Why we need to develop a whole new mind
THIS WEEK’S WINNER
MANILA, Philippines - Dr. Raymond Oliver A. Cruz graduated with a degree in BS Biology from UST. He studied Medicine at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, and had his residency training in Family and Community Medicine at UP-PGH. In 2005, Dr. Cruz became a Diplomate of the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians. He is a professor of Biochemistry at the San Beda College of Medicine and the University of Perpetual Help-Dr. Jose G. Tamayo Medical University. He is completing his requirements for a master’s degree in Hospital Administration from UP-Open University.
I am a family physician. To get to where I am today, I had to go through six years of elementary, four years of high school, four years of pre-medical college, four years of medical college, one year of internship, three years of residency, and another year to prepare for the specialty board examination.
I was six years old when I was in first grade; I was 29 when I became a diplomate of the Philippine Academy of Family Physicians. In between those 23 years, I was exposed to the Philippine educational system, which emphasizes left-brain functions like sequential determination, textual comprehension, and detailed analysis. I endured endless hours of reading, listening to lectures, doing laboratory work, and breaking down complexities to come up with logical conclusions.
It was in my second year of residency training when I started to ask: In all my years of learning, am I really preparing myself for the real world? Is logical-mathematical reasoning, which is the main emphasis of our educational system, the true pathway towards a rich and meaningful life? If it is, then why do artists, entrepreneurs, and athletes, with no college degrees to speak of, consistently out-earn doctors, lawyers, and accountants who spend years to earn advanced degrees? Why is it that a lot of high-IQ doctors struggle in private practice after honing their craft in the best training institutions?
A lot of theories have been crafted to respond to these questions. Daniel Goleman’s groundbreaking book, Emotional Intelligence, has led to the measurement of Emotional Intelligence or EQ in order to determine individual aptitudes. Most employers have also incorporated some of its principles in the evaluation and training of employees. It was established about 10 years ago through Goleman’s book that EQ, more than IQ, may be a better predictor of future success.
I also found additional possible answers after reading Daniel Pink’s A Whole New Mind. Pink suggested that in today’s age of conceptual thinking, we need to complement left brain-directed logical-linear-mathematical reasoning with right brain-directed aptitudes. He defined six concepts that are essential in developing the right side of the brain; concepts which, unfortunately, the 23 years I spent in formal education failed in some degree to adequately address.
The first concept is Design. No longer is it adequate for something of value to simply do its function. Just look at cellular phones, for example. Today, people get a plethora of options when they intend to purchase a mobile phone. But between two phones with the same function, capability, and price range, what would clinch your decision to buy? My guess is design. Which is more user-friendly? Which casing looks better? And ultimately, which is more attuned to one’s personality? When we come to think of it, design individualizes preferences and gives the X-factor in what we have to offer. Design is an aptitude that is difficult to duplicate and gives any person or any business a competitive advantage. It is no longer just those who create art who need a high design IQ — engineers, software designers, and lawyers will need design to attract business. And for physicians and health care institutions, it pays to know that patients will always be willing to empty their pockets for doctors and clinics that appeal to their senses.
The second aptitude is the ability to tell a Story. Conveying information is no longer just about simply persuading others through carefully crafted arguments. The ability to produce a compelling narrative will go a long way in stimulating emotions and emphasizing a point. Our lives are full of stories and every one comes from a different perspective that others can learn from. A good story is the reason bestselling authors make a killing, writing novels that we cannot put down. Even for doctors, a person’s narrative is the most reliable information that can be used for an accurate diagnosis – not even the most sophisticated machines can take precedence over the accurate revisiting of the series of events leading to one’s illness.
Want to see the big picture? Then, you must develop Symphony, the aptitude to connect small parts to make a whole. In the medical field, we are so full of specialists — cardiologists, pulmonologists, nephrologists, and so many other “gists” — all experts in dealing with every disease that their specialty covers. However, before these doctors became specialists, they studied general medicine, giving them the ability to diagnose and treat most of the common diseases. It is sad that in the course of our study, general practice is sacrificed for the more lucrative specialty practice. While the fragmentation of medicine has boosted scientific study, it has also alienated the public, making treatment more expensive. Some patients have an endocrinologist, neurologist, and rheumatologist prescribing different medications — with no physician bothering to synthesize and tinker with each specialist’s management. Fortunately, some medical practitioners are now going back to their roots and rediscovering general medical practice. Holistic care is starting to become a medical marketing buzzword once again to emphasize wholeness and synthesis. After all, the future of medicine lies in those who could work across various specialties into new zones that are totally different from their area of expertise.
What gives human beings an edge over computers and machines that can think logically? The answer is Empathy. A doctor who puts herself in another person’s shoes will always have a better connection with the patient compared to a detached expert who simply gives a prescription and asks for a fee. Empathy may also be the answer to reduce the number of medical malpractice suits. They say to err is human and to forgive is divine, and being empathic can make a difference. A good number of lawsuits can be traced to a lack of understanding and communication, and it points to poor interpersonal relations. Empathy greatly supplements objective knowledge, and by dealing emotionally with one another and establishing a deeper relationship, diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic value is enhanced. With empathy, we can make use of the placebo effect in a more positive way. And even if not every healing encounter may result in complete treatment, it would be nice to note that medicine can always have as a product the beautiful art of caring.
Evidence points out to the health benefits of laughter and games. Play enables us to see the bright side of things during moments of difficulty and despair. Medical training is full of stressful events, and having a lighter side enables us to release the burden of having life in our hands. It’s too bad that some consultants are too serious about conducting patient rounds — it is a sign of insubordination for some to be caught laughing or even just smiling while discussing clinical management strategies. Work and play is no toxic combination – in fact, the zanier the antics, the more memorable the healing process becomes. Humor has its value in medical treatment, and a punch line or two, when used sensibly, relieves tension and helps convey relevant messages.
Finally, it is of no value to have everything unless we bring meaning to what we accomplish. We need to transcend our carnal desires and seek spiritual fulfillment. In the book Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl, it was revealed that we are motivated not by material possessions but by the significance of our existence. Stripped down to our nakedness, Frankl says that we see the reason for being — not to seek pleasure, but to be revered, remembered, and respected. We live in a world of abundance. Once we see the value of our profession and do our best to uplift its image, there is no reason to fear that we will not be rewarded by our Creator. Thus, even if I feel that doctors are not being paid their dues in our country, I believe that as long as every physician dedicates himself to the healing art, he will have fulfilled the most important mission on earth that money cannot buy — the preservation of human life.
Hopefully, our educational system recognizes that more than empirical and factual knowledge, the most substantial outcome of teaching and learning may never be measured — but it can be felt. Pink’s book reveals a lot about the inner workings of the human brain and how we can maximize its potential for a better world, particularly in the field of health care. Maybe it would make us learn a thing or two from showbiz personalities, sports stars, and businessmen on how to make a living. I would highly recommend everyone to read its message and take the necessary steps suggested to develop the right side of our brains.
