Question

Dr. Atul Gawande writes, “We’ve built our medical system around the long tail” (Gawande 171). What does this mean? Is this problem? Why or why not? Appeal to the Principle of Nonmaleficence, Principle of Beneficence, or a moral framework in your answer (Kant, Mill, or Care Ethics).

Answer 1

The long tail of possibility determines the scope of preparing more probable solutions or outcomes. Hence there will be always possibility of producing long tail of possibility.

Now the problem with existing medical system is that it is built around the long tail of possibility where hope is the plan and not one of the plans.

Now the concept of Non-maleficence revolves around not creating an intrinsically wrong deed. Likewise, Beneficence considers doing good as the best action for patient.