Time Toxicity

 I was listening to a healthcare webinar a few days ago when the topic of "time toxicity" was introduced. For a long time the medical field focused exclusively on the physiological toxicity of treatments--mainly chemotherapy. The interest was on physical side effects, was the cure worse than the disease?  I remember when the concept of financial toxicity was introduced. A recognition by doctors that there were monetary costs associated with treatments, costs that were sometimes exorbitant. This type of toxicity came with its own set of risks and "side effects."  

Time toxicity is the recognition that medical care takes time; time to travel to offices, time to get tests done, time to meet with doctors. In the case of chronic illness, the amount of time spent managing the illness can be quite high.  Add in the time outside of direct medical care, but spent making decisions about care, researching options, and dealing with insurance and the time can increase dramatically. 

The webinar presenter encouraged medical professionals to think about time when meeting with patients. Can appointments be scheduled differently? Can care be better coordinated? 

I've been thinking about this idea. Outside of medical care, are there other areas where the concept of time toxicity could be applied? Is it really a problem that can be solved? I don't think it is unique to our US healthcare system. Is it an inherent aspect of human life--do some things just take up a lot of time?

I think I've spent more than enough time pondering these questions.

What to do?

 I am devastated each day as I read the news. I am at a loss to explain how national leaders are acting, or, often, not acting. I have personally and professionally directly benefited from many of the areas being slashed. But, more importantly, I grieve for those who don't have the resources to recover, resist, or wait. I feel helpless and hopeless.

In the past I've sometimes felt that my contributions to the world were too small. This was especially true when I saw colleagues and friends spearhead major public health initiatives, start NGOs, or hold government office. In those times, I reassured myself that we each have a role to play, a corner of the world were we do have impact. During these tumultuous times I've tried to remind myself of that thought. A few days ago I reached out to several younger scholars who work in areas particularly targeted. All of these friends are members of the LGBTQ community. Some are former students, some past or present colleagues. I wanted to let them know that I was thinking of them and working, in the small ways that I can, to protest. Each responded with gratitude, but also with fortitude. They are not giving up, they are not abandoning their work. Their  responses gave me a small glimmer of hope.

I've been talking about some of my concerns with my sons. One has recently started his own blog and sent me the link to his latest post. Maybe some of you would like to read his thoughts, too. 

https://larfenwrites.blogspot.com/