Over the course of the last year and a half, journalist Alison Moss has talked with practitioners across the country who are working on the frontlines of health and has gathered her impressions here.

Driven by inspiration and passion

When asked ‘what impressed me most about the stories I’ve gathered’, my first response was not what I would have expected. As a journalist with almost 20 years experience in storytelling, it’s not the depressing statistics, not the stories of daunting barriers to be overcome or even the innovative solutions to those challenges that stand out. It’s the inspiration and passion I’ve found in almost everyone I’ve interviewed. Whether they’re doctors, nurses, administrators, teachers or students, they all bring an astounding level of intellectual, emotional and spiritual commitment to their work. And that is the story from the frontlines that resonates with me most.

Equal treatment for all

All of these professionals bring their knowledge and experience to the table when it comes to figuring out how to overcome their patients’ barriers to access, but that’s to be expected. That’s what makes them professionals. What makes them stand out for me is that their personal reasons for doing this work stem from what appears to be their respect for the principle that everyone who seeks healthcare deserves not only equal medical treatment, but equal dignity and respect. Sometimes this springs from a personal faith, sometimes from a social conscience, but it is where they begin all their work and thinking. It is what drives them and it is, I think, part of what makes them such innovative and creative thinkers.

Living their commitment

They are also dogged in the pursuit of their passion. I have been deeply touched by the lengths to which they are willing to go to improve healthcare delivery in their sector of the frontlines. For some this means spending extra years in school in order to be invited to sit at the management table and make decisions that will affect change. For some it means leaving home and family to study and qualify as a nurse practitioner so they can provide more complete care in their own community or in remote nursing outposts. For some it means stepping outside their professional comfort zone to take on a new and daunting challenge just because they know it needs to be done. These people not only practice their profession, they live it and they are role models for us all.

Their challenges

Along the way I have asked all the people I’ve interviewed what they need to help them do their work. They ask for time – to learn more, to teach more, to get more work done, to recharge their batteries. They ask for greater public awareness of the challenges on the frontlines. They would like to be included in the public debate about healthcare. They ask for a greater sense of community with others doing similar work. Not one of them mentioned money in a serious way. Perhaps this is because they know it’s just not a possibility, but I think it may also be because they see clearly that it’s not just money that ultimately solves their problems. Breaking down barriers to healthcare requires more people willing to bring their intelligence, experience, compassion, creativity and incredible commitment to the frontlines. Whatever we can do to spread an infection of these qualities would be worth much more than money.

Alison Moss The Frontline Health Story Project