Monday, May 12, 2014

How you use "influence" matters

These stories are always a bit silly, but sometimes they deserve comment.

Modern Healthcare published its annual "50 Most Influential Physicians and Leaders."

First, some advice.  If you have to go look at the article to see if you are in it, you are not.

Second, as we look at this, we need to understand that some people are in it because of what they have done and what they are doing.  Just to name two of many in that category, we can see Richard Gilfillan, CEO of CHE Trinity Health, and USCF's Bob Wachter. 

Others, on the other hand, are on the list solely because of the positions they hold, even if they have not contributed very much to the advancement of safe and effective clinical care, improvement in medical education, or the like.  These are folks who, frankly, are the dinosaurs of the profession, who have moved up to the "top" over the years but who are holding back the kind of disruption needed in the health care industry.

I guess, in that sense, they are "influential," but not in a way that we would like to see.  They have not used their influence in hospitals, lobbying organizations, and other institutions to make a noticeable or lasting difference.

No, I will not name them, but I do hope they have an opportunity for early retirement so some fresh blood can take their place.

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