VIRTUAL MEDICINE BEYOND THE BORDERS

"There are many ways to connect with your patients"

The doctors in our social media show all participate in educating beyond clinical practice. They are all family doctors that have seen that one on one interactions, though necessary, only serve a small community. Reaching beyond the office, they have used the power of (social) media to educate, empower and connect with patients. We admire their trailblazing and wonder where they get the time.

Dr. Yoni Freedhoff is ubiquitous. He is more than a family doctor. He is more than an assistant professor. He is more than a bariatric medicine specialist, dealing with the "weighty matters" of medical conditions related to extra poundage. He is well spoken. Walks the talk, in fact he runs the talk. Check out his blog and see his commitment to nutrition, healthy eating and active living. He had no script. He spoke from the heart as he shared his stories and knowledge. He is truly motivated in making a difference in people's lives by teaching them what they learned as children. You are meant to be active and eat only what is necessary. Advertisers and marketing executives manipulate our atavistic instincts. They make things cheap, accessible, and highly tasty, so they can make money. They are not interested in our health and well being. Eat sensibly and not to excess. Stay active. Listen to Yoni.

Dr. Merrilee Fullerton is a twitter and blogging sensation. Of course, she also is a family doctor. She has real leadership credentials as a member of the City of Ottawa Board of Health, past president of the Academy of Medicine Ottawa, instructor at the Physician Management Institute and her involvement at Ontario Medical Association and Canadian Medical Association. Check out her blog and her opinions that suggest we should have the crucial conversations and make hard decisions. She is truly motivated in improving the dialogue in health care for ALL CANADIANS. Merrilee is provoking conversations that patients, physicians, politicians and all stake holders must have. Read and follow Merrilee.

Dr. Barry Dworkin is a powerhouse. As a family doctor, professor, writer, blogger, local celebrity on CFRA radio, he is a one man dynamo. His calming voice on the radio makes me laugh and think. I have admired his tenacity and vigour for some time. His raison d'etre to remove quackery and sensationalism in medicine is compelling. We need more doctors in media willing to challenge the musings and dire demonstrations of non scientific media types. I could do an entire show on Barry's opinions and inquisitions. Check out his blog and radio show. You will not be disappointed. And Dr. Dworkin still makes house calls!

You will learn to find a reliable source of evidence based medical counsel. You will learn to questions advertisements or sensationalistic stories. You will be be motivated to track your own health parameters.

I look forward to bringing their stories to you.
Humbly, Dr. A squared.

To be continued...

TAKE HOME messages for LEADING THE WAY THE WAY FORWARD IN MEDICINE

1. Seize opportunities when possible.
2. Value ethical decisions over expedient ones.
3. If you cannot figure something out, ask others for support.

There is much more to learn when you listen to our leaders. Feel free to post your comments, ideas, thoughts, and be part of the conversation.

Humbly, Dr. A squared

To be continued...

LEADING THE WAY FORWARD IN MEDICINE

 "Leadership is more than standing in front of the room and spouting platitudes."

The doctors in our leadership show are ones that have worked at various levels adding more value at every step. They worked in their own practices, as family doctors or psychiatrists. They worked in their local communities. Because of their humble personalities building consensus along the way and rewarding hard work and willing to do the dirty work, they were selected or promoted or they volunteered to lead when others stayed silent.  

"People lined up behind them"

Dr. Gail Beck is a psychiatrist, mother of 5, fluently bilingual, leader locally, provincially, nationally and internationally, recipient of the Order of Ontario and Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal. I have known her for 6 years and she surprises me every time with her kindness and wisdom. She shares a story about her struggle with the Ministry in Labour negotiations then switches to a story about meeting Adrienne Clarkson and Margaret Atwood at the Diamond Jubilee Installation and then closes with her presentation at the United Nations on the Status of Women. I smile and gently shake my head. She is truly representative of the Great Canadian Doctor. 

Dr. Robert Cushman is well known to the citizens of Ottawa as Medical Officer of Health. But did you know he went to Harvard to do a BA in economics, worked in Canada's north serving the Cree and Inuit when it was not considered "in vogue", and started serving our Quebecois neighbours as a medical officer before serving in Ottawa. He helped start the wave of smoke free environments making Ottawa a world leader in this type of legislation. He also is humble. He acknowledged all of the workers at the filming. As he has climbed the ladder to CEO of the Champlain LHIN to now a Director at Health Canada, he has always remained true to those around him. He accepted my invitation to be on the show immediately. He was kind and graceful - a true gentleman.

 Dr. John Gray comes across as a quiet man. But he is a giant! Dr. Gray is past president of the Ontario Medical Association representing over 25,000 doctors in Ontario. He is past board director of the Canadian Medical Association. And today he is the CEO of the Canadian Medical Protection Association. He is responsible for the legal defence and liability protection of over 78,000 Canadian doctors. They are leaders in ensuring lower medical costs, and improving patient safety. These are very large medical organizations that need strong leaders with conviction, ethics, and people skills. Dr. Gray is like so many doctors - more than meets the eye.

You will learn about seizing the opportunities around you. You will learn to value ethical decisions over expedient ones. And you will ask for help when you need it.

I look forward to bringing their stories to you.
Humbly, Dr. A squared

To be continued...

THE BEGINNING...

"I was nervous, enthralled, overwhelmed and eager to start the new TV show. "

Rogers TV wanted a medical show, but there were already too many medical shows and I did not want to be next Dr. Sanjay Gupta or the next Dr. OZ. It is not about marketing; it is about medicine.

In Ottawa, there was the famous Dr. Barry Dworkin who had an incredible show dealing with evidence based medicine. He taught people to critically think about the fantastic cures being touted by advertisers disguised as medical researchers. There was Dr. Peter Lin of CBC radio. The voice of medicine simplified with humour and panache every Wednesday morning. Of course, who can forgot the larger than life personality and medical documentaries of Dr. Brian Goldman. White Coat, Black Art is a staple in my life. These were mentors to emulate, but I wanted to do something different.

On another thought, society tends to value and idolize film and music celebrities, sports heroes and politicians. One can argue that media celebrities offer very little to our lives except escape and gossip. In many ways they are the antithesis to personal health and well being. Sports heroes perform miraculous physical achievements for their own fame and tremendous fortune but there are very few that exemplify the values for which we should all strive: preventative health measures, non promiscuity, balance in life, and public service. There are only a few Clara Hughes' and Daniel Alfredssons out there. Finally, politicians provide public service and intellectual challenge. They are involved in representing us while at the same time governing us. They are walking a fine line of special interest groups, popular opinion, loyalty to the their party, lobbyists, financial supporters, and their constituents. This is an extremely fine tight rope to balance upon.

Finally, I work day in day out with many great doctors that work extremely hard to improve people's lives. They share their patient's pains, sorrows, fears, joys, and bewilderment. These men and women work quietly in the background. They skip meals, finish paperwork late into the night, answer phone calls at there children's birthday parties, work on holidays, and use their free time to improve the lives of Ontarians with medical issues.

                                                 I am talking about doctors that let you in when they are having lunch to suture up your child's chin. I am talking about the doctor that visits homeless people under a bridge. I am talking about the doctor that goes to your home in the middle of the night because your wife is vomiting blood from metastatic liver cancer and is suffering from pain. I am talking about the doctor that holds your hand as you try your hardest to push out your first child and explains why you need a c-section after working with you all night to deliver your baby. I am talking about the doctor that explains why you don't need an antibiotic when you have a viral infection. I am talking about the doctor that goes to the crime scene with dismembered body parts and investigates what happened without throwing up.  

 "These are your true heroes."

I look forward to bringing their stories to you.
Humbly, DR A squared.

To be continued...