Blue medicine v Red Medicine
Arlen Meyers, MD, MBA
President and CEO, Society of Physician Entrepreneurs, another lousy golfer, terrible cook
As if doctors don't have enough to deal with, now they must adjust to a new political reality and its impact-the "diploma divide".
As recently observed, educational attainment has not replaced race in that respect, but it is increasingly the best predictor of how Americans will vote, and for whom. It has shaped the political landscape and where the 2024 presidential election almost certainly will be decided. To understand American politics, candidates and voters alike will need to understand this new fundamental.
Americans have always viewed education as a key to opportunity, but few predicted the critical role it has come to play in our politics. What makes the “diploma divide,” as it is often called, so fundamental to our politics is how it has been sorting Americans into the Democratic and Republican Parties by educational attainment. College-educated voters are now more likely to identify as Democrats, while those without college degrees — especially white Americans, but increasingly others as well — are now more likely to support Republicans.
The impact of red v blue medicine includes:
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The number of college graduates is dropping. Fewer high school students are going to college, including community colleges. Meanwhile, medical school graduates are increasing but many qualified applicants are rejected and several don't match for a residency after graduation.
Perhaps the presentation of a patient at morning report will include the patient's political affiliation to understand the political determinants of their health outcomes.
Arlen Meyers, MD, MBA is the President and CEO of the Society of Physician Entrepreneurs
Echo & Vascular Ultrasound Pediatric Echo | RCS, RVS
1yMy approach to science as a medical professional must be unbiased by identity politics. As a healthcare provider, politics HAS NO PLACE WHATSOEVER. My political stance would never alter the commitment I make to myself about how I approach each opportunity I'm given to serve patients. Early on the decision I made was to do my very best each day to serve every patient as I would my closest family members. My understanding is that PolySci is not a science. Science has absolute processes where "The Art of The Possible" does not. Even the most commonly used definition of politics, describes it as an art of happenstance.
Physician•Consultant• Innovator
1yIt is critical that Physicans and Scientists refrain from; flee from the entanglements, of ideologies and disparities. I believe it is possible for a profession to professionally completely step away from politics and ideologies, to deliver the same care to EVERY breathing human, regardless of x, y or z. BUT I believe it will take work, a revision of our oath. I also believe it may result in a divide, but a NEW form of believers separating themselves from the controversies and remaining very narrowly, and some would argue naively, obsessively focussed on just the disease processes is possible.
Strategic planning advisor to empower healthcare leaders and aspiring leaders as they pursue breakthroughs in performance.
1yYikes! PDoH too?