Time for healthcare to get a Pep Talk!

We all need a pep talk from time to time.  This week Kid President gave me one.  If you haven’t seen his Pep Talk, watch it now. 

Robby, is age 9.  He has Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) a brittle bone condition which has resulted in him having over 70 breaks since birth. What's inspiring about Robby isn't his condition, but the fact that his condition doesn't define who he is. In spite of all he's been through he not only keeps going - he dances.

All those working on improving the healthcare system should take note of his good advice and healthy attitude. 

1.       Stop being boring!  The healthcare system is not working, it’s messed up.  It’s time for a creative solution!   Change is tough but it’s time to change the status quo, even if it’s only a tiny bit.  Our bodies are complex systems, supported by a healthcare system that is even more complex.  There are no easy simple solutions.  Stop waiting for someone else to fix this.   Stop complaining about it and finger pointing that’s boring and a waste of time and energy! 

2.       Are we on the same team?  Healthcare professionals, governments, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, healthcare consumers and self-described saviours of the healthcare system.    It doesn’t always seem like we are on the same team, working towards the same goal.  Providers putting profit ahead of care, drugs that cause more harm than good, policies that are too short sighted to achieve any positive change, consumers that don’t take personal responsibility for their decisions.  If we are all on the same team we should be working towards the same goal.  All of us living with optimal health.  Let’s each take some personal responsibility to make one small change for the better. 

3.       This is life people!  It’s short and it’s fragile and we should make the most of it while we are here.  Our health has a lot to do with how long we get to live and the quality of that time.  There are lots of factors that will impact our health so pay attention to all of them.  Good health relies on more than a good healthcare system … lots more.  Lifestyle behaviours, education, social connections, environment, employment, culture and gender all play a role in how healthy we are.  Manage what is within your control and work with those factors that other people control.   

4.       What will be your Space Jam?  Maybe it’s a lifestyle change that will help you live longer and healthier, or opening up communications with your patients to engage them more in their care, or maybe you have an idea that will improve the system or make life easier for people.  Don’t give up.  Believe in a healthy you, a healthy community and a healthy world. 

It’s your health.  It’s your health information.   Manage it well.