Care at Crossroad
Part 1 Introduction
Objective
The objective of this MasterParkinson Memo A2.1 is to highlight factors, which historically have had a significant influence on “Care”, the Health Care Sector in our society. All this in order to build up knowledge among the members in the MP network. The MP Network that has the credo:
“Together we can master Parkinson’s!”
This memo is a first step towards the vision in the credo. And of course we need your help to make it possible.
Multicultural
My knowledge as well as most of the cases we will refer to from Sweden. We want all to be aware of this, but let’s say at once: “don’t worry”.
First, we think there are more things that are alike than what differs between the target countries (English speaking countries in Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand). Second we want nothing else then a big number of friends to participate in the dialogue.
The more people we are, the more even spread they will probably be overthe actual countries. Of that reason we look at the Swedish dominance in the start up phase as a temporary situation and that there are no measures necessary at the moment.
Attitude
If we want to live up to what we say, write etc. we have to have a very positive attitude. I use to remember myself about being neutral and not judging anyone when meeting other people.
But there are situations when one has to raise once voice. It is because there is a need for it. One example on this is the result of the first part of the EPDA Campaign “Move for Change”.
After one year there was no significant change in the attitude of the MD Group. Read more in the Magazine EPDA PLUS, Spring, 2011, Issue #15.
By publishing Memo in the MasterParkinson web site, I hope to inspire a lot of other people to join us at MP MeetingPoint .
We want you
MasterParkinson wants to have you as an active partner. We think you in most cases will. You are the kind of person who sees the possibilities and then have an easy start.
But there will be a couple of you who don’t want to do nothing before you are rewarded. As if we compare with an athlete who is about to compete on 5 000 m. But he refuses to start before he got a medal. But, I am sorry there are no shortcuts. It all depends on you. I am also convinced that if you start to give you will be awesome rewarded.
Let’s work together and reach the dream in our credo:
“Together we can master Parkinson’s!”
It’s our hope that the Memo and examples you find in this web site will touch you in a way that you mobilize your hidden energy resources … ... … …
Okay I will stop! I guess you realize what we want of you now!
Part 2 History
Most dominant factor
The most dominant factor of today is the extreme speed of change. We (MasterParkinson) believe it is the most dominant factor of all. Of that reason we have written a separate memo about it. We simply gave it the title “Change”!
See Memo C1.1 Change.
Historical perspective
I (Leif Ögård) have no ambition to write this MP Memo to cover more than the perspective I learnt during my forty-five year’s service in the international industrial sector.
In a historic perspective we have a pretty well defined list of dominating factors that have transformed our society into what it is today. In this context I think it’s enough to look at the first and the last one.
First step was mass production, based on vast labor resources. The urbanization from the agricultural dominance supplied the factories with needed “muscle power”. There were no needs of “brain power”. Rather the opposite. Man should not use the brain. The employee should instead obey the elite, who should think and decide for them.
(Do you want to read more, do search on Internet. Key words: “Scientific management/Frederick Taylor” and “Bureaucracy/Max Weber”)
Today’s society
With all our knowledge gathered, we are back on the point where we started.
Point Zero! The point where a person was asked for. But at the same time, it’s the opposite. similarities we see this time at is that man, once again is asked for as the primary lacking resource. But this time not for being THE factor having muscles.
Now man is wanted because of his/her brain!
We have entered the “Knowledge age” and we live in the “Knowledge Society”! This development of course differs in speed and depth for different sectors of a society. There are also big differences between countries. I believe the Health care sector lag behind compared with the society in all. If my beliefs should be right, the need of rethinking would be even more important!
Part 3 Knowledge society
New roles give freedom and power
Today man demands to be looked upon as a equal member, demands his/her voice to be respected and listened to. Add to this the enormous change in wealth, flexibility, housing, travel, global trade and exchange. All this have given man of today an immense freedom during one to two generations.
Freedom means power! Freedom means possibility to deicide yourself, to be able chose between different alternatives etc. You don’t have to bend your back anymore. Not for anyone. Knowledge adds the needed ingredient going from a theoretical to real freedom and power.
Knowledge Society
The gradual shift over to the Knowledge Society has already changed quite a lot. In most cases the earlier hierarchies and their structures are gone. Exceptions are often the huge multi international enterprises, the political systems and the health care.
Responsibility is delegated to lowest possible level. Decisions are taken by the person doing the job. Reward systems are tied to the operational results and not as earlier the degree of fulfilled activities.
Visible trends are Empowerment of Co-workers, Goal Orientation, Team Work, Flexible Project Structures and Life Long Learning.
New Leadership on its way
The reason why I presented all this above is that my thesis of a coming boom for Self Care builds on the new “Knowledge Society Person” that is fostered by the ever changing environment that he/she just now is learning how to master. And they will succeed!
They are not easy to see, but you know it when you meet them. They are aware of their environment, of themselves, as well as of the people around. They have trust in the future, a positive attitude, are solution oriented (not problem oriented). They are dedicated to help other to be winners.
They are neutral and are non judgmental towards all people they meet.
They take full responsibility for their beliefs, their thoughts, the words they use and of all what they are doing!
Health care - new trend
One of the most obvious trends in today’s society is the increased interest in health and healthcare. This trend has been reinforced by results from the scientist’s work which has revolutionized our view on our bodies and their ability to restore and be restored.
This will result in significant changes in demography. An example of that is that 50 % of all the kids, born in Sweden today will be able to celebrate their own 100 year birthday!
Let’s look at what happened with our knowledge about the brain during the last two decades. I think most of you should agree that there is an amazing difference. Isn’t it?
Two of the really heavy doctrines in Neurology were first the non-restorable brain and second that the brain was degenerative and that all brains had a constant loss of its cells from the age of eighteen.
Biggest step forward
Both doctrines are filed in the historic library’s learning centre. And so shall they be, remaining us about the fact that:
“The truth of today is the history of tomorrow!”
The most important of all the barrier braking findings is, according to my opinion, the plasticity of the brain. That means the capability of the brain to restore itself and that the brain produces new cells during its entire life!
Think about what this means to us. What I wrote was a couple of words on a piece of paper. Of no value in normal life. But the impact on your and my life? Maybe the biggest step ever for us and our quality of life.
Part 4 Tomorrow
I am convinced we will take giant steps of change and that in an increasing tempo. I do believe we will see sudden, unforeseen and turbulent situations that will change today’s hierarchies, roles and responsibility.
What is your view on the above? How do you look on the future?
Join the MasterParkinson network and be a part of the solution and the future instead of being a part of the past as well as the problem!
Leif Ögård
Your view please
