"How Doctors Die" by Ken Murray

           “How Doctors Die” by Ken Murray explores the feelings of a doctor and his thought on death. The essay begins with Murray discussing the death of his mentor, Charlie. He was one of the best surgeons in the country but unfortunately was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Instead of pursuing extreme medical procedures, Charlie stayed at home with his family and friends until his death.  Doctors know enough about modern medical technology to know what to expect and when the treatment becomes unnecessary. It is the quality of life, not the quantity. Murray allows readers to feel the constraints of a doctor.

            Patients, doctors and the system- three things that answer the question: How do doctors administer care that they would not want for themselves? Being a doctor himself, the author uses death experiences of family, friends and patients to support his purpose. Murray’s purpose for writing this piece is to show readers that it’s the quality of life, not the quantity that ultimately matters.  He gives multiple examples throughout that show how the people who choose to not undergo the medical procedures and live their last few moments with their family live a happier and, in some cases, longer life.

            This essay was written for anyone curious about how doctors look at death. It gives readers a new perspective on life and how to approach it when faced with death. Murray uses logos throughout the piece by giving readers examples of deaths that the author experienced. His cousin Torch’s situation is a great example of how he used logos. When Torch discovered that he had cancer, he decided against heavy treatments and only took pills that controlled his brain’s swelling. In the end, Torch died happier and lived longer than he would have if he went through with treatments.

            I believe that Murray accomplished his purpose in showing readers how the quality of life is greater than the quantity. His essay gave me a new perspective on death and even on how doctors view it. The author’s strong diction and stories used throughout allowed his intention to be achieved. 

In “How Doctors Die” by Ken Murray, the people who died at home ended up having the better quality life.