Why substack? Why now?
Not just because Twitter is unstable. Ok that's a big part of it.
The content must live on
Welcome!
Ok, so Twitter is going through a thing right now. Do I really think Twitter is going away? No, I don’t. As I tweeted earlier, it’s reminiscent of Y2K. Much ado about nothing.
Not relying on a sinking ship to keep spreading productivity tips/hacks, however, would be a good thing.
1. Why this, why now?
On September 6, 2022, I had 30 minutes between surgical cases. Every time I have a med student or resident in my clinic, I teach them about the EIC Pasteboard.
So on a whim, I decided to do a tweetorial describing the EPIC Pasteboard.
What happened next blew my mind.
This really struck a nerve. Since then, #EpicShortCuts has taken off, with similarly strong engagement with every thread. I’ve been invited to give virtual grand rounds on workplace efficiency, and many of the shortcut tweetorials have gone semi-viral.
Why? We’re all running on the same treadmill. Doctors have a keen radar for bull$h!t. Tell them you’ve got something that will help them, and they have no problem being the judge.
This pasteboard is a small tip, not earth-shattering by any stretch. But it helps people get through their day. That’s the kind of help we need. Tangible. Practical.
I’m concerned that if Twitter implodes, these efficiency hacks will not find a suitable home.
And even if twitter lives on (which is far more likely), substack will ensure that nobody misses any tips, and we can start branching out with more content under the umbrella of workplace efficiency.
2. What’s in a name?
For now, I’m calling this newsletter ‘Till the Cavalry Arrives.’ Every profession has its struggles. Inertia is the default state. I know, because this was my default state.
Let’s just wait, and hopefully, a fix will arrive. Right? Wrong.
For a long time, I was sitting around thinking that surely great minds must be working on fixes to our workflows. Obviously, teams must be out there, working on solving our most pressing workflow problems.
Or, more likely, there’s no cavalry coming. 🐎
So until the cavalry arrives, we need to help ourselves. Doctors are in the best position to solve our own problems.
My hope is that this newsletter, and hopefully the community that rallies behind it, can serve as a hub for our best ideas and solutions. Burnout is real. It’s a massive problem.
We don’t need consultants, ice cream socials, or doctor appreciation days. We need brainstorming, practical solutions, and the platform upon which we can share it all.
3. Will this just be a series of EPIC tips?
No. It’s a starting point though. EPIC has the biggest market share, and my own training was sorely lacking.
And judging from all the Twitter DMs you sent me, you do want more of this, and there will be more #EpicShortCuts.
But I have grander visions. Till the Cavalry Arrives will be a launching point for discourse related to all of the domains that improve workflow and efficiency. I don’t have all the answers, but I know where to look.
4. This is about you. About us.
What content would you like to see? Let me know. The poll only allows 6 options. If you feel strongly about other topics, leave a comment below!
5. The more the merrier.
I firmly believe that the solutions to our most pressing workflow problems lie within our community, not outside.
Help spread the word.