If You Are Going to be Bear, be a Grizzly | David Ansell | TEDxRushU

Summary

In this compelling talk, the speaker reflects on their journey as a doctor, from initially struggling in medical school to embracing the cause of healthcare as a human right. They recount their experiences at Cook County Hospital, where they witnessed the challenges of the uninsured and the inequities in healthcare. By combining personal stories, data, and action, the speaker advocated for change, contributing to the passing of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. They emphasize the importance of speaking out against injustice, overcoming personal censorship, and facing resistance in the pursuit of meaningful change.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker was initially troubled during medical school, considering quitting to become a forest ranger, but found purpose after understanding the complexities of healthcare and its inaccessibility.
• 😀 The speaker learned early on that healthcare is a human right, and that being a doctor was not just about treating patients, but addressing systemic healthcare issues.
• 😀 After facing challenges, the speaker and their peers decided to train at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, known for its representation of both the positive and negative aspects of American healthcare.
• 😀 Despite warnings that training at Cook County would harm their careers, the speaker and their peers chose to work there to experience firsthand the challenges they aimed to address.
• 😀 The speaker realized that just being a good doctor was not enough; one had to actively work for change, especially in underserved healthcare environments like Cook County.
• 😀 In their early days, the speaker struggled with public speaking, realizing that while passion and ideas were important, effective communication was essential for advocacy and change.
• 😀 A breakthrough moment came when the speaker developed the formula: 'narrative + data + action = change' after conducting a study on the transfer of uninsured patients from Cook County to other hospitals.
• 😀 The study revealed startling findings about the treatment of uninsured patients and ultimately led to the publication of a paper that gained national attention and contributed to legislative change (the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act).
• 😀 The speaker learned that pursuing change in healthcare would meet resistance, and that pushing through this resistance was necessary for true progress.
• 😀 Over the years, the speaker came to understand the importance of addressing uncomfortable truths, such as racism and white supremacy, within the healthcare system, recognizing that change starts within institutions themselves.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial reaction to medical school during their first year?

The speaker found medical school to be overwhelming and was so troubled that they considered quitting and becoming a forest ranger.

What realization helped the speaker to stay in medical school and continue their journey?

The speaker realized that healthcare is a human right, which became their 'true north' and motivated them to stay in medical school.

What made Cook County Hospital an ideal training ground for the speaker and their peers?

Cook County Hospital was seen as a place at the crossroads of everything that was right and wrong with healthcare in America, making it an ideal environment for learning about healthcare inequities.

What challenges did the speaker face while working at Cook County Hospital?

The speaker faced difficult working conditions, including a lack of resources like interpreters and medical equipment. Additionally, the hospital had been discredited and was in poor physical condition, which presented further challenges.

What role did the speaker take in advocating for healthcare at Cook County?

The speaker actively participated in protests, such as picketing to keep Cook County Hospital open, and later worked to collect data on the hospital's care and its issues with patient transfers.

What was the main finding from the speaker's study on patient transfers at Cook County Hospital?

The study found that a significant number of patients were being transferred due to lack of insurance, with many of the transfers being based on false reasons like 'no beds' at the receiving hospital.

What was the outcome of the speaker's study on patient transfers?

The study was published in the New England Journal of Medicine and helped raise awareness about the systemic issue of transferring uninsured patients. This led to the passage of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), which mandates that hospitals provide emergency care to all patients, regardless of insurance status.

How did the speaker deal with the resistance and criticism they faced from colleagues and institutions?

The speaker learned that resistance is a natural part of being an agent for change and that one must expect criticism when speaking out about uncomfortable truths. They also emphasized the importance of persistence in the face of opposition.

What lesson did the speaker learn about the importance of speaking out?

The speaker learned that speaking out about injustices, even when uncomfortable, is essential for creating change. Overcoming personal and external censorship is crucial for addressing important issues like healthcare inequities and racism.

What connection does the speaker make between racism and healthcare?

The speaker highlights that addressing racism is essential to understanding the root causes of health disparities and improving public health. They argue that healthcare institutions must confront racism within their systems in order to make real progress in healthcare equity.