AHA!

In this episode, we begin by exploring the topic of mental health and how it has been impacting residents within the hospital. As we begin to unpack the article we begin to highlight how the pandemic is shining a light on the system of productivity that has been perfected over the last 10 decades within medicine. What the pandemic has done is placed a spotlight on the cracks, the kinks in the chain, and the areas that are most vulnerable within this production system, exposed them, and forced the entire systems at large to falter. Those that are the most responsible for the care, oversight, and management of people in our communities and the patients that may become, are the same professionals that are now at more risk than ever to suffer from isolation, stress, pressure, mental health, and the physical manifestations. We end the episode by highlighting what we can do, at the N of 1, leveraging the foundations of stoicism to help us become aware of the things we can change, the things we cannot, and the difference between the two situations. Remember, we make change, beginning with ourselves, at the N of 1. Articles explored: https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2020/10/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-resident-burnout-and-how-we-can-combat-it.html ; https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidplans/2020/10/12/workplace-mental-health-where-to-from-here/#55fb7c335259 ; https://medium.com/@writing.ejp/why-stoicism-is-so-darn-popular-right-now-728b6868dd3f 

In this episode, we get into several heavy topics: President Trump being diagnosed with COVID-19, racism in medicine, and the need for physicians to help us transition from healthcare back to medicine. 

We need to understand that the pandemic we live in today is a matter of choice. Our choice to acknowledge, to do our part, and to ensure the safety of ourselves, our family, the people in our community, and the patients that they may become in life. This is serious. It is a matter of life and death. 

We need to address that racism does exist in medicine. From patients being disrespectful to physicians, or from administrative staff and colleagues. It is real. It does exist. We need to discuss it openly. We need to ensure that our leaders are prepared to address it in real-time, to say it is unacceptable, and to have the tools and support system for our colleagues to continue to allow them to practice their art in a safe environment. 

Our last topic is that there is a difference between medicine and healthcare. It is real. It is something we all experience. We need to choose which we want, and make that choice at the N of 1. 

In this episode, we explore the opportunity Walmart has as they begin to open more healthcare (medical) clinics that offer a comprehensive set of services including imaging such as X-Ray and other diagnostic services. With more than 250 million visits per week globally it offers Walmart a footprint, access, and an opportunity to meet more people locally, during their normal daily life activities, and to potentially "nudge" their customers towards slightly better choices. At the same time, many of us do not think of Walmart in terms of customer service. However, a N of 1 experience demonstrates that their customer service may be the thing that helps Walmart achieve success. In addition, we discuss the topic of work culture and opening up the ability for other functions to learn, collaborate, and cross-pollinate with their co-workers. The first two topics lend themselves to our final topic, which is the importance of empathy. Taking the time to listen, observe, and understand the experience of another is just the thing that allows us to be more successful, to be great leaders, and to offer wonderful customer service. 

This week's episode we welcome a special guest, Shawn Prince. Shawn is an expert in healthcare policy, reimbursement, and payment and government management. Shawn shares with us his views on how the RO-APM will potentially impact radiation oncologists, hospitals/clinics, insurance carriers, especially Medicare, and patients. The final rule was announced publicly on Sept 18, 2020. If you want to read the full 950+ pages of the final rule and policy you can find the link here: CMS Final RO-APM Rule

We discuss with Shawn on what to expect, what it means, and how to interpret some of the key aspects to this final rule. The question will become, will you be deemed an efficient or inefficient "provider" in radiation oncology? 

Today's episode we begin by looking at 3 interesting concepts to help focus on work that is the most important. Everyone has heard of and perhaps used to-do lists. We explore 3 concepts: Alarms, Just-in-Time learning, and the 20% itch rule. Our second topic on Nompohbia, or the loss of not being able to access a mobile device and the ramifications it has on sleep patterns. Our last topic highlights using codfish skin to help regenerate new skin for burn victims. The common theme with all of the topics is a balancing act between technology and nature. Nature has found a way to survive over millions of years. The more we can understand nature, and apply those learnings to life, the further we can take humanity in a positive step forward. A step towards living, healing, and caring at the N of 1. 

#004 Will The New Norm Shift Culture?

We investigate the topic of the "new norm" and what it means to our culture. Perhaps the new norm isn't new at all but rather what we should have been doing all along, wearing a mask when we aren't feeling well. For those of us that work within the world of medicine, perhaps being an ethical leader continues on beyond any pandemic, and means wearing a mask when we have signs or symptoms of not feeling well. We review how we believe the Unites States is performing when it comes to social distancing, wearing a mask, and being aware of others around us. 

#003 we begin with the story of Chernobyl. If you were given personal safety equipment and told that you needed to go outside and perform a cleanup, were being timed, and then had to come out immediately and be showered off, what would you think? What would you do? We explore how this relates to the similar situation of what it is like to go out in the world with the current pandemic. Amidst all of the chaos and misinformation, we debate the importance of our kids returning back to school. We highlight the social contract that is required for all of us in order to ensure the safety of our children as they go back to school.