From superhero to team leader: a pivotal moment for the medical profession
On May 1, National Physicians' Day, we recognized the remarkable contribution that physicians and medical residents make every day to maintain the health and well-being of all. For me, the day also prompted me to reflect on how the medical profession has evolved over the last 30 years. Society is changing, health care is evolving, and medical practice must adapt accordingly.
We have gone from an era without technology, when medical knowledge was based mainly on the knowledge accumulated by doctors over the years, stored in their minds or in encyclopedias sometimes 10 years old, to a reality where the cutting edge of medicine is constantly updated on technological platforms.
We have also moved from an era when patients had limited access to information to an era where social networks are often the main source of information, sometimes unvalidated. In the past, patients' expectations of results were limited, whereas today these expectations can sometimes be difficult to meet.
The doctor of yesteryear worked tirelessly, often to the detriment of their personal life. For the new generation, work-life balance is now of prime importance. All these developments are putting increasing pressure on the medical profession, and the distress of doctors has become tangible. This distress is partly caused by the response to the difficult access to care that the population is facing; doctors feel exhausted by the pressure to always succeed and meet all expectations, without ever making a mistake.
In my opinion, there’s only one solution to these challenges: collaboration. I have always thought that it's more effective to master a specific area than to have a general knowledge of many areas. We need to learn to delegate certain tasks to other health care professionals and accept that we don't have all the answers. We need to break down barriers and invest in collaborative work.
The medical profession needs to surround itself with professionals possessing complementary expertise to meet the varied needs of the population and improve clinical outcomes. The doctor is the team leader, but the team of the future must be made up of a diverse range of specialists to create synergy and offer the best possible care. As the saying goes, "there is no 'I' in team"; each member of the team must contribute fully to its success. I'm convinced that the medical profession is ready to take up this challenge, as are respiratory therapists, psychologists, pharmacists, physiotherapists and our many other colleagues.
As leaders, we must support this change and this transformation of the health care system. It's also important for the public to understand that doctors are not superheroes, but team leaders and human beings dedicated to their patients' well-being.
Dr. Natalie Banville
Senior Vice President of Client Programs, Intrahospital Services and Medical Affairs
The “Voice of Our Leaders,” the blog of Vitalité Health Network’s Leadership Team, covers various topics related to transformation of the health system. The team members share their thoughts – transparently and from their own perspectives – on the issues, challenges and priorities within their areas of responsibility and the health system as a whole. Happy reading and happy reflection!
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