Michael Zinner, MD, CEO and executive medical director of Miami Cancer Institute and Baptist Health Cancer Care in Miami, spoke with Becker's about managing burnout, things he wishes he learned sooner and the outlook for cancer care.
Editor's note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What's next in cancer care?
Dr. Michael Zinner: Within cancer care, we have come so far. We are on the threshold of a number of new discoveries that will change the world of cancer from what it was when I was growing up to what it is today.
When I was young, cancer was a death sentence. Today, we are making cancer a chronic disease, much like diabetes. If you have diabetes, we can't "cure" you, but if I treat you with insulin, you will have a long, healthy life. Now, if you have cancer, we have various options to allow patients a longer quality of life than ever before.
It's never a good time to get diagnosed with cancer, but, there's never been a better time to be treated for cancer.
Q: How about more generally, what's going to be the next trend in healthcare?
MZ: I think we are moving further and further away from inpatient services and closer to the outpatient arena and moving into areas such as telehealth and telemonitoring. These new areas are allowing us to send devices home with patients to reflect on how the patients are doing and later contact us through telehealth to share data and progress.
I think digital technology and digital communication is the next great wave, not just through data such as electronic records, but through tangible resources that will deeply impact our communities. The application of artificial intelligence will be the next "boom."
Q: What is something your colleagues can do right now to manage their burnout?
MZ: Remember that we are in the healing and people business. Look into the reflective eyes of the patients we are helping and go back to your "why." I encourage my colleagues to ask themselves, "Why did you join this business in the first place?" Most people came to this dance not to make a lot of money but to be able to help the world. I would remind individuals that it is their job and responsibility. Periodically, we forget that, but it's really what keeps us going.
Q: What is a lesson you wished you learned sooner?
MZ: I wish I were smarter. I went into medicine to help people. I had not planned on becoming a business person, but had to learn the business along the way. I wish I had a bit more formal training in that so I could deliver on the business side, as I was confidentially able to on the medicine and people side. I wish I had done that earlier.
The first time I took a leadership position I was moving from an academic world, with grants and research efforts underway, into a true leadership role. I knew the term "accounts receivable" was really important, but I had no idea what it meant. I had to get support from those around me, who taught me and invested in me. I truly got on-the-job training, which led me to where I am today.
Q: What skills are needed to turn a good hospital leader into a great hospital leader?
MZ: I think there are two skills that are important: one is being a good listener, and the other is making sure that you can connect with staff at all levels.
Connected to that is "leadership by walking around." Leaders can't stay in their office and expect to have employees do what they ask of them. Leadership is, in part, getting individuals to do things they did not want to do but suddenly see as important. Great leaders build trust.
Q: Aside from the qualified worker shortage, what is the biggest challenge facing hospital leaders today?
MZ: Linked to the shortage, I believe the biggest challenge is maintaining the culture of putting patients and families first. We are in the people business. With everything we read about the shortage, there is so much reported on burnout expressed by employees. The most essential part of combatting that challenge is by keeping the culture of "people, passion and compassion" alive.
Q: What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
MZ: All leaders have good times and bad times. When things turn dark, I was told to "retreat to your vision, values and passion, and that will keep you on the path you started with." This lesson is something I fall back on periodically.