An Interesting Question at a Baby Shower
I do not get invited to many baby showers. Before last month I do not think that I had ever been to a baby shower. Is it something about me, or is it just a cultural thing? Whatever, I was delighted when my wife announced that a couple of dear friends decided that the...
Healthcare Musings for July 6, 2018
6 July 2018 Dear Interested Readers, Welcome to The New “Healthcare Musings” Friday Letter! If you are reading these words you have made a transition! I talk alot about change. I know that whether I like it or not most things around me, and most...
“There’ll Be Some Changes Made,” Unfortunately
I envy guitar players. I wish that I was decent plucker of strings. I have been trying to make progress in this area for forty years. Two of my greatest disappointments in life are that I have never become proficient enough with any musical instrument to feel...
I Believe In Atul!
My wife called while I was out walking to let me know that she had just heard that Atul Gawande had been named as CEO for the new healthcare organization that is proposed as a joint venture between Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, and JP Morgan Chase. I was surprised at...
Joy In Practice, Part II
Over the years I have had some strange dreams. In one recurrent dream I am back in high school playing football. It is not like the old days when I was an All Star. Despite the fact that I feel that I am at least as good as the other guys, even though I am in my...
Examining “Joy in Practice”Through the Lens of Personal Experience
Last year I was delighted to write a preface for the book on patient and family centered practice written by Anthony DiGioia and Eve Shapiro, The Patient Centered Value System: Transforming Healthcare through Co-Design. Recently Eve emailed me with the request that I...
Understanding How the Amazing Success of the 9.9 Percent is a Risk to Better Healthcare for Everyone
I saw aristocracy up close at Harvard Medical School. I quickly realized that some of my classmates were from families that were either power brokers in New York or Washington, or were the elite of American medicine. I discerned that I had been slotted into the class...
The Triple Aim Depends on Developing Leadership With Commitment to Mission, “Soft Skills,” and Integrity
Does the Triple Aim depend on leaders who demonstrate a commitment to the larger mission, have “soft skills,” and obvious integrity? The answers seem to be obvious: yes, yes, and yes. My friend Michael Soman, the retired president of the Medical Group of the old...
We Must Be Inept Because We Do Spend Enough To Do a Better Job
When my own wellspring of inspiration and self proclaimed insight seems to be temporarily running dry, I compensate by passing on to readers what I am learning from others. There has been a lot to learn from others and to pass on recently. I was particularly intrigued...Case Study – Elizabeth Mcarthy
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