On the heels of a post on gurus, I found myself pondering the question of complexity – a hallmark of gurus.

Many clinicians in health care wittingly (and unwittingly) make clinical scenarios more complex. They add layers of unnecessary complexity for the patient (and for other clinicians). It starts the moment they talk to patients in medical-speak. This is not done because it fosters a better learning experience for the patient. Hey, the more syllables you use, the smarter you sound, right? And if the solution is more complex, it just has to be better, no?

With that said, I ask you – when has added complexity ever made a situation (or solution) any better? We can turn to Albert Einstein – the father of modern physics – to shed some light on the problems of complexity in health care.

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As my birthday came barreling towards me this year, I found myself pondering the concept of time. Oh, how it flies by. I can always remember being told how time would pass slowly in my younger years, and pick up speed each and every year as I got older. Truer words were never spoken.

It seems like every year that passes reminds me to focus on the value of time itself. I guess it becomes more readily apparent when you realize that you are starting to get closer to the end of the adventure than the beginning. That’s not meant to sound morbid, but just a conscious acceptance of mortality as I know it.

I can look in the rear view mirror and be bewildered by the range and breadth of experiences I see there. Wow. Is all of that a part of me now? You never really know where you are going until you stop and take a look around you.

Oh if we could just cause time to stand still. Just for a moment.

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Health and health care are chock full of systems and approaches that have both empirical and arbitrary foundations. They are typically based on the beliefs and anecdotes of a “guru”. With any guru comes a flock of disciples that espouse the earth-shattering wisdom of their guru.

Something oftentimes gets a little confused in the process: the guru and their methods become more important than the patients themselves.

Well, I would suggest one important reminder today: It’s not about you, oh mighty guru.

Health and health care are all about the patient. With that said, these domains don’t need any more gurus. There are more than enough snake oil salesman to go around. What we need are true science-based medicine and patient-focused approaches that implement competent self care strategies, and not just more lip service.

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The Central Canada Exhibition (CCE), or Ottawa Ex, or SuperEx as it would eventually come to be known, was the Ontario equivalent to the State Fair of Texas. It would take place each August at Lansdowne Park in Ottawa – the home of the Ottawa Rough Riders football team. Yes, that would be Canadian football, that world of 3 downs for 10 yards, wide field, and huge end zones (how does 25 yards sound to you, Mr, Defensive Back?).

The CCE had your standard carnival rides and games, livestock shows, and lots of cotton candy and funnel cakes (or the Canadian equivalent). But they also had nightly music shows at the football stadium at Lansdowne Park.

My exposure to live music started at the CCE as a birthday present. During my teen years, it became a consistent birthday event. The only thing that changed was the music – and my age.

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