I return with this sketch to reflect on Dr Nigel Watson’s review of the GP Partnership model, Kindly commissioned by then Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt MP.
Dr Damocles searches for a new GP Partner… From a distance and to the untrained eye, his gilded position looks sound. He does great work for his his patients. He is valued by his community. He is respected. But, Dr A. Millennial is worried. Many swords hang by threads above head and there is a rising tide at their feet. And she has many other options…
Three students from Vision West Nottinghamshire College have made a short documentary about AI in medicine featuring an interview with yours truly.
They made contact through this blog having read some of my previous articles on AI in medicine and seeing that I was based near their college.
It was a pleasure to meet with Oliver, Lucy and Sam and be filmed at my surgery. They asked some great questions.
I was shocked in the film to see how much I say “erm”.
Must work on that…
We talked about how AI may soon be supporting, or even outperforming and replacing humans in certain tasks. Particularly those involving the understanding and weighing of complicated information, applying algorithmic rules to make predictions and draw conclusions, especially when consistency and low rates of error are important. This includes a large part of what doctors, health workers and many other professionals do on a day to day basis.
AI looks set to challenge humans in many of those professions which have traditionally been seen as a good bet by students for steady employability and decent pay.
I commented that in choosing to study, film, a field that draws on creativity and originality to entertain other humans, they might have made a smart choice in terms of their future job chances and pay.
Artistic and artisan pursuits require a human touch and a willingness to make mistakes. In order to truly have value for some people, others need to be challenged and to dislike.
Tuesday lunchtime saw a lively discussion in the staff room at Middle Street Surgery. Dr Puddle, iPhone in one hand and sandwich in the other, proclaimed that everyone’s job was safe!
Dr Puddle looked up and around at a room of knowing looks and unsurprised faces.
The staff room had a number of thoughts about why the trial may have failed…
1. Wrong solution for the wrong problem? Efforts to improve access when capacity is the problem will not help
There are a finite number of GPs, nurses and appointments and a seemingly unquenchable demand. Getting an appointment can often feel like a competition. When systems change, patients wise up quickly and soon learn how to maximise their chance of getting an appointment. Call earlier, ring at certain times of the day when slots are released, drop in as the surgery opens. A new equilibrium is quickly reached.
New ways of booking an appointment don’t change things for long if the problem is that there aren’t enough appointments in the first place.
Attempts to improve capacity by simply improving access can backfire and overwhelm already over stretched services.
Ask entrepreneurs and innovators who they most admire and one name invariably rises toward the top of the list.
Elon Reeve Musk
Elon Musk is a South African – Canadian – American billionaire technology entrepreneur. He is currently riding a wave of successes at his three main companies. If his form continues, he may well be remembered as one of the great figures of the 21st century.
At Tesla, Musk is disrupting the motor industry by making electric cars that are actually usable and desired by consumers. He has traditional automakers playing catch up.
SolarCity is making solar roof tiles and home battery storage solutions with the aim of eliminating our dependence on fossil fuels.
At SpaceX, Musk has dramatically cut the cost of sending satellites, and soon humans, to space by making reusable rockets a reality. He ultimately aims to make mankind an interplanetary species and establish a colony on Mars.
Not content to simultaneously revolutionise 3 industries, he has also found time to form companies to promote various other ideas, causes and concepts.
Supersonic intercity travel in vacuum tubes (HyperLoop)
Saving the world from rogue Artificial Intelligences (OpenAI)
Building a network of tunnels under Los Angeles to alleviate traffic congestion (TheBoringCompany)
Melding the capabilities of man and computer with brain-machine interfaces (Neuralink)
And he still has had time to father 6 children and inspire Robert Downey Junior’s portrayal of Tony Stark in the recent Marvel Iron Man and Avenger films…
Elon Musk makes a cameo in Iron Man 2
In fact it is difficult to write about Musk without feeling like a large man crush is being revealed to the world.
Musk also his his critics. He has been called a hyperactive, attention seeking, exaggerater. Former employees and colleagues will often describe a demanding and sometimes bullying darker side.
I have tried to digest the information and distill some lessons relevant to my life/role as a GP interested in organisational development and technology… They may be of interest to you too…
On 22 of June Helen Stokes came to visit Nottingham and spoke to local GPs at an RCGP Vale of Trent Faculty evening event. She spoke about “The Future of GP” and was quizzed by questions from members.
Dr Stokes-Lampard discussed:
The role of the RCGP
Progress with GPFV
Handling the snap election and the unexpected result
That handshake with Jeremy Hunt (he has two GP sister-in-laws apparently)
Glass ceilings in medicine
Working at scale
In an RCGP first, the event was streamed live on the faculties facebook page. It was great fun for our team to experiment with new technology and innovate.
When picturing an entrepreneurial pitch, most people’s minds will turn to the popular BBC TV show Dragon’s Den. Business owners braving the scrutiny of the rich, experienced and powerful dragons in a make or break attempt to win funding over 10, or so, awkward minutes.
However, pitching a company or idea can take many different forms. The audience isn’t always an investor. Other people also need convincing that your business will work. Key employees, customers, partner’s, family and friends will all need persuading at times. And, often this persuading is accomplished over many conversations, rather than a single event.
Some consider the reality of successful pitching more like dating. You need to show up, make a good impression, put in some effort and show passion. But, at least initially, leave them wanting more and give them a reason to look forward to that next date.
In this post, we will explore general tips for delivering a good pitch and consider some of the building blocks for constructing a versatile “pitch deck”. A useful resource to support pitching to a variety of audiences.
