Prescribe Hope: America's Medical Burnout Crisis
(a.k.a Patch The Holes In The Dam That You Can)
PROLOGUE
Many of you may know of The Cancer Mavericks, my award-winning 8-part narrative history podcast series that shares how 50 years of social justice movements have shaped today's conversations about healthcare, income inequality, and race relations.
Well, prepare yourself for the epic follow-up to that series, which, to date, has been listened to more than 400,000 times around the world. Only this time, the volume knob is going to to 11.
THE ISSUE
Here at this end of the swimming pool, I've quickly discovered the inane catch-22 whereby at-risk medical professionals who engage with mental health services face stigma, judgment, and scrutiny with state medical licensing boards, putting their renewals in jeopardy. Many of you may already know this, but it's new to me. It is infuriating, but I am somehow not surprised because #America.
DROP THE HAMMER
As my first act as National Patient Advocate for Medicine Forward, alongside my colleagues Eric Topol, Gabe Charbonneau, Todd Otten, and Lisa Scardina, we are embarking on a first-of-its-kind advocacy, public health, and legislative policy initiative entitled "Prescribe Hope: America's Medical Burnout Crisis."
The centerpiece of Prescibe Hope is a deep-dive documentary podcast series shedding light on the ever-restricting nature of providing care against the backdrop of burnout, moral injury, mental health decay, and suicide amongst medical professionals. Episodes will follow the stories of unsung invisible heroes working behind the scenes, demanding something different, something better.
Our legislative partner is the Medical Society of Virginia (Shoutout to Melina Davis and Leslie Strickler,) the heroic rebel protagonists legislative organization behind Safe Haven, a confidential well-bring program for physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and medical, nursing, PA, and pharmacy students.
With your help, we, the American voters, will FORCE these protections into law and get Save Haven introduced and enacted in all 50 states.
Only then can we measurably patch one of many holes in the dam and guarantee that all medical professionals are guaranteed the inalienable right to anonymous mental health programs, tools, and services WITHOUT FEAR of jeopardizing their careers and the wellness of their patients.
THE BIGGER IDEA
Prescribe Hope is a movement, the largest mass organization of medical professionals in decades.
And you're invited.
So, drop your wall plaques, degrees, specialties, and credentials at the door. As with patient advocacy, this side of the pool must all face the same direction, united with a solitary purpose to force these policy changes.
ASK YOURSELF
If we don't do it, who will?
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
What do you think of this bold initiative?
Comment below and tag people you think should know what we're up to and may want to join our growing sphere of motivated philanthropists and engaged corporate roundtable members.
DONATE NOW!
Be a part of the solution. Be the change. This bad boy is scheduled to be released this fall at the 2024 Medical Burnout Symposium in NYC.
Medicine Forward is raising $250,000 to start the flywheel, and we need your help to take this movement from vision to policy.
Donate today at http://prescribehope.org
Thank you.