Greg Andreas’ Post

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Physician, presenter, quality improvement nerd Snow shovel developer and story collector

To be fair, Mike Tyson mouth punched a lot of people's plans. So why do so few people do "Advanced Care Planning"? Probably because we forget that life can punch... and because our system doesn't value early ACP, either. This type of planning is about relationship. A relationship between person and system. If it isn't valued by either party or by only one party, it has no value. It has to be valued by both. If not, the dominant culture, dominates. That plan "wins". If both parties value a planning relationship it's value increases proportionately to their investment. And that relationship can evolve with time. In our acute care system, if a person living with advancing frailty is worn down after waiting, not asked, doesn't have access to the good washrooms or a decent cuppa, is both sick and exhausted... and then gets plugged into the home advantage of algorithmic hospital medicine, feels psychologically dominated, scared, unsafe and thus less likely to speak or be heard; they and their ACP gets a system delivered mouth punch every time. It takes leadership to see, feel, and plan for everyone's benefit. If healthcare leaders don't value ACP in our culture, we waste our time and the hurt continues. It's a curious culture that supports ACP and is a different way of caring. A relationship. No independent patient effort can effectively and consistently challenge our medical culture. We are the dominant force. Often, like a boxer an ACP isn't written anywhere, until it is. And yet it is in action all the time. It has dynamic elements. For better or worse. It is in asking and listening. An investing together in something that WE support. Valuing, planning, updating should be a priority that is pared with traditional medical skills and strong system leadership. Understanding in the value and care currency of WMTY, ACP relationships start at the top. It is a powerful and beautiful opportunity to invest in each others wellbeing. It is time for us to make it safe to share. To help each other value and hold each others plan. Regardless of how hard life hits us. Government of Canada Pallium Canada Interior Health Authority Doctors of BC College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia Provincial Health Services Authority Divisions of Family Practice #culture #inclusion #frailty #WMTY #leadership #planning #patientvoice #kindness

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Mikaela Sloat

Emergent healthcare leader

5mo

Wow ! Well said

Claire Snyman

Healthcare Advocate | Patient Experience Consultant | Marketing & Bus. Dev. Professional | Author | Speaker | TEDx Speaker

5mo

Such a meaningful post. Thank you for sharing.

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