Political Vision Must Come Before Negotiation

The movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, is a political thriller, despite all the crying, hugging and cuteness.

At its core, the movie portrays a battle of political visions.

Will George Bailey accept Mr. Potter’s salary in exchange for Mr. Potter’s iron control of Bailey’s Savings and Loan?

Will George stand up for his own political vision, of small loans for his neighbours, or will he sacrifice his integrity for Mr. Potter’s vision of control and serfdom under Potter?

The movie pivots on George’s refusal to accept Potter’s vision of reality.

The following 2 minute, 30 second clip captures the struggle:

Selling Out

Once surrendered, integrity is almost impossible to regain. Some say doctors have surrendered too much already. We gave in years ago: Better to compromise and get a raise than lose a fight and suffer more fee cuts! Continue reading “Political Vision Must Come Before Negotiation”

Governance Renewal – Ask Why Before How

Every doctor has seen or done something horrible to an old, dying patient.

Armed with good intentions, we spot a gasping 95 year old and jump into action. We snap open a laryngoscope blade, hoist her jaw into the air and shove in a tube to relieve her “upper airway obstruction”.

Our technical prowess is matched only by our moral purity. But we accomplish something grotesque and wrong.

Doctors must learn to identify sick patients and how to resuscitate them. But these skills cause harm if doctors do not learn what comes between diagnosis and treatment.

Before treatment, we must ask: Why?

Purpose Before Process

A governance expert entertained a large group of doctors in Toronto this weekend. He summarized a graduate textbook on board governance in 40 minutes, for a group who had very little board experience.

It was brilliant, funny and almost useless. Continue reading “Governance Renewal – Ask Why Before How”

Fundamentalism in Medical Politics

Fundamentalism simplifies life. It turns a messy world, full of grey, into a crisp, clean existence of peace and clarity. Even dogs and colour-blind people can see black and white.

Fundamentalism uses publicists to guide true believers.

Some news columnists, ersatz journalists, make their living as publicists. They sell words that paint the same, stark plot: Everyone is good or bad, oppressed or oppressor.

Stylites in the Main Stream Media chant their sermons, while the choir nods in unison.

Doctors are oppressors, arrogant and powerful.

Liberal members of parliament are warriors for social justice.

Not even Odysseus could sail between the publicists and warriors unscathed. Black and white makes life so simple.

Most people expect news-papers to report the news, not create it.

Now, many newspapers only write about events that support their narrative. Continue reading “Fundamentalism in Medical Politics”