Reading Reflection Paper

Objective: To develop critical thinking skills, engage with anthropological theory, and practice academic writing.
Assignment: You will reflect upon your reading of Atul Gawande’s Better: A Surgeon’s Notes on Performance. Drawing upon your personal experiences and perceptions of biomedicine and material covered in tutorials and lecture regarding the Anthropology of Health you will write a short reflection paper concerning one aspect of Better. Choose one section/chapter/case from the book and consider the following questions as you reflect upon your reading:
• How has Gawande’s book influenced your perceptions of the biomedical system?
• How has your perception of the concepts of “health”, “illness”, “sickness”, and
“wellness” changed throughout the course?
• Why have you chosen this particular section/chapter/case?
• How does Gawande explore the social, ecological, and biological aspects of health in his
writing?