Creativity as a Cure in a Crisis
The healthcare community has always been a reservoir for creativity and innovation. This coronavirus pandemic has been a stimulus for creativity in healthcare. For example:
- Recruiting therapy dogs to support our healthcare workers during long shifts on the frontlines.
- Making Airbnb locations available to healthcare workers so that they can rest and stay close to work.
- Using telemedicine to care for patients, eliminating many face-to-face visits.
The benefit is that we can apply constructive solutions immediately, and as a result, reduce our anxiety and burnout.
In this crisis, there is a sense that past rules don't necessarily apply. Look at Ford Motor Company adapting its assembly line from cars to ventilators. There is a proposal for Eastman Kodak to produce chemicals needed for pharmaceuticals.
We also see bureaucratic rules being relaxed, like allowances for telemedicine reimbursement, fast-tracking of relicensing for recently retired healthcare workers, and even early graduation for med students.
Bottom line: A Buddhist proverb says that when a student is ready, a teacher will be found. I will be creative and modify it for today: When a crisis appears on our doorstep, creativity will offer a cure.
|
|
Neil H. Baum, MD is chief medical advisor to Vanguard Communications and author of two books: Marketing Your Clinical Practice - Ethically, Effectively, and Economically, now in its 4th edition, and The Complete Business Guide to a Successful Medical Practice.
Dr. Baum has been dubbed "Dr. Wiz" for his love of magic and his urology specialty practice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
