Questioning

I had the privilege of speaking recently with a person with extensive experience in academic research in the health care industry. The researcher was explaining to me that the health care industry was delivering better care than ever for just about everybody in America based on research data on outcomes, largely driven by the private health insurance industry. I was skeptical, based on my history as a professional provider (R.N.) and all-too-frequent consumer of health care services over the past sixteen years.

My perception of the arguments posed by the researcher in defense of corporate health care as we know it was that the researcher felt somehow attacked by my criticism in a similar way that a religious person personalizes criticism of his religion's dogma. I was reminded of the danger of allowing self-identity to merge with role in an occupation which sustains livelihood. My intention in the discussion had nothing to do with this researcher's specific work or personhood, yet the researcher felt compelled to defend in broad terms the whole establishment of modern health care provision with intensity.

I believe that relentlessly questioning my own work is the foundation of doing good work. Questioning the authorities in my field is the basis of maintaining ethical and functional quality of my field of work or inquiry. Questioning does not necessarily entail personal insecurity or abrasive challenges. Since I work hard at establishing a center of self, a core barometer of personal values, through sincere and regular practice of my values, healthy skepticism and its beneficial application has become a part of my daily life.