The placement of these street signs today appealed to my black sense of humour: “Circus in Town” … followed by endless row of election sign after election sign that appeared overnight.
I always note that there are 101 reasons to go for a walk. Appreciating the humour in your local election signs is now number 102.
I recently saw an article arguing that doctors should stay out of politics.
Using a “stay in your lane argument”, one could also argue that politicians have no place in a hospital – but that isn’t quite true. That legislation on everything from healthcare funding to patient privacy is important to the patient care I do.
And because of that: it is critical doctors advocate for their patients outside the clinical space.
Healthcare is political:
The right of access to healthcare
What healthcare is legally accessible
Who can access the healthcare
How that healthcare is paid for
What health insurance companies can and can’t do
Patient privacy
How much funding that healthcare gets
Advocating that politicians get correct scientific information to make decisions and inform legislation – not misinformation from lobbies or special interests
Public health advocacy: from cleaner air to vaccinations to sewage to drinking water
Health literacy and health education for the next generation in an age of misinformation
Patient protection legislation: what qualifications should patients except their healthcare professional to have and who is enforcing it?
Regulation of cosmetic procedures and safeguards on sales of drugs
Food safety and quality
Because just funding more hospital beds doesn’t make us a healthier society.
So, register to vote. Use your vote.
And critically think — make decisions based on REAL facts that you check with independent, trusted sources. Think and double check before you click, share, or believe the latest meme or click-bait headline.
It’s literally good for your health.
Because when the election circus has left town, there will be serious business to get done.
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