what does a 3 year old have in common with simon sinek, john g. miller and rural DO’s? Provided by Vicki Pace, Director of Rural Medical Education
Asking “why” as simple as it sounds, is a great tool and we learn to use it at the early age of three. As any parent will tell you, it also makes the parent think. Maybe you can think of no reason other than “because I told you to” but as a parent if you continue to ask yourself “why,” it may be because you are trying to “teach” (cleanliness, responsibility, etc.) As we get older, do we lose that curiosity, forget how powerful the word “why” is, get trained not to ask to avoid upsetting others or learn to answer our own “whys”? Simon Sinek in his book, Start with Why, brings back how important it is for businesses, organizations or leaders to know why they do what they do. Knowing why the business, organization or leader does what they do, can make a big difference in the image your company or organization portrays. Examples he used in his book were Apple, Southwest Airlines, Sam Walton, and Martin Luther King, Jr., a few well know companies and leaders that clearly knew why they were doing what they were doing.
CENTER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES
role in medical education, today. When the “why” is for the wrong reason that unprofessional behavior comes into play. We can usually answer the “what or how” of what we are doing, but inspiring others into action requires knowing “why” we are doing what we do and everything we do relates back to our “why.” Andrew Taylor Still, DO, certainly knew “why.” His lifelong driving force to make medicine more effective and humane led to the founding of osteopathic medicine and contributed to people living happier and more productive lives. In a recent online conversation about professionalism in the medical field, those in medical education felt like medicine should always start with the patient. Is the “why” in osteopathic medical education and the osteopathic medical profession all about the patient? According to the students at rural rotation sites, the answer is yes!
In John Miller’s book, QBQ or Question behind the Question, he discussed asking “why” to get at the real reason a person does what they do. No matter how many times you have to ask “why”, each time you’ll get a little closer to the real reason. He related it back to people being held accountable for their actions.
William J. Pettit, DO, Interim Senior Associate Dean and Associate Dean for Rural Health with OSU-CHS, inspires others because his “why” is very clear. Students that completed the Rural Health Option, took the Perspectives in Rural Health Elective, or are part of the Rural Medical Track demonstrate the power of “why” in their commitment to make a difference in rural Oklahoma.
Accountability has always been a big part of the medical profession. The medical profession self-regulates professionals holding them accountable for unprofessional behavior. It is so important to the profession that it plays a big
Regardless of what your position in medical education or the medical profession is, ask yourself “why” you are investing your time, education, energy, leadership, or heart in what you do each and every day. Ask enough times and you may be surprised by your answer.
Legend has it that Earnest Hemmingway was challenged to tell a story using only 6 words. He won the bet with “For Sale: Baby shoes, never worn.” Whether the story is true or not, it has gained a lot of attention in the Twitter world. Take the challenge and discover your “why” using only six words. We asked medical students and others at the school to try this six-word method to tell their story and answer the questions “Why D.O.?” and “Why Rural?” Six well-chosen words tell a story! Why DO? Focus on entire patient. Why rural? Lifelong commitment and impact. -Dustin Little, OMSIII, Rural Medical Track Student Why DO? Complete, compassionate patient care. Why rural? Defining rural, defines me. -J.T. Ball, OMSII, Rural Medical Track Student
Data analysis and interpretation provides insight. -Denna Wheeler, Ph.D., Director of Research OSU-CHS Center for Rural Health I am needed. I can help. -Alisha Murrow, OMSI
Rural, underserved need healthcare. Answer? D.O.! Improving rural healthcare, making a difference! -Vicky Pace, Director of Rural Medical Education, OSU-CHS Center for Rural Health Caring D.O! Patient-centered: Mind, Body, Spirit Oklahoma D.O. | May / June 2013
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Right things. Right time. Right results. -Dave Peyok, OMSI
Oklahoma D.O.
Steady job, good pay, help people. Familiarity, small town leader. Country living. -Josh Priddle, OMSIII, Rural Medical Track Student