AHRA 2013: Creativity and Overcoming Fear in Medical Imaging—Is It Possible?

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Rich Pulvino, Digital Media Specialist, Carestream

“Follow the breadcrumbs from any unmet goal and it usually leads fear.” – Erik Wahl, graffiti artist and business strategist

This was one of the lines that stuck out the most from the keynote session of day one at AHRA 2013 in Minneapolis. FEAR, as Wahl noted, can stand for False Evidence Appearing Real, and it is the main roadblock that holds many back from innovation and new ideas. His message yesterday is one that is valuable to a variety of industries, but tailoring it specifically for medical imaging shined a spotlight on just how difficult it can be getting over fear, and the advantages that come once that is achieved.

Erik Wahl, Keynote Speaker, AHRA 2013

To demonstrate how meaningful it can be to take a risk, he encouraged an audience member to participate in a “Fear Factor” task. The participant, nervous to perform such a task in front of a room full of people, was allowed to delegate the task to any audience member of his choosing. Once he chose someone, the woman who was now assigned the task was ushered up to the main stage where she would perform the “Fear Factor” task in front of everyone. However, when she opened the envelope to reveal her task, it simply stated that she could keep the Abraham Lincoln painting Wahl drew during the introduction of his speech. The lesson: taking a risk can lead to big rewards.

Throughout his keynote, Wahl asked the audience many rhetorical, thought-provoking questions. How do we look for ways to transcend the commoditization and consumerization of healthcare? What will reform look like, internally and externally? How can medical imaging specialists plus into a world of new ideas and creativity? What is an idea worth in healthcare? All meaningful questions that all contain long, difficult answers.

Wahl routinely went back to the point that human beings are naturally resistant to traveling in uncharted waters. He said that it takes three tasks to successfully navigate these waters. One must focus on the mission, commit to it, and ultimately, adapt to any changes. The last responsibility was the one he accented. One cannot evolve if one cannot successfully adapt. The changes we face in healthcare, be it through technology or political reform, are intense challenges, and it will involve getting over fears and adapting appropriately if organizations are to achieve success.

When it comes to relying on creativity to overcome challenges, Wahl led the crowd in an interesting task. He asked everyone who thinks that they can draw/paint to raise their hand. No one did and a laugh was shared throughout the hall. He said he wasn’t surprised but made a couple of key points. When he asks this question to high school students, he said that about 10-20% of students raise their hands. Then he asked us, “If I were to ask this to pre-school students, how many would raise their hands?” At that moment, a light bulb went on over the audience’s collective head.

Everyone is a drawer when younger, and everyone is enthusiastic about it. The key to overcoming fear, embracing creativity, and adapting to change is to sustain that childlike enthusiasm. It can be difficult, and quite scary, but as Wahl stated numerous times throughout his keynote, it is necessary. And those that don’t adapt can be left behind.