Many questions coming my way from docs about #advocacy: when to speak up? how to pick your hill to die on?

In Medicine the status quo is programmed into us from the beginning: abide by the hierarchy, keep your head down

That culture doesn’t lead to system transformation 1/

Fear is a great driver for physicians - fear of what others will think, fear of exposing our imperfections, fear of making ourselves a target, fear of losing prestige or privilege, fear of lost income

Listening to courage, not fear, is how we change the system in medicine. 2/

Tips for advocacy in Medicine:

Know your personal values & strengths

Fight for others more than you fight for your own interests

Recruit allies

Be consistent

Be the solo protester if u have to be

Be ready to face the haters

Continuously re-evaluate your motivations

Give people the benefit of the doubt until they give you a reason not to

Refine your writing skills

Courage is a muscle. Grow it with small steps

Take care of your patients well

Maintain your clinical competency

Do not mistake kindness for weakness. Grow in kindness as well