So you’ve heard that line, “The true goal of medicine is not just…” right? It’s a game-changer because it reframes everything we think healthcare should be about. It’s not just the quantity of life, but the quality.
Share Image Quote:Table of Contents
Meaning
At its heart, this quote is a powerful reminder that medicine’s ultimate purpose is to enhance the *quality* of a person’s life, not just its duration.
Explanation
Look, for years, the medical field’s success was measured in hard metrics. Did the patient survive? How many years did we add? And look, that’s crucial, of course it is. But what this concept does—and I’ve seen this shift firsthand—is it forces us to ask the tougher questions. Are those extra years spent in pain, or in a fog of medication? Or are they spent *living*—with energy, with purpose, with the ability to enjoy a grandchild’s laugh or a walk in the park? It’s the difference between treating a disease and treating a *person*. It’s about functional status, mental well-being, and joy. That’s the real win.
Quote Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Original Language | English (3670) |
| Category | Health (243) |
| Topics | longevity (43), purpose (186), quality (9) |
| Literary Style | poetic (635), succinct (151) |
| Emotion / Mood | gentle (183), inspiring (392) |
| Overall Quote Score | 88 (131) |
Origin & Factcheck
This specific phrasing comes straight from the 2010 book Doctor Chopra Says by Sanjiv Chopra, Alan Lotvin, and David Fisher. You’ll sometimes see similar sentiments floating around attributed to older figures, but this concise and powerful version is theirs.
Attribution Summary
| Context | Attributes |
|---|---|
| Author | Sanjiv Chopra (48) |
| Source Type | Book (4032) |
| Source/Book Name | Doctor Chopra Says: Medical Facts and Myths Everyone Should Know (48) |
| Origin Timeperiod | 21st Century (1891) |
| Original Language | English (3670) |
| Authenticity | Verified (4032) |
Author Bio
Dr Sanjiv Chopra is an American physician, hepatologist, and professor of medicine (emeritus) at Harvard Medical School. He served as Faculty Dean for Continuing Medical Education at Harvard and practiced at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. He writes and speaks on wellness, purpose, longevity, and leadership. The Dr Sanjiv Chopra book list features Leadership by Example, Dr. Chopra Says, The Big Five, The Two Most Important Days, and Brotherhood with his brother Deepak Chopra. He continues to mentor clinicians and inspire general readers through keynotes and media.
| Official Website | Facebook | X| Instagram
Where is this quotation located?
| Quotation | The true goal of medicine is not just to add years to life, but life to years |
| Book Details | Publication Year: 2010; ISBN: 978-0312611742; Last Edition: 1st Edition; Number of Pages: 304. |
| Where is it? | Chapter 10: The Future of Medicine, Approximate page from 2010 edition |