," as Gawande has spoken before about his disdain for "absurd political theater." But, Colbert points out, there is much to discuss about the intersection of medicine and politics when it comes to end-of-life care.

Gawande explains that many doctors are simply not trained to deal with questions about death and dying, and that American culture often views death as something to be fought off at all costs. He recognizes that this is partly due to the success of modern medicine in prolonging life, but argues that there is a difference between prolonging life and prolonging suffering.

The conversation then turns to the issue of hospice care, which Gawande sees as an underutilized resource. Hospice care differs from traditional medical care in that it focuses on managing symptoms and providing comfort to patients rather than trying to cure them. Gawande argues that this approach can often lead to a better quality of life for patients and their families in the final stages of illness.

Colbert questions whether this emphasis on comfort care could be seen as "giving up" on a patient. But Gawande sees it as simply a different approach to care. "We have a hard time as a culture switching gears to say, 'OK, we're not going to fight for you as a warrior, we're going to fight for you as a protector. We're going to fight for you to have the best possible experience.'"

The conversation then turns to the role of family members and caregivers in end-of-life care. Gawande emphasizes the importance of communication and planning, both in terms of what kind of care a patient wants and what kind of support family members can provide. He also stresses the need for caregivers to take care of themselves, as their own well-being can have a direct impact on the patient's experience.

The episode ends with a discussion of Gawande's personal experiences with end-of-life care, including the death of his own father. Gawande recognizes that there are no easy answers when it comes to death and dying, but believes that by focusing on what truly matters to patients, we can help them live the best possible life until the end.

Overall, The Colbert Report season 9 episode 93 with Atul Gawande is a thoughtful and insightful exploration of a difficult topic. Colbert and Gawande are able to find humor and humanity in a subject that is often seen as grim, and their conversation is sure to spark important discussions about how we can improve end-of-life care for ourselves and our loved ones.