EP438: Recognizing Cognitive Dissonance and Thinking About How to Overcome It When in the Belly of the Beast, With John Lee, MD
May 30, 2024
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Dr. John Lee, an ER physician and chief medical information officer, discusses navigating cognitive dissonance in healthcare, highlighting the importance of celebrating small wins, fostering a supportive culture, and driving incremental improvements. He emphasizes the challenges of delivering better patient care within a system that values financial incentives over preventive care and the significance of aligning actions with personal values despite obstacles.
Healthcare professionals face cognitive dissonance navigating beliefs and actions in large organizations.
Supportive culture, celebrating small wins, and incremental improvements aid in addressing healthcare challenges.
Individual contributions, grassroots efforts, and collaborative initiatives drive positive change in healthcare systems.
Deep dives
Recognizing Cognitive Dissonance in Healthcare
Cognitive dissonance is prevalent in the healthcare industry, arising when actions conflict with beliefs or when contradictory beliefs coexist. This phenomenon is challenging in healthcare, especially for clinicians close to patients, as they witness firsthand the consequences of their actions. However, as individuals move further from direct patient care, connecting actions to downstream impacts becomes more complex. The podcast explores how moral injury and burnout are commonly associated with clinicians and professionals navigating cognitive dissonance, emphasizing the need to address this internal conflict.
Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Healthcare Organizations
Working in large healthcare organizations like hospitals presents ethical dilemmas where conflicting priorities can lead to breaches of trust. Despite systemic challenges, there are dedicated professionals striving to prioritize patient care within these environments. The episode discusses the importance of celebrating small successes, acknowledging limitations, and fostering incremental improvements to benefit both patients and colleagues. It highlights the significance of creating a supportive network of like-minded individuals to navigate moral and ethical complexities.
Transformative Approach to Healthcare System Improvement
Amidst systemic pressures and hierarchical structures in healthcare, individuals face barriers in enacting meaningful change. The episode underscores the need for incremental progress and recognizing individual contributions in the transformation of healthcare systems. By focusing on small improvements like waste reduction and process optimization, professionals can collectively drive positive change, emphasizing the power of grassroots efforts and collaborative initiatives to shift cultural norms and practices.
Building Supportive Networks for Healthcare Professionals
Creating a culture of openness, feedback, and collaboration is pivotal for supporting healthcare professionals in addressing cognitive dissonance and ethical challenges. Encouraging dialogue, offering suggestions for improvement, and fostering a sense of community can empower individuals to advocate for patient-centered care within their organizations. The episode advocates for embracing diversity of perspectives, team-based approaches, and compassionate communication to promote a cohesive healthcare environment conducive to innovation and sustainable change.
Fostering Resilience and Collective Efforts in Healthcare
In navigating the complexities of the healthcare landscape, cultivating resilience, appreciation for incremental progress, and mutual support are essential. Recognizing the impact of individual contributions, fostering a sense of purpose, and facilitating open dialogue can bolster professionals' morale and commitment to driving positive change in healthcare. The episode encourages professionals to find their tribe, seek collaborative opportunities, and prioritize self-care amidst challenges, underscoring the collective strength in advocating for transformative advancements in the healthcare industry.
In this episode of Relentless Health Value we dive into the concept of Cognitive Dissonance in the healthcare industry with Dr. John Lee, an ER physician and chief medical information officer. We explore how healthcare professionals navigate the conflict between their beliefs and actions, especially in large healthcare organizations. Dr. Lee shares practical advice on celebrating small wins, incremental improvements, and fostering a supportive culture among colleagues.
This conversation sheds light on the challenges and solutions for those striving to deliver better patient care despite systemic obstacles.
To read the full article and show notes with links mentioned as well as a full transcript, click here.
Dr. John Lee is an ER (emergency room) doc by training, who is also an informaticist and chief medical information officer. I can tell you from personal experience that Dr. Lee is one of the most creative and pragmatic problem solvers that I have encountered. He says he’s dedicated to trying to help move the ball forward and changing our healthcare system using information technology and using our ability to be far more transparent with the things that we try to do in a positive way in healthcare.
Join us for an insightful discussion on balancing ideals and realities in modern healthcare.
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