Arina Cadariu MD MPH

Unfortunately, decision-making alongside physicians has become a rarity in our profession. Only those physicians who work independently can still claim to have a significant role in decision-making. The current healthcare system, dominated by corporate interests and burdened by metrics like Press Ganey scores, leaves little room for genuine decision-making collaboration. Physicians, often overwhelmed by administrative burdens and high-stress environments, struggle to have their voices heard. Many, burdened by high college debt, find themselves merely trying to survive within these corporate systems rather than acting according to their professional values.

In my last 10 years of clinical practice at Yale, I cannot provide a single example of "active listening" either as a personal experience or an observed story involving a colleague speaking to administration. During this period, I have witnessed a significant number of my peers leave their positions, with statistics showing that 1 in 5 physicians quit their jobs during the pandemic in the US. The dialogue with physicians has been increasingly politicized. Additionally, the burden of high college debt forces many physicians to operate in survival mode within corporate systems, often compromising their values and priorities in patient care.

The current healthcare system often makes it challenging for physicians to focus on emotional intelligence (EI) due to several systemic issues, such as corporoate influence, meaningless metrics (i.e Press Ganey scores) administrative burdens, high stress environment and complete lack of support. To counter these negative influences : 1. Stay driven by the goal of providing excellent patient centered care. 2. Maintain pforessionalism, to ensure own emotions don't lead to impuslive decisions 3. Understand your emotions, find your why and quit jobs which have become meaningless.

Heroes often emerge in the most unexpected and dire circumstances, exemplifying bravery, selflessness, and quick thinking that inspire us all. They assess risk, determine the nature of the emergency and put others first. Consider the teacher who faced down a shooter to save the lives of students. Or the firefighters, whose very job description entails running towards danger when everyone else is fleeing. The US 2nd Ranger Battalion at Pointe du Hoc during D-Day faced near-impossible odds. Scaling steep cliffs under relentless enemy fire to disable long-range guns, their bravery saved D-day for the Allied forces. Assessing risk lies in, the dichotomy between what is prescribed on paper and the heroic acts that occur in moments of crisis.

For me two questions are essential in my analysis of touch-points during my last patient encounter prior to their departure: 1. How easy will it be for you to integrate dietary changes into your daily routine? 2. What are the innovative features you have encountered during your stay? With a specific focus on use of technology, unique dietary plans and the quality of the support mechanisms.

Allow your genuine interest and passions to drive the connections you seek. Focus your attention on specific objectives. Stay curious about an ever-changing multidisciplinary landscape. Learn to use Linkedin to gather information, and share ideas. Participate in discussions, and follow up key-points that resonate with your values and goals. Be honest.