Every physician that I know locally knew that PeaceHealth wasn’t being entirely truthful with us, the greater physician community, about the Eugene Emergency Physician situation. The federal judge actually stated that it was obvious some of the plaintiff witnesses were lying under oath! No wonder PeaceHealth decided to reverse course and offer EEP a contract.
When we enter the medical profession we take an oath dedicating ourselves to the service of humanity, and we promise to take care of each other like family. Think about it; a hospital is a great beacon of hope for a community. It is a commitment to take care of each other at times of our greatest need.
Fulfilling this commitment requires a lot of resources. Resources is another word for money. The money-handlers realize this, and now medicine is Big Business.
That’s why this is somewhat a pyrrhic victory. We just witnessed a playbook about how to shatter a team and destroy psychological safety. Not only that, it was a playbook of how corporations (or governments) consolidate power and break opposition.
We need a different playbook in medicine. In my well-being work, I’ve come to realize that, almost more than anything else, physicians benefit from training in self-advocacy and from the power of the group. That’s why I often refer to my work as well-being training. It combines team building with individual coaching in leadership and well-being.
Is it time to implement this different playbook in your world? Reach out!
-Dr. Joe
Photo by Mpho Mojapelo onUnsplash
