“We will never surrender” echoes as perhaps the most memorable line of Winston Churchill’s “We will fight them on the beaches” speech. It stirred England to fight off an invasion, largely alone.
“Never surrender” resonates with our deepest sense of morality. No one has ever promoted running away in battle as virtuous behaviour in any society. Falling on one’s sword advises suicide before surrender. Fans hate hockey teams that give up. We want players to fight to the end even when a goal spread guarantees the outcome. The BBC still runs articles about Japan not surrendering in WWII.
Old Barns
On the other hand, only hobby farmers – romantic ruralists – rescue barns canted towards inevitable collapse. Real farmers, ones that have to make their living at it, let old barns fall or pay someone to tear them down. Rotten bovine cathedrals on crumbling foundations represent a nostalgic waste of time and money (based on personal experience). Systems crumble and fall. Maybe those with enough time to bemoan their passing have too much time to spare?
Sometimes giving up is wise.
Part time
Doctors spend their lives caring for patients, not fighting government. Government has unfettered control over legislation and regulation. They push relentlessly to change and build a system after their own design while doctors work relentlessly caring for patients. Government makes it harder. Politicians don’t want to hear about real problems, like access and coordination of services, only about ideas that make them look good in time for re-election.
A few days ago, we learned of yet another $20 million health innovation evaluation fund.
Note: that’s politicians-as-doctors spending money to grow the size of government instead of loosening the reins to let doctors take care of patients.
A Dark Place
My mother used to repeat, “If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say it.”
Maybe surrender is the best tactical move for doctors right now? Fighting government requires full time hours. No one has that kind of time, and those hired to do it don’t seem clear on what it is they should resist.
Doctors Give Up
Are we delusional to think doctors haven’t given up on government long ago?
Either way, perhaps we should let Wynne and Hoskins fly forward under the weight of their hubris? Instead of falling on our sword, maybe doctors should just step back and watch what happens? But standing there doing nothing has never been easy for MDs.
photo credit: metro.co.uk
I like how you have laid out the options, I vote for letting W ynne and Hoskins fall under the weight of their hubris ( like the Alberta conservatives, though I do not relish the thought of 40 years of liberal government).
I am hoping that you would summarize your impressions of the OMA council meeting from last weekend. I was following some of your Twitter comments, but it gets very confusing.
It is an interesting time for us in mid career with families, leases, long term staff etc who cannot just pull up stakes and re-locate to greener pastures. We just put our heads down and do the best we can for our patients and those important to us.
Thanks so much for commenting, Gayle!
You are correct: “We just put our heads down and do the best we can for our patients…” I hesitate a little at summarizing the council meeting. My thoughts would miss important chunks that could make others bristle. But if you, and others, want to discuss it, I would be happy to start the discussion.
I sure appreciate you taking time to read, comment and think about these issues!
Best regards,
Shawn
Gayle, I agree with you: we must do the best for our patients and our own families. Just as many other physicians do, until recently I have put my patients before my family.
Physicians at different stages of their career and in different circumstances will come up with different reactions to the current mess in Ontario Healthcare. Some will move. Some will leave. Those who have been working past their preferred retirement age as their patients will not be able to find doctors will give up (as Shawn alludes to) and retire. All of these will be disastrous for many patients in a system that has a shortage of physicians and resources.
You raise an important point, Gerry. Depending on their stage of career, doctors respond differently. Generally speaking, established doctors get involved in medical politics. I started into it right after residency and have felt my voice fall into an echo chamber on more occasions than I’d have hoped. Doctors in politics have been uniformly welcoming and supportive. They just don’t have passion for substantive change when they’re sitting on an established practice and retirement savings while looking at the downward slope of the end of their career.
Thanks for taking time to comment!
Shawn
I want no part of the mess that will ensue. And I hope the OMA steps back so I don’t have to take responsibility “by proxy” for the mess. At this point, no trimming around the edges for an agreement will make a difference. No more “partners”.
I don’t want to see any “Ontario Doctors and the Ontario Govt….working together for your health” commercials.
Gayle, I agree with you: we must do the best for our patients and our own families. Just as many other physicians do, until recently I have put my patients before my family.
Physicians at different stages of their career and in different circumstances will come up with different reactions to the current mess in Ontario Healthcare. Some will move. Some will leave. Those who have been working past their preferred retirement age as their patients will not be able to find doctors will give up (as Shawn alludes to) and retire. All of these will be disastrous for many patients in a system that has a shortage of physicians and resources.
JA, I absolutely agree. As they always do, the government and media will try to paint physicians as greedy, selfish and the main problem for a failing healthcare system.
The duly elected representatives of the patients created this health care system. We are not responsible for it, but just doing the best we can. We should step back and let the government own this.
I love this line: “I don’t want to see any ‘Ontario Doctors and the Ontario Govt…working together for your health’ commercials.” Well said!
Thanks Shawn. I agree we should step back and let the government shoot itself in both feet and knees. I will continue to educate the public and my patients as to why we are in this mess. I can’t say I didn’t call it! I’m just glad I made a few bucks while they bribed us with our own money and can now step back a bit and watch the crumble. I do feel for our new grads though. So much angst and fear. No wonder Lieberal governments fear armed citizens. They are usually the first to the guillotine.
Keep calm and soldier on
Dr.Oz
Thanks so much for your comment, Ozzy!
“…They bribed us with our own money…” So true. At some point, we get tired of apologizing for the system. I wonder if patients really believe us when we say the system causes their waiting or poor service. The government supports/allows the system. I see quite a few blank faces when I try to explain. I think many patients believe it’s our fault.
Quite a few people share your thoughts about “step[-ping] back and watch[-ing] the crumble.” We’ve come to the demise everyone predicted. Having said that, there’s still more blood they could drain out of physician services. I’m looking forward to the first claw-back. I wonder if people will rise up then?
Time to diversify our income…
Great to hear from you!
Best
Shawn