I’m a huge fan of TED talks. I’ve posted some here in the past, notably the one about the JQ1 molecule, and I make sure to watch a few talks every month, if I have time…even on topics that are, or seem to be, completely unrelated to anything that is of interest to me. I remember watching a talk on bugs, e.g….and being compleeeeetely fascinated… 🙂

Today, though, I watched a talk that really resonated with me. Wait until you hear the final part…My reaction was to say “WOW!” out loud. And I think you will, too. This paragraph introduces Dr. Gawande’s talk: 

Our medical systems are broken. Doctors are capable of extraordinary (and expensive) treatments, but they are losing their core focus: actually treating people. Doctor and writer Atul Gawande suggests we take a step back and look at new ways to do medicine — with fewer cowboys and more pit crews. Surgeon by day and public health journalist by night, Atul Gawande explores how doctors can dramatically improve their practice using something as simple as a checklist.

Here is the link: http://goo.gl/CcW6G 

Hmmm. I have a final question: does oncology have checklists? 

“Better is possible. It does not take genius. It takes diligence. It takes moral clarity. It takes ingenuity. And above all, it takes a willingness to try.” Atul Gawande