In 1937, Sylvan Goldman, the owner of the Humpty-Dumpty grocery store chain, invented the shopping cart. Determined to reduce the cost of having to staff his stores with enough clerks to personally help each customer with over-the-counter purchases, he changed the paradigm. He created displays and shelves where people could help themselves, and, to prevent any inconvenience, he invented the shopping cart so they didn’t have to struggle with armfuls of goods. For all
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Why The Patient Story Should Always Take Center Stage
Stories are the backbone of who we are. They provide context, insight, subtle and not-so-subtle hints about ourselves and those around us. They teach us lessons and help us determine similarities and differences so that we can avoid mistakes and replicate success.
I recently listened to the popular Serial podcast. For those who are unfamiliar with the show, it is dedicated to deeply exploring different narratives, stories, and evidence, in order to find insight into a mystery. I
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We Must All be Engaged in the Design, Delivery, and Re-imagination of Healthcare
On a recent flight, I had my headphones on and the Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction” began to play. It’s a song I have heard hundreds of times over the years, but I was struck by the difference listening to it with headphones made. With no distractions, I noticed the bass line, in time with the percussion, provides the perfect offset to Mick Jagger’s distinctively strained voice. It was a completely different experience than hearing the track play in the background of a movie or while at a
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Are Physicians the Cure to Healthcare’s Bugs?
During a recent and troubling discussion with a physician friend, he described to me a new ailment he’s been experiencing: waking up in the morning, and not looking forward to going to work.
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