Best substack yet. We need to figure some new slogans that "call people in" instead of calling them out. How about "I believe in children. Science just helps me keep them healthy."
Thanks for reiterating the relational and longitudinal nature of trust. Medicine has become transactional due to big changes in employment, payment models, volume, and documentation requirements. If we want to re-inspire families to vaccinate, we need to sit with them, look them in the eyes, and allow them to share their fears, values, and dreams with us.
While I completely agree with what you’re saying, I fear that society in general has become self-centered and selfish, and propped up by political leaders that just blatantly lie with no shame, repudiation, or consequence, that we are in a time when “truth” and “facts” simply don’t matter to a significant portion of the population, no matter how we communicate that information. I find that to be the most frustrating aspect of all of this, and where I really struggle to see a path forward.
I feel that too. Some days it feels like no matter how honest or thoughtful we are, it barely makes a dent. The noise and seeming indifference to truth can be exhausting. But what keeps me going is knowing that not everyone has tuned out. There are still people who are trying to make sense of things, but don’t know who to trust. They often watch and listen but don’t post or engage. I speak with them in my clinic and when I go out into the community for my work. That is who I try to show up for, even when it feels like speaking into the void.
I’m totally with you. It’s definitely a VERY loud minority that seems to be making it worse, and I think the number of split ticket voters in the last election just goes to show not everyone is indoctrinated. It’s just sad and demoralizing to feel like we took 10 steps back and will likely take the rest of most of our lifetimes to build back to where we were. But who knows, maybe we evolve into something new and even more effective at promoting health outcomes in our communities.
Best substack yet. We need to figure some new slogans that "call people in" instead of calling them out. How about "I believe in children. Science just helps me keep them healthy."
Thanks for reiterating the relational and longitudinal nature of trust. Medicine has become transactional due to big changes in employment, payment models, volume, and documentation requirements. If we want to re-inspire families to vaccinate, we need to sit with them, look them in the eyes, and allow them to share their fears, values, and dreams with us.
While I completely agree with what you’re saying, I fear that society in general has become self-centered and selfish, and propped up by political leaders that just blatantly lie with no shame, repudiation, or consequence, that we are in a time when “truth” and “facts” simply don’t matter to a significant portion of the population, no matter how we communicate that information. I find that to be the most frustrating aspect of all of this, and where I really struggle to see a path forward.
I feel that too. Some days it feels like no matter how honest or thoughtful we are, it barely makes a dent. The noise and seeming indifference to truth can be exhausting. But what keeps me going is knowing that not everyone has tuned out. There are still people who are trying to make sense of things, but don’t know who to trust. They often watch and listen but don’t post or engage. I speak with them in my clinic and when I go out into the community for my work. That is who I try to show up for, even when it feels like speaking into the void.
I’m totally with you. It’s definitely a VERY loud minority that seems to be making it worse, and I think the number of split ticket voters in the last election just goes to show not everyone is indoctrinated. It’s just sad and demoralizing to feel like we took 10 steps back and will likely take the rest of most of our lifetimes to build back to where we were. But who knows, maybe we evolve into something new and even more effective at promoting health outcomes in our communities.