A New Way Forward in Healthcare
"Things just aren’t the way they used to be."
This is one of the most common statements I hear from my late-career physician clients, particularly male surgeons accustomed to being captains of their ships in the operating room (O.R.) for decades. For years, they’ve led teams where every member knew their precise role, catered to the surgeon’s preferences, and even curated playlists for procedures.
At first glance, this might sound selfish or even authoritarian. But in my experience, most of these surgeons aren’t seeking power for its own sake. They genuinely believe that maintaining control is essential for delivering the best care to their patients. And if you were the patient, wouldn’t you want a surgeon operating with that level of confidence and control?
Yet, the world of medicine has changed.
Today, most surgeons are employees of health systems, working under strict guidelines that dictate which O.R. team members, equipment, and schedules are available to them. They often face the frustration of having their surgeries delayed or bumped to accommodate others. For patients, this can sound unsettling. For physicians, it can be deeply demoralizing.
At the same time, female surgeons, O.R. nurses, and techs have long been fighting against a culture of hierarchy and misogyny that often undervalued their voices and contributions. They have endured environments where speaking up, even for patient safety, was not always welcome.
Now, as corporate medicine continues to dominate and healthcare systems push everyone to fit into standardized workflows, it’s easy to feel trapped between two undesirable extremes: the rigid, hierarchical structures of the past and the impersonal, “cookie-cutter” culture of today.
But is this really the only way forward?
A Vision for Collaborative Healthcare
While we may not be able to halt the corporatization of medicine or the influence of insurance companies overnight, we can cultivate a new culture within healthcare that’s collaborative, compassionate, and inclusive.
Here are a few steps we can take to shape this future:
Acknowledging Privilege and Inequities: Male physicians can reflect on how traditional systems placed them in privileged positions while sidelining others. Recognizing and addressing this injustice is crucial for moving forward.
Bridging Generational Gaps: Younger healthcare professionals can approach senior colleagues with compassion, understanding that their behaviors often stem from a desire to achieve the best patient outcomes, not malice.
Modeling Respectful Leadership: Physician and nursing leaders can foster environments of mutual respect and curiosity by modeling collaborative communication and compassion.
Empowering Healthcare Teams: Administrators can engage physicians and staff in co-creating protocols and procedures that truly work for their teams rather than blindly applying generic templates.
Building a Better Future
It’s true: things are no longer the way they used to be. But that’s not entirely a bad thing. The challenge — and opportunity — lies in working together to create something better. Physicians, nurses, and administrators all play a role in shaping a healthcare system where teamwork and mutual respect are prioritized, leading to better outcomes for both caregivers and patients.
Let’s embrace this transition as a chance to redefine our roles and relationships within the healthcare system. Together, we can build a new way forward — one that honors the humanity in all of us while ensuring the highest quality of care for those we serve.
This newsletter aims to inspire reflection and action in your professional journey. If you’d like to explore how coaching can help you navigate these changes and find fulfillment in your career, let’s connect!