Coleman Recommended Resources
Coleman Associates loves seeking out resources, stumbling upon thought-provoking videos and learning from others both inside and outside the healthcare industry. We’d love to share our favorites with you.
Why Trying New Things is So Hard to Do
Why Trying New Things is So Hard to Do. In this NY Times article Sendhill Mullainathan explores how his and others habits around what soda we buy, our daily commuting routine, etc., are shaped by our habits rather than by data or our best judgment about how we ought to do what we do.
Estonia: The Digital Republic by Nathan Heller
Estonia: The Digital Republic by Nathan Heller. This article has nothing at all to do with healthcare… Which is why you might need to read it. This article is a chance to leave the barriers of your health center and think about how our lives could be different and better if we could abandon the pre-described norms and just embrace, really embrace technology.
The Creation Myth by Malcolm Gladwell
The Creation Myth by Malcolm Gladwell. This inspiring article tells two stories of innovations and how great ideas come together by debunking some misconceptions about how great ideas are built and features a great story about Steve Jobs in his earlier days. This article should leave you inspired to challenge yourself around what you do with the ideas you catch, rather than fretting over what ideas come to you in the first place.
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman
The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman. This is a must-read for anyone entering public health and desiring a full exposure to the challenges of health care when cultures (and languages) do not easily align. The story of a Hmong patient and her American doctors tells a story to help bridge the culture gaps.
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. It’s easy to see why this story that has nothing and everything to do with medicine has won its way into the hearts of so many readers. It’s a beautiful story that connects you on a new level to the practice of medicine.
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder. In this biography, Kidder tells the story of infectious disease specialist Paul Farmer, MD who takes his strong mind and his passionate determination to dramatically improve public health to Haiti. His inspiring ability to think in unconventional ways to reach patients is a fantastic story to re-ignite your passion to care for all patients.
Redefining Health Care by Michael E Porter and Elizabeth Olmstead Teisberg
Redefining Health Care by Michael E Porter and Elizabeth Olmstead Teisberg. In this textbook-style approach to health care problems and proposed solutions the authors take a data-based, deep look into problems that plague healthcare including measurement, competition, quality, reimbursement, insurance, etc., It’s a very in-depth, academic book rich with citings and background to get you up to speed on the challenges facing the industry.
Fish! Lundin, Paul and Christensen
Fish! Lundin, Paul, and Christensen. Want to have fun at work and boost staff morale? This parable applies simple lessons learned at Seattle’s famous Pike Place Fish Market to any work environment. No, you won’t learn how to throw a 30-pound mackerel around, but you WILL discover how to promote a culture of appreciation, fun and great customer service! Trialed and tested at health care organizations, this methodology dramatically changed the lives of health care professionals who were facing burnout and the effects of dealing with a sick patient population day in and day out. Pick it up and then consider purchasing the companion DVD, FiSH! Tales to watch at your next staff meeting!
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Good to Great by Jim Collins. Written by fellow Boulder-ite Jim Collins, this book gives examples of businesses that have either stayed mediocre or found a way to excel. While Good is the enemy of Great this book doesn’t tear down the “good” but rather gives strategies for finding your way to be “great.” It’s an inspiring book about hard work, diligence, management, and tough decisions.
Factfulness by Hans Rosling
Factfulness by Hans Rosling A review by Bill Gates on why this book is one of the most important reads for our time.