Volume 4 Number 1 In This Issue
Real dialogue: six conditions, six ground rules, three barriers
Johny Van Aerde, MD, PhD
Unlike debate and discussion, dialogue does not seek initial agreement, but rather a rich grasp of complex issues for which there is no certainty and no clear agreement, as is the case for many issues related to health systems. Leaders require not only good facilitating skills to guide dialogue successfully, but also the ability to move a group between dialogue and discussion, knowing that the rules and goals of both types of conversation are different. read article
Population health management – Coming soon to a province near you?
Brian N. Jobse, PhD, Isra Levy, MBBCh, MSc, and Owen Adams, PhD
Internationally, two trends in health care are becoming increasingly well established. One is the growing recognition that health care is just one determinant of health status. Prevention and health promotion have a large role to play by affecting the social determinants of health and the sectors that represent them. The second trend is experimentation with approaches to systems funding that aim, increasingly, to share risk and benefits between funders and providers. read article
The way to get there – Working toward balance in Quebec’s health care system
Ruth Vander Stelt, MD
Current leadership culture is based on an outdated command-and-control model that is familiar to all and not inspiring to any. The complex health care system requires a different leadership mindset and physicians who will lead. Complexity leadership may present a palatable alternative for physicians. This model encompasses operational, entrepreneurial, and enabling leadership. read article
Thriving online when dealing with controversial topics and strong opinions
Shawn Whatley, MD
In 2012, public affairs experts told doctors to go wild on social media. They said Twitter could beat government. I followed orders, opened social media accounts, and started shouting into space. In late 2013, I even started a blog. However, expressing strong views online can be risky as it may trigger controversy and conflict. The following tips can help you be heard, stay out of trouble, and retain the respect of your opponent and the people reading your thinking. read article
Building blocks or connecting dots: steps toward physician leadership
Abraham (Rami) Rudnick, MD
The path to leadership may take a long-term planning approach or an opportunistic route, but I believe that it is often a combination in different proportions depending on the individual and the stage of their career. Effective physician leadership development may also benefit from an occasional look back at past choices to learn from the past, optimize the present, and prepare for the future. read article
OPINION: Not personalized medicine, but personal medicine
André Picard, BCom, PhD
This spring André Picard received honorary doctorates from three universities: Carleton, University of British Columbia, and University of Toronto. The convocation speech that he delivered to medical graduates at the University of Toronto on 7 June 2017 is reprinted here, slightly abbreviated, with permission.
read article
Book Review: Managing the Myths of Health Care Bridging the Separations between Care, Cure, Control, and Community
Henry Mintzberg
Berrett-Koehler, 2017
Reviewed by Johny Van Aerde
Book Review: Matters of Life and Death Public Health Issues in Canada
André Picard
Douglas and McIntyre, 2017
Reviewed by Johny Van Aerde